Reviews by Violetsrblu

We added a couple of Dominique pullets to my first order of chicks 3 yrs ago. We were interested in a heritage breed that lays brown eggs, are good foragers, and predator resistant. We haven't been disappointed in our choice. The girls are talkative, friendly, and good layers of large, medium brown colored eggs. They are assertive, but not aggressive in the flock. As pullets, they loved roosting quietly on us. Some people think their pattern is mundane, but we think it looks pretty, especially against green grass. I would recommend this hardy breed for first time backyard chicken farmers.

I started my flock 3 years ago and EEs were among my first breeds. They free range and are great at foraging and eluding predators. Snow and freezing temps don't daunt them. None have been ill or had reproductive problems yet. One of my hens has a pretty major cross beak, which I've read is fairly common in EEs. It wasn't noticeable until she was 3 weeks old. She is still doing fine and is #3 in the pecking order.

All of my EEs are inquisitive and like to follow us around and watch us do yard work. They are friendly and will eat out of our hands. I had to train a few to stop flying up and perching on my arms, shoulders, or head, but I'll allow them to sit on my lap. They lay 5-6 eggs/week apiece in spring and summer. The eggs are a beautiful pastel green and large. Some of my hens lay extra large eggs and occasionally I'll get jumbos that won't fit in an average egg carton.

I've read that EEs can get broody, but none of mine have gone broody yet. I am so glad of that; my family, friends, and neighbors are addicted to the delicious eggs. We have friends who drive 40 min. each way to get a carton of eggs from us. I can definitely recommend EEs, especially for first time backyard chicken farmers

I was gifted with an OEGB egg from a gorgeous splash pair on display at a fair last fall. None of my Silkies were broody at the time, so I picked up this incubator from the neighborhood TSC. If I could get this egg to hatch, I didn't want the chick to be lonely, so I put 3 Silkie eggs in the bator too. I researched hatching tips and decided to do a dry hatch and fill the outer troughs with snack baggies filled with water. I ignored the built in gauges and used a digital thermometer/hygrometer with remote.

I had to fool with adjusting the temperature knob for most of the day, but once I got it just right, it held steady for the duration. I opened it only twice for candling at 10 days and removing the turner at lockdown. The temperature quickly rebounded each time after closing. I had no problems with keeping humidity in range either. Well, to my surprise, all four of my chicks hatched out and were very healthy. Pretty good for a first timer using a cheapie bator, I think.

We've bred and raised 16 Silkies over the past 2 years, handled them daily, but none of them got particularly friendly. They are so docile, though; they will meekly submit to being handled. I have bathed and blow dried hens and roos without any fuss. The broodies won't get upset or peck when I check out the eggs or chicks under them.

All of my girls started laying eggs after 7 mos.of age and would go broody for the 1st time by 9 mos. If I didn't let them keep the eggs, they would stay broody for over 3 mos! I do use them to hatch eggs from other breeds. My moms would go broody again within 3 weeks after they stopped raising their chicks. My oldest roo would actually give the moms a break and take care of the chicks for a while.

Although our Silkies aren't as friendly as we hoped they would be, we do enjoy watching them free range in our backyard. They are so cute and resemble two legged poodles running around. Our eldest female frequently and loudly yells at the others, so she's been nicknamed "the Bitchin Chicken", lol! Unfortunately, Silkies are hawk targets. The neighborhood red tail ignores the standard size chickens and zeroes in on the Silkies only, so when we aren't home, they have to stay in a covered run while the big girls get to run free all day.