the silkie slickers

[LynnaePB]

I have heard mixed results about keeping multiple silkie cockerels in the same pen. Apparently some get along really well and some don't. I am going to try it next year with Archie and a few of his sons so I will add the results onto the group. I think if they have enough ladies and space they are fine together.

Good luck when you try! I would think if they had enough hens and space they might do alright too.

I tried a bachelor pen and it worked for awhile but lately a lot of my boys aren't getting along. A couple got in pretty bad fights, I've had to completely separate those boys. I wanted to grow them out to the first full molt to make some final picks but looks like that isn't going to be an option. I'll be trying to find homes for a lot of them.

I think for the rest I'm going to have to figure out different options while they aren't with hens. I hate having them each in small pens instead of one big one together but I don't know how else to keep them from fighting with one another in the long term.

He needs a new home

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Aww what a cutie! I hope you manage to find a great home for him!

I'm going to have to find homes for a lot of my chicks soon myself. I'm not looking forward to it, it's always stressful trying to find them homes.

how many eggs did yall get today from your fine silkies?

Five eggs today. Not great considering how many girls I have but a lot of them are broody or just coming off of being broody.

 

[Silkie2005]

Honestly you look forward to it but when the time comes you keep looking through them all like “hmm well should I keep that one, or maybe that one, or how about that one” Then when you see them go you are happy but then you don’t want to let them go!

When I start hatching again, I’ll most likely sell them as trios rather than single but I’ll have to see how it goes.

I’m looking forward to seeing what you have hatch! Still no fertiles from them?

No surprise I’m still waiting!

Yes there seems to be no life at all in any of the silkie eggs. I have maran and hybrid eggs in the incubator at the moment because Shelley started about January so they will hatch on 14th March. I will put some silkie ones in when these hatch out so about the 6th April I will have silkie chicks.....so long to wait .

I am planning this year on hatching out between 20 to 30 chicks so that I can choose the best ones then sell the not very good ones straight away for pets, keep the best 6 hens and 1 cockerel, then keep the best trio or two and try and sell them at the National or Federation? Not sure? Depends how it all works out.

 

[Silkie2005]

how many eggs did yall get today from your fine silkies?

Only 4 . They are all being free loaders!!!

 

[Silkie2005]

Good luck when you try! I would think if they had enough hens and space they might do alright too.

I tried a bachelor pen and it worked for awhile but lately a lot of my boys aren't getting along. A couple got in pretty bad fights, I've had to completely separate those boys. I wanted to grow them out to the first full molt to make some final picks but looks like that isn't going to be an option. I'll be trying to find homes for a lot of them.

I think for the rest I'm going to have to figure out different options while they aren't with hens. I hate having them each in small pens instead of one big one together but I don't know how else to keep them from fighting with one another in the long term.



Aww what a cutie! I hope you manage to find a great home for him!

I'm going to have to find homes for a lot of my chicks soon myself. I'm not looking forward to it, it's always stressful trying to find them homes.



Five eggs today. Not great considering how many girls I have but a lot of them are broody or just coming off of being broody.

Yes I will probably put one in with dad and just add one every generation (dont want to suddenly add five as it might become a huge shock!). Perhaps keep one on it's own with one or two ladies as a spare too.

 

[Fur-N-Fowl]

Good luck when you try! I would think if they had enough hens and space they might do alright too.

I tried a bachelor pen and it worked for awhile but lately a lot of my boys aren't getting along. A couple got in pretty bad fights, I've had to completely separate those boys. I wanted to grow them out to the first full molt to make some final picks but looks like that isn't going to be an option. I'll be trying to find homes for a lot of them.

I think for the rest I'm going to have to figure out different options while they aren't with hens. I hate having them each in small pens instead of one big one together but I don't know how else to keep them from fighting with one another in the long term.



Aww what a cutie! I hope you manage to find a great home for him!

I'm going to have to find homes for a lot of my chicks soon myself. I'm not looking forward to it, it's always stressful trying to find them homes.



Five eggs today. Not great considering how many girls I have but a lot of them are broody or just coming off of being broody.

Thankyou, I’m sure he will get a home eventually! Finding homes is always a stressful part of raising chicks though

Yes there seems to be no life at all in any of the silkie eggs. I have maran and hybrid eggs in the incubator at the moment because Shelley started about January so they will hatch on 14th March. I will put some silkie ones in when these hatch out so about the 6th April I will have silkie chicks.....so long to wait .

I am planning this year on hatching out between 20 to 30 chicks so that I can choose the best ones then sell the not very good ones straight away for pets, keep the best 6 hens and 1 cockerel, then keep the best trio or two and try and sell them at the National or Federation? Not sure? Depends how it all works out.

Haha the wait is the worst part!

Last year I hatched about 80 ish chicks (trying to remember) and I was hoping to hatch more than that this year but I’m still waiting so I doubt I’ll manage that!

I think it’ll be a good experience taking some there to try and sell, you can then discuss things with potential buyers who are genuinely interested

 

[Fur-N-Fowl]

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[Silkie2005]

Thankyou, I’m sure he will get a home eventually! Finding homes is always a stressful part of raising chicks though



Haha the wait is the worst part!

Last year I hatched about 80 ish chicks (trying to remember) and I was hoping to hatch more than that this year but I’m still waiting so I doubt I’ll manage that!

I think it’ll be a good experience taking some there to try and sell, you can then discuss things with potential buyers who are genuinely interested

Yep! Will be very interesting and as you said a good experience. Looking forward to all the shows and sales to come this year! . Can't believe it is March already!

 

[Silkie2005]

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I love watching chickens drink or eat. I love how they like gurgling with the water and look suspiciously at you whilst they eat, like I am going to steal their food!

 

[Fur-N-Fowl]

Yep! Will be very interesting and as you said a good experience. Looking forward to all the shows and sales to come this year! . Can't believe it is March already!

Every year fly’s my buy this one is going super quick! I just want the warmer weather to get here. That being said, it has been quite pleasant today and yesterday but there’s still a slight chill...

Never know, I may see you around at shows if we end up going to any of the same ones

 

[baby-blue]

Here’s my juvenile showgirl! Hopefully picking up some more soon to add to the breeding pens. I have my hands full of hatchery quality silkie roos - all of them are as rude as they come! I have one lovely buff hen, black roo, and hopeful blue hen, though. I’ll be getting pictures later!