What to look for on a Silkie babychick or grown one ?

[Denise661]

I was told make sure it has 5 toes. But does size matter? The smaller the better? The fluffier /silkiest the more espensive? Is it true?
What's the main thing on a good quality silkie?
Tia

 

[lclough1998]

I have wondered the same, tagging along to see what answers you get.

 

[ladychicken&Ducklover]

Im hanging around also.

Hoping someone will also mention how to help the babies not be so psycho .

Poor babies, I cant even slowly move around them without them just running, squeaking, and huddling in the corner.

 

[lclough1998]

so since no one has jumped in, what I have heard is you want 5 toes, compact bodies, tight wings, good round top hat, black skin, Silkies need extra vitamins, so you add 1/2 dropper of Polyvisol no iron to a quart of water once a month or so. When picking them up and this goes for any chick, try to come at them from the side not above, because they can't see you and predators come from above. Try to keep your brooder up off the ground so you are closer to eye level. Win them over with treats when they are over 6 weeks old, protiens like meat and eggs are good for them. Be careful buying them, be sure to check the toes, I bought4 chicks from a local gal (Well, local as in only 2 hours away) that claimed these chicks were from eggs from cjsilkies or cjsexotics but 2 of them had 5 toes on 1 foot. When they sleep, they twitter and I love that. THey puppy pile and you have to check their nostrils cause they will get clogged with moist feather so you need to trim them up a little. I think hen raised are calmer then bator/brooder box raised.

anyone have any thoughts? corrections?

 

[Reurra]

I just got my first silkie. Thanks for the info!! Im sticking around cuz I want to learn more!!

 

[chickenzoo]

]It all depends if you are looking for just a pet or looking to show and what quality you are paying for. Typically you want a nice blue ear lobe, nice full topknot,nice full beard if they are bearded... five even toes on each foot with feathering going down the middle toe. Nice full cushion, nice dark eyes and a dark purple compact comb and wattle. Feathering should be shredded looking on the flight feathers etc...
Even with good quality birds, their chicks can throw four toed chicks or chicks with lesser quality topknots. You pay more for Silkies with all the correct features and those that have awesome topknots and cushions.... Hope that helps.
Also I found that may of the silkies with less topknot are more active and do better free ranging for a time because they can see around them better. They often make nice pets too. I have some very nice Silkies but the one that is a house Silkie is one named String Bean. She is a poor excuse for a Silkie... Lol.... Poor topknot and cushion ....but she loved me from a chick and she is all personality.

 

[SuperChickenDude327]

]It all depends if you are looking for just a pet or looking to show and what quality you are paying for. Typically you want a nice blue ear lobe, nice full topknot,nice full beard if they are bearded... five even toes on each foot with feathering going down the middle toe. Nice full cushion, nice dark eyes and a dark purple compact comb and wattle. Feathering should be shredded looking on the flight feathers etc...
Even with good quality birds, their chicks can throw four toed chicks or chicks with lesser quality topknots. You pay more for Silkies with all the correct features and those that have awesome topknots and cushions.... Hope that helps.
Also I found that may of the silkies with less topknot are more active and do better free ranging for a time because they can see around them better. They often make nice pets too. I have some very nice Silkies but the one that is a house Silkie is one named String Bean. She is a poor excuse for a Silkie... Lol.... Poor topknot and cushion ....but she loved me from a chick and she is all personality.

I myself have a chick named Dusty. She is, well, a poor excuse for a silkie, as you said. She doesn't have leg feathers!!!

Or a topknot. Though, she's only two months old. I'm hoping that her feathers are just late coming in. But she's awesome. Enjoys getting picked up and everything.

 

[erinszoo]

I have my first silkie this year too. It's a bantam and sweet as molasses. It's a little skittish when we first pick it up but once it's roosted on us it settles right down and almost coos. I know almost nothing about what they are supposed to look like but mine has blue ears and a purple comb and wattles. We think it's probably a roo but it's too young to crow and such yet. It has five toes and feathering down the legs and feet with black skin. This is a good pic of it's comb and wattles but it doesn't show his bright blue ears or feet very well. Someone posted they need vitamins?? Why is that?

 

[chickenzoo]

Some people put vitamins in their water more often then other breeds because many Silkies are more prone to wry neck than other breeds.
Erinszoo, yours does look like a little boy. Pullets will have almost no noticeable comb at that age.... Very cute thou