Best foods that you can give to silkie chickens
- Grit. Your silkie chickens don’t have any teeth. Hence, they are not in a position to chew the food that you provide.
- Grains. Complete chicken feeds are available at many supermarkets, and your silkie chicken will thrive on them.
- Protein. Protein is extremely important to ensure the good health of silkie chicken. If you are...
Can I keep Silkies with other chickens?
Yes, it is possible to have silkies in with your other chickens. Most chickens generally will adapt and get along with each other. However, there are a few considerations when mixing chicken breeds. Silkies need extra predator protection. Their feathers often get in the way of their vision, making it difficult for them to spot predators.
Do all chickens eat the same diet?
Welcome to the wonderful world of chicken keeping. It’s a lot of fun. To simply answer your question, all chickens that are raised for laying do eat the same thing. Broilers, which are raised for meat require a diet that puts on weight quickly because you typically dress them by 12 weeks.
Can silkie chickens see anything?
One of the most impressive things about the Silkie chicken is their thick, extremely fluffy feathers that make them look like small, round furballs. Their feathers cover their heads, and sometimes hide their eyes, although they seem to see just fine through those thick feathers. Their feet and sometimes their legs are also covered in feathers.
What do I feed a chick Silkie?
- Shelled or husked sunflower seeds
- Sprouted seeds.
- Specially grown green shoots.
- Some boiled and still warm whole wheat in the mornings.
- Scrambled egg.
- Game-bird feed for the extra protein.
What vegetables can silkies eat?
Vegetables: Lettuce, beets, broccoli, carrots, kale, swiss chard, squash, pumpkins and cucumbers.
Do silkie chickens need grass?
Give them as much space as you can. Free-range chickens often have a healthier diet, as they will supplement their feed with grasses and bugs. Make sure that part of the yard is shaded or covered so that the silkies have protection from rain and heavy sun. You can set up an overhang or plant trees for shade.
How do I keep my silkies healthy?
9:5814:34SILKIE CHICKENS 101 | What I Wish I'd Known About Silkies - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo obviously chickens are not waterproof in general they're not ducks but silkies are like reallyMoreSo obviously chickens are not waterproof in general they're not ducks but silkies are like really not waterproof. So it's really important to make sure that they have somewhere dry that they can
When can silkies eat layer feed?
18 weeksChicks should be transitioned to layer feed at 18 weeks. Layer feed should not be fed to chickens younger than 18 weeks unless they have begun egg-laying because it contains calcium that can permanently damage the kidneys, reduce lifetime egg production and shorten a bird's lifespan.
Do Silkies need a nesting box?
3. Do Silkie Chickens Need Nesting Boxes? Silkie chickens are just like any other breed of chicken and should to be provided with a nesting box to lay eggs in. If you don't provide her with a nesting box, she will seek out secluded areas to lay her eggs and you may find yourself going on an egg hunt to find her eggs.
Do Silkies need special care?
Silkies like all other chickens require a certain amount of care to keep them happy and healthy, and while they are not a high-maintenance breed, because of their delicate and substantial feathering, they do need a little extra attention to keep them looking super smart and sassy.
What is the lifespan of a silkie chicken?
seven to nine yearsSilkies are a surprisingly hardy breed. You can expect them to live for seven to nine years on average. Their long lifespan may be due to their low egg laying capabilities. This means that because they lay eggs less often, they experience less strain on their body.
How do you tell male and female Silkies apart?
It is quite difficult to tell the difference between male and female silkie chicks because they take longer to mature than most other chicken breeds; however, once they are mature, males (roosters) and females (hens) do have some distinct differences including: roosters tend to be larger than hens, the comb will be ...
Can Silkies eat mealworms?
It is illegal to feed mealworms to chickens because they are a health risk to both the birds and the people consuming the meat and eggs produced by insect fed chickens.
Can silkies eat sunflower seeds?
A: Sunflower seeds are a good treat for your chickens. They're widely available, chickens typically love them, and for a treat, they're quite nutritious. They contain methionine, for example, an important amino acid for birds.
Can silkie chickens eat tomatoes?
Absolutely! Chickens love this healthy snack. Packed with vitamins, fiber and antioxidants, tomatoes make a great chicken treat. Just don't let them eat the leaves or flowers.
Can I feed my chickens just scratch?
You should not feed chicken scratch on a daily basis, but you can instead use it as an occasional treat. Most chicken scratch is made out of cracked corn and other grains. These are tasty foods for your chickens, and they'll enjoy gobbling them up.
When can Silkie chickens go outside?
If the temperatures outside remain above 65°F (18°C) and the chicks are at least 6 weeks old, I think it's safe to say that they can move into the coop without supplemental heat. Most chicks can leave the safety and warmth of the brooder at 6 – 8 weeks of age.
Can Silkie chickens survive winter?
They will be fine in freezing temperatures (even sub zero temperatures) so long as they have access to fresh water and stay dry. Some particulars may vary breed-to-breed, for instance Silkies and frizzle-feathered chickens are less cold hardy.
How much space do Silkies need?
Plan four square feet of run area per bantam Silkie; eight to ten square feet for heavier Silkies. Provide perches. Chickens like to roost sleeping with their feet off the ground. An old wooden ladder can work for large birds.
Can Silkies be kept in the house?
The fact that silkie chickens are unable to fly due to their fluffy plumage makes them the easiest of all chickens to keep as pets because they are that much easier to contain. Silkies are also known for their calm, friendly temperament, which makes them exceptionally great pets for homes that have children.
What do Silkie Chickens Eat?
Silkie chickens are omnivores and eat a variety of things, including insects, seeds, fruits, and vegetables. They typically enjoy eating bugs the most, as they are high in protein and beneficial nutrients. Silkies also like to consume grit to help them digest their food properly.
What do Baby Silkie Chickens Eat?
Baby chicks should be fed a starter feed until they are around 22 days old. After this, a grower’s ration should be fed to the Silkie Chickens for the next 16 weeks.
Do Silkie Chickens need Higher Protein?
No. According to the American Poultry Association, Silkie Chickens have a high need for starch and low protein in their diets. This means that they will do well on a diet of corn or rice rather than chicken feed which is higher in protein.
Do Silkie Chickens Need High-Quality Feed?
No. As mentioned above, feeding your chickens too much protein can cause serious health problems. While these birds are perfect for people who want to raise them on a small scale or in their backyard, you should not try to feed them as if they were larger egg-laying hens such as Rhode Island Reds.
When to switch Silkies to Layer feed?
On silkie chickens, the best time to switch their feed to Layer is when they are about six months old. You don’t want to wait too long or they may not start laying eggs. If you have a rooster, he will start crowing around this time and let you know when it’s time to switch the feed.
Can Silkie Chickens Eat Pellets?
Silkies can eat pellets, but they may not like them as much as other chicken breeds. Try a different type of pellet if your Silkie isn’t eating the one you are giving him or her.
How Big are Silkie Chicken Eggs?
The silkie egg is generally the same size and color as regular eggs going to a cream color. If you want a chicken that lays lots of eggs, the Silkie is not your bird. They are usually considered poor layers averaging 2-3 small eggs each week – around 100-120 eggs per year. However, they excel in the broodiness department and are great mothers.
What To Feed Silkies?
Silkies may look very different from other chickens with their fluffy coats of feathers, but they’re still chickens.
How Much Do Silkies Eat per Day?
As I mentioned in the opening, like most chickens, fully-grown Silkies will eat about ¼ lb of feed per day. Bantams will eat around ⅕ of a lb at a rough guess.
How Many Times a Day Should You Feed Chickens?
Feeding chickens is the easy part. They love food, and generally speaking, they’re pretty good about not overeating.
In Summary
As you can see, Silkies are easy to raise, they don’t eat or cost much, and give back plenty in the form of fun and eggs anyway.
What and how to feed your back yard Silkies
There are few things to keep in mind that makes feeding Silkies slightly different from feeding other chicken breeds. For one, silkies will have some difficulty picking up and swallowing the large layer pellets and if you decide to go the commercial mix route, it will be worth spending roughly 2% extra on the short cut layer pellets.
Feeding according to life stage
Hatchlings can survive for 2 days after hatching on the nutrients derived from the egg yolk alone, but you can offer them chick starter crumbs from day one. They have higher protein (18-20%) and energy requirements than adult chickens and it will be best to stick to a good quality chick starter such as MannaPro Non-medicated starter crumble feed.
Winter feeding
Silkies need higher calorie feed in winter as well as higher protein to support their pre-winter molt. You can add high protein treats such as eggs or mealworms to their diet more regularly during winter. Shelled or husked sunflower seeds, cooked wheat, still warm in the mornings, and sprouted seeds are excellent winter treats.
What treats can I give to my Silkies?
Giving treats is a lovely way to bond with your silkies and it is also very useful to tame more timid birds. Treats should make up no more than 10 % of their diet.
What are Silkies not allowed to eat?
Although silkies chickens may seem to like to peck at nearly anything and everything, there are a few things that should best be avoided. Below is a list of common household foods that your silkies won’t thank you for.
What supplements do Silkies need?
Apart from the already mentioned special requirements, you may wonder whether adding a vitamin and mineral supplement will be worth it.
How much feed do silkies need and can you feed a silkie too much?
Silkies rarely overeat and I have never heard of an obese silkie. An overweight silkie is extremely uncommon! What we should rather be concerned about, is giving too many treats which will lead to under-eating of their balanced ratio that may lead to some nutrient deficiencies and subsequent health problems.
A Diet for Ailing Chickens
As soon as you notice one of your chickens is not feeling well you need to immediately think about their diet. After you take the usual sick chicken precautions you will want to dive into the nitty gritty of figuring out what is causing them to ail and how you can help. Your flock’s diet plays a big role in how healthy they stay.
Always Feed This to Sick Chickens
The first thing to feed a sick chicken is their original, usual homestead feed. Whether that’s layer feed, maintenance feed, grower feed, whatever you usually feed your flock, continue to offer that to the sick chicken. If a sick chicken is still interested in food and water, even better! Still offer them the usual feed.
What if my chicken is not interested in its feed?
Once a chicken looses interest in its original feed, you will need to take some persuasive actions to get the chicken to continue eating. If a chicken’s stomach becomes empty, the stomach will stop producing hydrochloric acid, which is a very important acid that affects the pH levels in the stomach.
What should I feed my Sick Chicken?
Start off by making sure the sick chicken has access to its normal, daily feed. Offer free-choice herbs that the chicken can peck at if it wants. Encourage the chicken to eat by making the feed damp (or fermenting the feed) or occassionally offering healthy snacks like cooked egg or squash.
