KLS Chick and Silkie chicken care Page
Bringing Home your New Silkie Chicks
Silkie chickens make wonderful pets because they are beautiful, calm and desirous of affection. There are some differences between Silkie chickens and other breeds of chicken. Below you will find some information that will help you successfully raise your new Silkie chicks!
- Set up your brooder a day before you get your chicks. Make sure that the temp is set to 100 F on one side of the brooder.
- Silkie chicks are smaller in size. It is best to keep similar type and age together so they don't get bullied.
- Silkies have fluffy feathers that hold heat to the body. Be careful to give them places to go in the brooder that are cooler.
- Silkies have little beaks. They do well with crushed feed over larger pellets. So, select crumbles.
- Be very gentle and move slowly when moving around them. Have patience. Frequent, gentle handling will help your new Silkie chicks develop a bond with you. Be mindful of temperature. Don't keep them away from the brooder too long.
- Use a heavy, small watering container designed for chickens. You can use a dish with marbles but, put the watering container up on something so that they do not fall in and drown! You can elevate the watering dish. Change water daily or when you see bedding or feces in the water.
- Dip their beak into the water when you first put them in the brooder. Then, do the same for the food so they know where to find them and what they are.
- Use paper towel for the first two weeks. Pine chips are a possible choking hazard.
- Once the chicks are 2 weeks old you can give them pulverized hard boiled eggs.
- Once the chicks are 3 weeks old, you can give them sprouts and other chicken approved seeds, snacks and scraps.
- The group of chicks can go outside in their permanent pen once they are fully feathered and day and night temps are above 65 F.
- Many people bring chickens into the house. You can purchase chicken nappies right here at Keuka Lake Silkies! They are just the right size for Silkie bantam chickens. They are designed to catch the poo and are easy to clean. Buy two so that you can swap them out!
- Silkies eggs are smaller in size and are light cream in color. This breed is not known for their egg laying prowess in comparison to other breeds. However, if you purchase a group of 6 hens you will get anywhere between 3-4 eggs a day!
- Silkies benefit from probiotics in a powdered form and this can be dissolved in their regular drinking water. Also, you can offer powdered/pelleted vitamins to help make sure they are getting all of the vitamins and minerals they need.
Chicken coops and Care
Silkies like to nest on the ground. They do not roost on limbs, off the ground, like other chickens do. Provide them with a simple nesting area that will help them stay clean and feel comfortable.
You can trim or pluck feathers around their eyes to help them see better. Just be careful!
I recommend hanging bucket watering system with nipples. The image on the left is an example of a good up. You can either hang the bucket or you can elevate from underneath. It keeps the manure and bedding out of the water. This is a product that is available on Etsy. If you would like to purchase it, click here.
Silkies feathers can collect a lot of mud and manure. You may want to bathe them occasionally. Here is a video that demonstrates the process. Be careful of water and hair dryer temperature. You don't want to burn the chicken. You do not want to bathe too often or else their skin dries out. I do not recommend bathing chicks, just adult chickens.
If you have a chick that is having an issue with diarrhea, then just soak or rinse the vent to loosen the dried manure and use a towel or dryer to dry the feathers.
You can trim or pluck feathers around their eyes to help them see better. Just be careful!
I recommend hanging bucket watering system with nipples. The image on the left is an example of a good up. You can either hang the bucket or you can elevate from underneath. It keeps the manure and bedding out of the water. This is a product that is available on Etsy. If you would like to purchase it, click here.
Silkies feathers can collect a lot of mud and manure. You may want to bathe them occasionally. Here is a video that demonstrates the process. Be careful of water and hair dryer temperature. You don't want to burn the chicken. You do not want to bathe too often or else their skin dries out. I do not recommend bathing chicks, just adult chickens.
If you have a chick that is having an issue with diarrhea, then just soak or rinse the vent to loosen the dried manure and use a towel or dryer to dry the feathers.