I am getting 3 Silkie chicks tomorrow from the feed store because no local breeders have any chicks hatching soon enough in age to my current babies (2 weeks old) to mix together right away.
These will be my first Silkies (I'm also a chicken newbie!)
So my question is, what should I look for when picking out my chicks from the 50 fluffy butts running around?! I know clean butts/bright eyes/straight beaks and legs, but what stuff Silkie-specific?
I want whites and blacks, and for them to be bearded.
Update:
OK, long story short feed store got them in early, we didn't know, and by the time we got there there were only 3 black chicks left out of all 50 silkies. So we picked out two (they put the other one left in with some other bantams where it was lovingly accepted, don't worry. Our feed store is WONDERFUL. They check for pasting up constantly. Anyway...). I'm brand new to chickens. Just got my first group (brahmas) two weeks ago. (The Silkies are separated from them by mesh right now because they are so tiny). They are in a big cardboard box brooder on my ping pong table in the dining room
Red heat lamp, plenty of food and water with electrolytes/vitamins.
My question is, do these Silkies look okay? One has an injured looking beak, but it has been like that since 2 mornings ago and it eats, drinks, poops, cuddles, etc. perfectly fine. Will it heal eventually? It doesn't seem to cause the chick any pain at all, its just worrisome. The other chick also eats, drinks, poos, and cuddles. They seem healthy, and are just in that sleepy few days old stage right now. They are getting more active by the day though. I took a pic of the other chicks healthy beak for comparison. I got them Sunday (yesterday) morning from the feed store, but THEY got them from a large hatchery, so I am assuming they are about 4-5 days old.
Also, they seem to be fluffyish, and each have five toes. I'm hoping they will be bearded, but I really have no idea how to tell. I am not expecting show quality (I had to get them now for vacation in beginning of June reasons, and no breeders had any), but I DO want to know if they look healthy and like they will at least resemble Silkies somewhat when larger. Any of you experts able to tell me anything? Thanks so much! Any info at all is appreciated.
These will be my first Silkies (I'm also a chicken newbie!)
So my question is, what should I look for when picking out my chicks from the 50 fluffy butts running around?! I know clean butts/bright eyes/straight beaks and legs, but what stuff Silkie-specific?
I want whites and blacks, and for them to be bearded.
Update:
OK, long story short feed store got them in early, we didn't know, and by the time we got there there were only 3 black chicks left out of all 50 silkies. So we picked out two (they put the other one left in with some other bantams where it was lovingly accepted, don't worry. Our feed store is WONDERFUL. They check for pasting up constantly. Anyway...). I'm brand new to chickens. Just got my first group (brahmas) two weeks ago. (The Silkies are separated from them by mesh right now because they are so tiny). They are in a big cardboard box brooder on my ping pong table in the dining room
My question is, do these Silkies look okay? One has an injured looking beak, but it has been like that since 2 mornings ago and it eats, drinks, poops, cuddles, etc. perfectly fine. Will it heal eventually? It doesn't seem to cause the chick any pain at all, its just worrisome. The other chick also eats, drinks, poos, and cuddles. They seem healthy, and are just in that sleepy few days old stage right now. They are getting more active by the day though. I took a pic of the other chicks healthy beak for comparison. I got them Sunday (yesterday) morning from the feed store, but THEY got them from a large hatchery, so I am assuming they are about 4-5 days old.
Also, they seem to be fluffyish, and each have five toes. I'm hoping they will be bearded, but I really have no idea how to tell. I am not expecting show quality (I had to get them now for vacation in beginning of June reasons, and no breeders had any), but I DO want to know if they look healthy and like they will at least resemble Silkies somewhat when larger. Any of you experts able to tell me anything? Thanks so much! Any info at all is appreciated.
Last edited:
