Growing and Thriving Chicks at My Farm
This time of year is breeding season for the peafowl and geese, but I also have some very young residents at my farm that are already thriving - three baby Silkie chickens.
I love raising all kinds of chickens, but among my favorites is the Silkie. The Silkie, also known as the Silky or Chinese silk chicken, is a breed of chicken named for its atypically fluffy, satin-like plumage. This breed is very calm and friendly. I have quite a few in my flock, and last month another three hatched right here in my incubator. They came from the 2023 Northeastern Poultry Congress - a poultry show held every year in Springfield, Massachusetts. Now, several weeks later, they're strong, alert, and will soon be ready to move into their new coop.
Here are some photos - and be sure to watch out for an entire show dedicated to hens and chicks coming up on "Martha Gardens" on the Roku Channel.
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- Down at the stable, we set up our incubating and hatching equipment from GQF Manufacturing, Inc. in Savannah, Georgia – a company that specializes in game bird and poultry supplies. There are several crucial conditions needed for proper embryo development in all birds. These factors include: proper temperature, controlled humidity, and sufficient air circulation.
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- The eggs are placed into the incubator where they are safe from other birds and closely monitored until they hatch. Chicken eggs take 21-days. While the eggs incubate, they are automatically turned once a day, 45-degrees each way, back and forth during this period. From days 17 to 21, they’re placed into this hatching cabinet, where it is still warm. Each egg has its own section, where it safe and cannot roll during the hatching process.
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- After the chicks hatch, they are placed into this cage in the same room. The room is kept very warm and the chicks are checked often.
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- Soon after, these three adorable chicks are hatched and walking around exploring their new surroundings.
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- This gray Silkie chick was a bit unstable at first, so we gently tape the legs for a few days until he gets stronger.
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- Fresh, clean water is always provided. In fact, every chick is personally shown where their food and water sources are, so they know where to find them.
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- The chicks are fed organic chick starter for the first six to eight weeks.
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- A heat lamp is placed into the cage to keep it extra warm. Baby chicks need constant monitoring until they are at least a month old. Chicks require an air temperature of 95 degrees during the first week, 90 degrees the second week, and so on – going down by around five degrees per week until they’re ready to transition to the coop.
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- Within days, they are all up and about and playing and interacting with each other. They also peck at each other playfully.
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- Wherever one goes, the others follow. There are eight Silkie color varieties accepted by the American Poultry Association. They include black, blue, buff, gray, partridge, splash, and white.
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- On the left is a stuffed toy we always put in with our chicks. They like to lie beside it and later use it as a perch. The red glow is from the heat lamp.
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- By the next week, these three are more curious and more vocal.
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- This one is also very interested in greeting any visitors that come by. Because they are raised here at the farm, they quickly become used to everyone on the crew and all the noises.
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- All these chicks have clear eyes and are very alert – signs of good health.
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- Here is a black Silkie chick – notice, Silkies have black eyes.
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- The chicks are now taller than the stuffed toy.
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- And look, one is strong enough to use it as a perch.
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- Meanwhile, Pete prepares the chicks’ next home – a small coop just outside the Stable.
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- Pete secures a galvanized steel eye bolt and chain from the ceiling of the coop to add another heat lamp.
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- The chain is adjusted to the proper height needed for the lamp – about a half foot, so the the chicks can safely sit underneath it if needed.
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- I also have Sweeter Heaters located in the coop. Sweeter Heaters are safe, energy-efficient, and reliable heaters for chicken coops and other animal enclosures. We got ours from My Pet Chicken.
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- I have two Sweeter Heaters in every coop at the farm during winter.
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- Here, Pete screws on the red bulb for the hanging heat lamp.
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- And gives it a test – it works perfectly. Any wiring will be safely secured away from the lamp.
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- The coop is now ready with sufficient heat sources. The nights are still quite cold here in the Northeast. Once the chicks are moved, they will remain here for another several weeks until they are big enough to move into the chicken yard to live with the others. They will still be monitored often to ensure they are comfortable and safe.
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- These three will be friends their entire lives. I am looking forward to seeing them grow and enjoy their time here at Cantitoe Corners. If you are interested in raising beautiful and productive chickens, please look out for my Roku show “Martha Gardens.” In an upcoming episode, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about hens, and chicks, and roosters, my favorite breeds, and give you a tour of my coops.
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