What Do I Need to Know Before Getting a Silkie?

[GertrudeLover01]

Hi! I am getting any age silkie girlie girl in August and is there anything I need to know before getting her? I do have a few questions:

1- When my little princess is older, will I need to trim her foot feathers? if so, how much and how?
2- Will I need to bathe her? She's going to be either buff or black.
3- Is there anything special I need to do for her in very hot weather or very cold weather?
4- Any tricks or anything fun to do with her?
5- Chicken names??? I have no idea what to name her!! I'm thinking Prissy (Luney Tunes) or Duchess or Princess or Camilla (Muppets)

Thanks!

 

[RawrOsaur200]

I actually have alot of the same questions!! I did some research and have heard that on #3 That its most likely for silkies to get lice or mites in warmer or hot weather. Im planning on bathing them just in case. Just to get them clean and get them used to grooming.I heard that nail trimmng is recommended but optional.

And I have one trick do with my mix silkie...not sure what hes mixed with.But its usually for food and what I do is I do a hand gesture and as my hand goes up im tellin g him to jump and he'll jump into my lap and I wil reward him with food

But other then that I have nothing else!! If you figure out anything for the other questions please tell me

I've been thinking about those too!!!Hope I waas atleast helpful!!


GOODLUCK AND ENJOY YOUR SILKIE!!!!

 

[Sweetlilbaby]

Well for any chickens I suggest getting DE for them to dust bath in (prevents lice, or mites), If you want to handle the a lot trim their nails so you wont get scratched by accident.

 

[brownboi2012]

how long did it take you to teach him that nice trick? i have some silkies and i'd like to try that too

 

[silkiemelon]

1. No, you do not.

2. Usually you don't have to, but if they get muddy it will just stick to their fluff, so in that case yes.

3. Like everyone else said, just check for lice, mites etc, they are very hardy in winter, and in summer they can get overheated (they have a lot of fluff) but as long as you have a shaded area they're good.

4. They love treats, and so I kind of trained mine to come when I whistle using treats. But now they just come when I whistle in general, they don't even expect a treat anymore. They are like small fluffy dogs, except they make you breakfast

5. Funny chicken deserve funny names, so don't hold back.

Have fun with your silkie!

 

[GertrudeLover01]

Thanks for all the replies!

 

[RawrOsaur200]

how long did it take you to teach him that nice trick? i have some silkies and i'd like to try that too

hmm..... im not quite sure...i noticed that he like to jump on my lap so i started doing that gesture before he jumped and it only took about a week before he understood what it meant.its very helpful that way i dont have to struggle to get
him on my lap!

 

[RawrOsaur200]

but of course you have to reward them with either food or treats

 

[GertrudeLover01]

Yeah! I am so excited.
Please look at this post:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/679940/so-many-questions

I need to know answers! Thanks bunches!

 

[RawrOsaur200]

Yeah! I am so excited.
Please look at this post:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/679940/so-many-questions

I need to know answers! Thanks bunches!

no problem!