fujcube Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 Hi all, As my incubator will be empty this weekend and I have another broody on the go, I am thinking about getting some Silkie eggs to hatch out. As I have not kept Silkies before, I would appreciate all your comments and suggestions on whether I should get Bantams or Large Fowl. Will probably get eggs for White, Black and Blue Silkies, nice to have them running around the front garden Regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 I really like the bantam 'miniature' Silkies but proper ones are hard to source the large fowl version are a pretty decent size and are super but again not easy to source So many seem to fall in the middle and these sadly are all to common, these are often sold as bantams I guess its all down to personal preference, the little ones are probably easier to house and easier kept confined over winter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 I have both sizes (or at least my black and partridge girls are considerably bigger than my white and gold girls) and would say that from the point of view of easiness to keep, it makes little difference. Standard girls are still smaller than your average hypbrid so it really is down to your personal preference. If you like little chooks like Sablepoots or Pekins then go for the small Silkies but it you want a cuddle bug, or if you would rather eggs that are bigger than normal banty eggs, then go for the larger size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 I'd say mine are big ones - their eggs are almost standard size, like the large fowl. I'd like some miniatures. I have this longing for a black silkie & I want to call her Lollipop. Don't know why - think it has somethin to do with Lewis's Cilla! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 My longing is for a blue Silkie and I don't mind at all whether she is big or small. Is there anywhere on this forum, by the way, where one can post 'wanted' items? The sales area of the breeds section just seems to be about birds that are for sale and there are none on there (I also want a chamois Polish x Frizzle ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 I've no idea whether my girls are small or standard sized as I have nothing to compare them against! Their eggs weigh about 42-44g... does that mean they're standards? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 I'm not very good on egg weights but if the eggs are nearly the same size as a super market normal sized egg (e.g. not one of the 'large' supermarket ones), say about 6cm long, then your Silkies would be Standard. If, however, they are little eggs, say about 4.5cm, then you have banty Silkies . . . I think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 I dont know about the eggs but the weights for the different birds are below (taken from the Silkie Club site) You'll see that the bantams are actually very small LARGE FOWL: Male 1.8 1kg (4lbs) Female 1.36kg (3lbs) BANTAM SILKIES: Male 600g (22ozs) Female 500g (l8ozs) Like I said before so many fall in to a medium size bracket which isnt correct (doesnt make them less loveable though!) CC - we dont have a wanted section, some other forums do though. You could post a thread asking if anyone knows of a breeder of the birds that you want though, a lot of the time someone will come up with a recommendation - I think Scarlettohara sourced some Silkies in the south of the country recently so its worth pm messaging her Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 Many thanks, Redwing. I think my Silkies are in-betweenies but not too bad. My cockerel when last weighed was 1.11kg and my little gold Silkie 1.08 but my black girl is quite a bit larger than her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 I'm not very good on egg weights but if the eggs are nearly the same size as a super market normal sized egg (e.g. not one of the 'large' supermarket ones), say about 6cm long, then your Silkies would be Standard. If, however, they are little eggs, say about 4.5cm, then you have banty Silkies . . . I think Thanks Cheaky Chook! Think I must have bantams then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 I've pmd you cheaky chook Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted July 20, 2011 Share Posted July 20, 2011 Many thanks, scarlettohara, the hunt is on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fujcube Posted July 20, 2011 Author Share Posted July 20, 2011 Well, that's the incubator taken care of, 6 of each heading my way, Blue Silkie, Black Silkie and White Silkie. All of them are large fowl. Now to find something to keep my broody busy!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted July 21, 2011 Share Posted July 21, 2011 Once you have your Silkies all grown up you won't need an incubator any more. Silkies can be used to hatch out anything even ducks . . . perhaps not Ostritches or Emus though. Conjures up quite a picture Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
