Silkies & cats? Living on bark? And more questions......

[suwoo]

Hello chicken lovers.

I have this mad want, to get two black silkies. I live in Manchester and have a small ish garden, 3 kids and 2 cats.

Can I house them on bark, like I've seen the Eglu can be (won't be an eglu). They can be free range when we're in. If I get them as chicks, do they go straight outside?

My cat is a big 16lb'er and is the dominant male in the neighbourhood, although is soft as shite. He does hunt, and he had a pigeon the other day- thankfully it escaped. Is it even possible to think about chickens? Or am I setting them up for an immediate death

Can anyone lend me a chicken keeping book, and anyone in Manchester that I can come and talk to?

Cheers me dears.

Hello prospective chicken lover

Silkies are great, I breed and show them and have about 60 at the moment.

They'll be fine on bark - and fine with a cat as long as they are big enough. Some of mine free range and the cats don't bother them. Anything less than about pigeon size and I wouldn't trust them though.

Don't buy silkies as chicks - they are difficult to sex and you may end up being sold 2 cockerals. Get them as point of lay (POL).

Make sure that your silkies are vaccinated for Mareks disease or the breeder is breeding from a Marek's resistant strain.

I live in Norfolk, so can't be of much help. I do have some books if you don't have any luck closer to home. HTH

Ooh thank you so much, missbeehiving.

this is the link to the shop I have seen them available. What do you think?

I don't know those people Suwoo but I'm not the best person to ask that question, I'm afraid, because I show mine I only buy in very good bloodlines from the best breeders, who are well known in show circles. I'm very lucky as most of my stock has come from a fantastic breeder who is now a good friend who lives about an hour away from me. I always recommend that if people want to buy silkies that they do so from a member of the Silkie Club.

I do have some details of breeders who are in the Silkie Club who are in Lancs, if you are interested. They will usually have some stock to sell.

Suwoo, the ad looks like they're selling them as chicks, which are a nightmare to sex!

As Missbeehiving says, better to get them from a reputable breeder, then you know what you are buying, and you'll have some back-up if there are any problems afterwards.

Bark can have fungal spores on/in it, which can cause respiratory problems - wood chip is better :)

missbeehiving - what colours do you have?

Briliant thanks. Thats really helpful. MissB, I would love the details of the Lancashire based people. Thanks.

NoMilkToday - All the standard colours - blue, gold, white, partridge and black.

Suwoo - are you CATable?

Don't think I am these days. My email is [email protected]

Ta

Done

Ooh thanks. Am v excited