What did you do with your flock today?

[FrankieDoodle]

awww she's so cute!

Thank you!

 

[CreveChris]

I got a silkie today!! I’m so excited. I’ve wanted silkies for years, but could never get any.
Meet Harriet. She’s old and blind, and is my new house silkie. View attachment 2187637

Precious! Is it ethical to get a Silkie to raise baby chicks in a breeding program? I've been reading about it...

 

[pennyJo1960]

I have 4 that is their main job .. Adore the little aliens but yes I have them to raise or brood for me

 

[CreveChris]

I have 4 that is their main job .. Adore the little aliens but yes I have them to raise or brood for me

Great, thank you so much! My chicks are doing so well I just greatly dislike putting them back in the brooder at night. They'll be 8 weeks Monday.

it would be wonderful if my future chicks could grow up in a separate house with a broody Silkie and enjoy a more natural life on the pasture grass here in Florida (where it's far from cold--I supplement with an extra waterer filled with electrolytes).

 

[ronott1]

Great, thank you so much! My chicks are doing so well I just greatly dislike putting them back in the brooder at night. They'll be 8 weeks Monday.

it would be wonderful if my future chicks could grow up in a separate house with a broody Silkie and enjoy a more nature life on the pasture grass here in Florida (where it's far from cold--I supplement with an extra waterer filled with electrolytes).

You should not need to put them into a brooder at night at 8 weeks old. They should be fully feathered and ready for not heat

 

[FrankieDoodle]

Precious! Is it ethical to get a Silkie to raise baby chicks in a breeding program? I've been reading about it...

I don’t know why it wouldn’t be. You would have to get a lot of silkies if you plan to hatch a large amount of eggs. I doubt they could sit on a lot. XD

 

[pennyJo1960]

My silkie co brood all the time.. Like I said I have 4 they have their own two room coop ..
they play in their tractor did get their heads wet .. The coop is for babies .. I can take eggs as one most often will brood them ... With that said, take new peeps in put it under one instant
broody

 

[CreveChris]

You should not need to put them into a brooder at night at 8 weeks old. They should be fully feathered and ready for not heat

I'm glad to hear it! Sources I've read say 6-8 weeks, but I feel like every resource is calibrated to Canada or cold climates. My chicks are in an environment so warm I have to watch for heat, not cold.

 

[NewBoots]

Mine were outside at 5 days with a heat plate this Spring. Night time temps got down to 31. They were in a raised brooder with fluffy shavings to trap the warmth.

 

[ronott1]

I'm glad to hear it! Sources I've read say 6-8 weeks, but I feel like every resource is calibrated to Canada or cold climates. My chicks are in an environment so warm I have to watch for heat, not cold.

Mine here in Woodland CA are often off of the heat plate within three weeks!