Mrs

[shona]

That's alright Lolalayla, it's nice to hear everyone's advice and experiences with Silkies.

[chestnutmare]

Do people have chickens for sales at shows? *feels simple*

[Redwing]

Not always no

 

There are usually sales pens at the big shows, Reading Bantam Classic, Welsh National and the Welsh Fed are the ones within vague striking distance of you CM

 

Some local shows have sales pens, possibly 1 in 6 maybe so not very common

[chestnutmare]

Thanks, Redwing. Will have to see if and when Debs goes... that is if I can magic room and another hen house.

[squiffs]

Re. the noise thing; My silkies are pretty quiet - it's again a very chicken specific thing, my skyline is a little mare, she has a horrible squawk like a seagull being strangled, and she does it incessantly. It's loud, horrible and my neighbours probably hate me. My OH keeps threatening to get rid of her because it's so bad. My silkies are little angels in comparison

[LolaLayla]

I think I will get a couple in the New Year as they sound wonderful. I have been looking at my present set up trying to work out the best way to position two eglus and runs. At the moment the one that is set up is in a very dry spot as it is under a large tree and holly bush which is an ideal area for winter. I had an idea that the other elgu could go in the WIR with the rabbits if Silkies are docile and would not peck them but I think that may cause other problems. If the rabbits get access to the present eglu they go in and 'mark' it so it would get rather messy. On the other hand the hens may go into the rabbit shed and I may end up with a mite problem so I think I am best to have two eglu and run set ups. It is just trying to place them to use as little ground area and have access to the egg ports....but I will manage Sorry to ramble - just working it out in my head. Of course the best would be if they all loved each other and lived happily together in the one eglu

[craftyhunnypie]

Silkies are lovely, but incredibly broody, even this weather. They can also poo for England, whoppers too.

However, I will be hatching some next year when the weather warms up as I really do love them, their hairdo's & their stroppy hormonal characters.

Emma.x

[squiffs]

Poo for England!? Mine do the tiniest poos, and will sit on my lap for a long time with no accidents... Glad I don't have poopy ones! My hybrids on the other hand, do do whoppers.

[LolaLayla]

My girls are pretty impressive in that department I do poo pick every day

[craftyhunnypie]

My Silkies aren't the diddy dainty ones they are the full sized silkies. Even their eggs (when they fancy laying) are a decent size small egg, nothing like a little weeny bantam / pekin egg.

Now my pekins lay teeny pellet poops.

Emma.x

[LolaLayla]

I will need to get the full sized ones if there is to be any hope of integration at a later date. Good to hear about the eggs Although I know not to expect anything like the number I get from my present girls.

[squiffs]

Mine cope okay with my original omlet hybrid girlies (pictured) but since we got 5 more big girls they tend to steer well clear of the whole flock.

 

[LolaLayla]

Lovely photo Squiffs. It is good to see that they can get on so perhaps my hope of them living together is not impossible

[Chortle Chook]

I love your photos of the little golden Silkies, Squiffs. They always look so sweet together

 

Regarding egg size, my Silkies lay me an egg for breakfast most days, sometimes 2 eggs, between the 3 of them. They also lay all through the winter - the little angels. Though my girlies are 'in-betweenies' in size, these eggs are not tiny. They are big enough for me to eat them as boiled eggs with the normal sized horn egg spoons from Omlet.

[chestnutmare]

I called at horse shop this evening and then called into the pet shop next door (they sell chickens) with this thread (silkies) in mind. They were about to close so I was hurrying. There were two silkies there marked as POL hens - one was about the size of my white star and the other was bigger than my white star.

[LolaLayla]

I called at horse shop this evening and then called into the pet shop next door (they sell chickens) with this thread (silkies) in mind. They were about to close so I was hurrying. There were two silkies there marked as POL hens - one was about the size of my white star and the other was bigger than my white star.

 

Oh what are you going to do I know you were comparing them to the size of your white star but were they white too

[chestnutmare]

I called at horse shop this evening and then called into the pet shop next door (they sell chickens) with this thread (silkies) in mind. They were about to close so I was hurrying. There were two silkies there marked as POL hens - one was about the size of my white star and the other was bigger than my white star.

 

Oh what are you going to do I know you were comparing them to the size of your white star but were they white too

 

No they were dark in colour (don't know what colour exactly) and I just expected them to be a lot smaller. They must be the 'regular' size - they're obviously not bantams but is this the normal size? I told OH I saw silkies and he asked did I bring one home.... so I'm wondering if this is 'permission' for me to expand.

[LolaLayla]

I told OH I saw silkies and he asked did I bring one home.... so I'm wondering if this is 'permission' for me to expand.

Sounds as if he wouldn't be surprised if any turned up My OH has just given up I think There do not seem to be any places round here with hens to see I am just holding out hope for the Scottish Poultry show. I will wait with interest to see what you decide to do

[Redwing]

Proper large fowl Silkies are a decent size, bigger than a white star so that sounds correct

[LolaLayla]

Redwing - You said that they were quite expensive. How much would you expect to pay for large Silkies approximately

[Redwing]

From £25 I suppose with the average probably being £35 for a pet quality Silkie

 

Some really good examples go for much more, a very well known breeder got £450 for a trio at auction

 

When approaching breeders make it clear that you want them for pets, they will often sell ones that dont make the grade for showing at a reasonable price

[chestnutmare]

LL, maybe it's just as well not having a place selling chickens near you - it's dangerous, the potential to purchase!! I've had my heart set on bantams next.

 

Thanks, Redwing. They were bigger than I expected. I must be imagining a bantam form...?

[LolaLayla]

From £25 I suppose with the average probably being £35 for a pet quality Silkie

 

Some really good examples go for much more, a very well known breeder got £450 for a trio at auction

 

When approaching breeders make it clear that you want them for pets, they will often sell ones that dont make the grade for showing at a reasonable price

 

Thank you for that most useful advice. I do not need them to be show quality and would rather avoid the £450 (as would OH )

[chestnutmare]

They were within that price at the pet shop here too. I wouldn't spend £450 for a trio either, not unless they laid golden eggs.

[LolaLayla]

LL, maybe it's just as well not having a place selling chickens near you - it's dangerous, the potential to purchase!! I've had my heart set on bantams next.

It is very frustrating though once you have your mind set on something It is a bit sad but most of my thoughts are on chickens just now....I am really boring my friends. Thankfully I can come onto the forum and chat to you folks