What color silkies?

[Sissy]

I think they are cute give them a chance
if you dont want the roos deposit them at the animal
shelter. kids working there may take at least one home.

this is my first time at having silkys I love them
I have 4 in the brooder.1 a month old, and 3 are about 10 days old. all white. with featherd legs black skin and 5 toes.
the 2 may be buff not sure yet. about the color.
I do have one roo that I know.and the older
silky cuddles them under neath her. as
tho she were the mom.They are very sweet
I handle mine all the time to socialise them.
good luck with yours.

 

[thecochincoop]

I woudn't breed them. They are pet quality, cute, but not really worth continuing on. They are all black, may be sunburned so they are a little lighter.

 

[Funky Feathers]

Gold in the hackles (neck feathers) is a big no-no for breeding & showing. They have tiny crests and not much foot feathering. Definitely pet quality roos.

 

[chicksngoats]

Thank you all so much for the good info...sounds like they are definitely not worth continuing. All that being said, I may breed one once (assuming I have a hen) just for fun for the kiddos, they would love that.

Question-could the lack of foot feathers and topknot be due to their age? (I think they are only 9 weeks old).

Here is a better picture of the one that I think is a hen...either way I will keep her/him...he/she is waaaaay too sweet. Waits to be picked up whenever I feed the other hens and wants to eat out of my hand

I have one other bird that doesn't have any waddles, but is bigger than the other birds ( I think it is older, not sure) and I'm thinking/hoping it is a hen

At the very least I could keep the hens to hatch some other eggs for me since they are supposed to be good broodies...

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

The birds are much more than 9 weeks old. Yes foot feathering and crests develop over time, but the ones pictured are old enough that they should be mostly developed.

 

[iluvmychicks]

They look around 4 months to me, the combs on the males are pretty big. The color appears black but it could be dark blue as Sonoran stated. Blacks can turn that brownish color you speak of when they get a lot of direct sun, it bleaches the black to brown. As far as quality, it depends what your in it for, if you just want a cute back yard flock and have fun with it, then don't worry so much about type. If your looking for a better quality silkie then I personally would find better stock to breed from. Regardless, have fun with it, silkies are wonderful birds

Shari

 

[chicksngoats]

That would make sense if they are older, since the roos are crowing already...
They were in quite a bit of direct sun for the last month or so, since I was moving their coop, so that makes sense as well.

Oh well, I'll keep a few for fun and start with some better stock in the spring.

Thanks so much for all the help! I really appreciate you guys

Thanks!