New Poultry

[bee_pipes]

We went to a poultry/livestock swap last weekend. I was looking for bourbon red turkeys, but nobody there had any hatched yet. We were getting ready to go when I caught sight of some of the most absurd looking chickens I had ever seen - they look like they escaped from a muppet movie. They're called silkies. Most of you folks have probably seen them - I had heard of them but this was the first time I can remember seeing them. They were only $3 apiece, and if they provide as much entertainment as the rest of the poultry, we can spare the feed for two non-meat/non-egg producing birds.

(firefox/mozilla right click and view image for larger picture)
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o120/bee_pipes/silkies3.jpg

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o120/bee_pipes/silkies2.jpg

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o120/bee_pipes/silkies1.jpg

The following Monday I ran into a fellow that raises Royal Palm turkeys. I picked up four turkeys and a banti chick. He said it was good to throw a chick or two in there with the poults to keep them moving and show them how to eat and drink. In this picture they are one week old and under a brooder lamp.

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o120/bee_pipes/poultsandbanti.jpg

We are currently building a turkey hootch to house the youngsters between brooding and turning them loose. The basic design is a large fenced in porch with a wire floor and attached shanty to get them out of the weather. More as the hootch progresses...

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o120/bee_pipes/turkeyhootchstructure.jpg

Regards,
Pat

[Terri]

My cousins silkies laid enough to pay for themselves. They ALSO went broody. If you have females, you might have made a very profitable deal.

Enjoy!

My daughter had a white silkie, and she named her Queen Puff. Her son was Prince Charming.