Have an area for the chickens to roost and nest. They adore human enterprise or … While you can place the eggs in an incubator, silkies are known to be excellent brooders. Although most silkie owners would say they don't lay many eggs, they are great brooders and great for show! Because silkies can’t fly, they don’t need perches to roost on. Care. This includes a bar they can roost on and hay so they can lay eggs. Feed . And the hens are supremely happy to hatch the eggs of other birds. Food- perfect or adequate feeding is a crucial factor in the care of silkie chickens. If you have a brooding hen or a hen with chicks, place a separate feeder and drinker close to it. This includes a water container, a feeder, some perches and some nesting boxes (one per each chicken). How many days does it take for silkie eggs to hatch? Since the feet are feathery, they will collect dirt, poo, and possibly bugs like bird lice or mites. If the males start to fight, however, separate them. Do silkie chickens make good pets? They do have a few other features that help them, an internationally firm favorite among poultry keepers. Have fun with chickens with Silkies!! Fertile Eggs Sources and Links. It is important to check the feet thoroughly every day and clean them if they get stuff caked in the feathers. ", whoever wrote this good, sound article on keeping the birds, especially adult ones. Make sure that part of the yard is shaded or covered so that the silkies have protection from rain and heavy sun. If your interested in getting yourself a few silkie hens, you just need to know how to care for them. How do I take care of silkie chicks until 6 weeks old? If the hen refuses to leave its eggs or if it acts aggressively when you approach its nest, it means that it is brooding. Other signs of mites include restlessness, excessive biting of the feathers, ruffled or patchy feathers, and skin lesions. If your birds have been diagnosed with it, you will either need to permanently quarantine them from the healthy birds or euthanize them. Give it to them 6 weeks before slaughter. Silkies make great pets and their fluffy feathers have gotten them the name 'silkie chickens'. Proper and adequate feeding is main consideration for caring for silkie chickens. Cooperative Extensions and other Governmental Services. 1 Steps. Silkies are different from other breeds of chickens in several ways and these differences can be reflected in the type of coop you end up designing or purchasing. They are easy going poultry that are easy to raise, fun to watch, and great for children and for show chickens. The feathers wet easily and the birds can become chilled if this happens. ", "I'm getting a chicken and this helped me to know what to do and when to do it. They lay only a few cream or tinted colored eggs. ", "I didn't know that you should have more than one hen when pairing for breeding. Silkies make great pet chickens, especially for children. This is because their feathers lack barbicels that traditionally link the feathers together to give it the overall smooth look most birds have. Hang the feeder about 2 inches from the ground so feces can't drop into the food. This article has been viewed 132,355 times. If the weather is above 100 degrees, you may need to provide a fan or some other type of cooling system in your chicken coop. She is also a Member of the Academy of Equine Veterinary Nursing Technicians since 2011. All windows and top openings should be covered with mesh. It may vary bird to bird. If you want to care for silkie chickens, keep them in a coop with wire mesh that has holes no larger than 0.5 inches so predators can't get in. The benefits of letting your silkies outside during the day are that they will be happier and healthier, they'll eat your bugs and provide fertilizer for your plants, most of their diet is made up from the stuff inside the ground and grass and you won't need to spend lots of money on a larger coop or chicken run. Symptoms of this disease include a gray or misshapen eye, lesions on the skin, and weight loss. Collect your silkies eggs. The water containers must be filled with fresh water daily and they should be cleaned at least once a week. The quantity of a feed relies on the sort of feed, and the length of your flock. So with normal feathers chickens are able to fluff up when they are cold and trap their body heat between their feathers and their body. Here are the caring tips for the silkie chicken: Feed them with the crumbles instead of going for the pellets because they are large and hard to eat. the thick fluffy feathers can make identification of parasites more difficult. Provide suitable housing before you bring your silkies home. Silkies are so docile that they will tolerate bathing well, especially if you start washing the feet when they are chicks. The Silkie breed is fairly resistant to the cold but are very sensitive to high temperatures. These are just a few highlights, though. #1 Temperament. Leave the hen and its eggs alone. Other than that, these birds have relatively few requirements. She is also a Member of the Academy of Equine Veterinary Nursing Technicians since 2011. Silkie Chickens are identified for being among the most gentle or docile chickens. You can move the chicks back to the coop as soon as they hatch. If it gets really cold during winter consider adding a heat lamp in their coop so that they can stay warm. This breed of chickens are usually selective pertaining to their diet; what to feed baby silkie chickens is a household question asked by both breeders and pet owners. Plus, the meat is rich in amino acids, protein, and vitamin B. Ancient Chinese writings hold a great amount of information about Silkies. The standard for American Silkies bantams. Although most silkie owners would say they don't lay many eggs, they are great brooders and great for show! The chickens should be fed a protein efficient diet, made up of grains, seeds, and vegetation. Silkie chickens are a type of backyard chicken. Follow all notes and one cannot go wrong. Silkie chicks are just like any other chicks. Biosecurity. [1] X Research source You can order a premade coop online or build your own. Take this into consideration as you choose where you get your chickens. A well placed peck to the head will result in death. As long as you keep them clean and healthy, they will live for up 7 years. Silkies generally require smaller coops than other chickens. Apr 18, 2016 - How to Care for Silkie Chickens (with Pictures) | eHow ", "This article was super helpful, especially since we are new silkie owners!". This will ensure that they get all of the required nutrients each day. they are well-known for their sweet, and friendly personality. Keep your silkies away from aggressive hens. Silkies also need ample shelter to protect them from the harsh weather such as rain, hail, snow, wind and they also need a shady and cool spot to protect them from the sun during summer. That is why it is often incorporated in soups and sauces and not eaten outright as a breast or fried in large pieces. (When chicks, do just the feet, not the whole body, as you don't want them to be chilled!). Approved. Funding Resources (Loans/Grants) Game Bird Breeders. For tips on how to spot common illnesses in silkie chickens, read on! This article was co-authored by Ryan Corrigan, LVT, VTS-EVN. Silkies cannot defend themselves and all the fluff around their heads can cause them to not see well which is why you have to make sure the coop is predator proof or at least invest in a predator proof coop. These birds can eat regular chicken feed or layer pellets on a daily basis. You can buy a dusting powder at a pet store, livestock store, or online. If you are going to raise your silkies inside the coop then it does have to be bigger than usual due to the fact that the silkies will be living there for the rest of their lives. Add a few other items to the coop. You could also consider giving them grit which helps them digest their food. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. June 6, 2018 April 28, 2020 by vjppoultry, posted in New Silkies. They are very good for backyard flock. Chicks should be fed a broiler starter instead of a chick starter if you want to keep them for meat. Provide water for your silkies at all time. Any drop of blood or open bare spot is an invitation for the other chicks to peck at it. What is the normal life expectancy of a silkie? Ryan Corrigan is a Licensed Veterinary Technician in California. You could also purchase a coop with a run if you wanted to. In fact, another name for the Silkie is the Chinese silk chicken. With silkies … Be careful when collecting the eggs as they are fragile and one drop means a small mess! Care for the silkie chicken has always been a conventional issue; particularly regarding their feeding. By using our site, you agree to our. Get updates delivered right to your inbox! 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