Omlet Smart Autodoor - New in box

[annettec]

We previously had a Silkie chicken who unfortunately died after losing weight, but had always been quite quiet and not as active as the other chickens we had (large hybrid girls) I had always put her quieter behaviour down to being a Silkie breed but when she lost all the weight and then died I wondered if the behaviour was due to illness as she was only about 8 months when she died.

 

We suddenly had the chance of a new Silkie yesterday from a lady up the road and couldn't resist. I know that she has only been with us 1 day and left all her Silkie friends to come to a strange new house with a large cream legbar who is so dopey she doesn't seem to have noticed her arrival (both are about the same age 20 weeks) and two bantams that are broody so on the nest all the time but she seems quiet and a little in-active like our previous Silkie. She is eating and drinking but does lots of just standing still and does not have the natural curiosity of all the other chickens ???????

 

So, after all my waffling is the normal quiet behaviour for Silkies or are we looking at another possibly poorly one?

 

Thanks for any thoughts

[beach chick]

erm, I dont know. I have always kept Silkies with big girls, and found them to be just as active as the bigger ones - although they do go broody at the drop of a hat. hope your girl is ok.

[Kirstine]

It's early days and some chickens (like some people) go very quiet when exposed to new surroundings, while others go a bit bonkers. I wouldn't worry unless she is still like this in a few days time.

[Patricia W]

Maybe she needs another Silkie friend. I find my breeds hang out together.

 

Tricia

[Mollie333]

Silkies are quiet when first come. When i got my girls, i had serious doubts on the black one, Pat, but it was actually just because she was new, but it was the white one i was worried about in a few weeks time.

 

Coming from my breeder and vets mouth NOT mine.

Silkies are prone to diseases, and bullying, and are generally a unhealthy breed. I've had two. One that couldn't see propperly, had slight blindness in BOTH eyes.. So got taken by the fox, and one that got a disease simiular to Mareks, and her legs went and had to be PTS.

 

Go and check the bird over, you don't want to be getting a poorly bird and introducing to your flock, which will then also catch it. Keep it in icolation for a few weeks if you have doubt, worm and mite powder her. And should be fine.

 

Or you could try getting another bird! The same size and breed maybe. When Peggy died, Pat was finding it hard to hang around with the others. So i introduced another Bantam to her. No, not just a reason to tell OH you need more chickens.

Goodluck.

 

Edit: Tricia, you beat me to it !

[Patricia W]

But you were more eloquent!

 

I completely agree about the vulnerabilities of Silkies. I have Polands and they like Silkies are subject to a number of genetic related ailments which hybrids don't get. Having said that, the ones who survive adolescence seem to be as tough as old boots!

 

Tricia

[holz]

I never know Silkies were particularly vulnerable! I have a Silkie, and she is top dog....no one messes with Marge! Apart from some over affectionate pecking at the moment (which she just stands and allows!).....she also sounds more like a Donkey than a chicken, which I'm hoping fools the neighbours into thinking it's not our chickens that make all the noise!

 

I guess they're all different!

 

With regards to getting another one.....Marge and my Pekin are the best of friends

[Space Chick]

My silkie big Suze is a bit of a loaner, but she's very active and what she lacks in size, she makes up for in noise

[chick wiggle]

I had two silkies, one unfortunately died, not sure what of, she deteriorated over a week, she couldnt eat or drink for herself. They were never loud or overly social birds but since losing Sweetpea, Angel the other one seems to have gone more into her shell. She also seems to have sight problems often missing corn she goes for. We have trimmed her hair do away from her eyes but she still has problems and has taken to staying in the run while all the others run off freeranging. She is very much a loner. I worry about her but she still does eat and drink and when she has the run to herself she seems to love dustbathing in the woodchip area. So, while she still has a quality of life we just let her get on with it.

I wont be getting any more silkies though, they seem too delicate and fragile to me.

[annettec]

Thanks everyone for your reassurance. She slept in with the other girls last night for the first time. We waited till dark and then just popped her in with the other three and so far so good

In fact she seems much more lively today and has free ranged for a couple of hours scratching and even a little dust bathing so much more normal chicken behaviour.

Thanks again