Detailed Explanation of the Breeding Methods and Technical Points for Silkie Chickens
Silkie chickens originated in the United Kingdom (UK) and were originally a unique product of the ancient British royal family. Because of their special appearance and value, they were forbidden to be raised by common people. Now there is already a certain breeding area for them in China. They have extremely high economic value and are rich in selenium and zinc, which are known as anti-cancer substances. Their meat is very flavorful and is sought after by many people. Their living characteristics are basically the same as domestic chickens, but they have stronger disease resistance than domestic chickens. So how should Silkie chickens be raised? Let's take a look below!
1. Chicken coop preparation
Compared with other poultry, Silkie chickens are very easy to raise. The chicken coop for Silkie chickens should be built facing south, away from factories, residential areas, and other polluted and noisy places. It is important to ensure good ventilation in the coop and keep it dry. It is not recommended to use dirt as the floor of the chicken coop. Try to lay a layer of cement on the ground, because this can not only effectively control the degree of dryness in the coop, but also help with sanitation management. Build a exercise yard outside the coop so the chickens have enough space to move around, but escape-prevention equipment needs to be installed around and on top of the exercise yard, and some frames should be set up so the chickens have places to rest and perch.
2. Reasonable feeding
The feeding method for Silkie chickens should be determined according to their growth situation. Each growth stage has different nutritional needs. Therefore, everyone should prepare a feeding method for each stage. For example, during the brooding period, first thoroughly disinfect the brooding room, and some daily utensils should also be disinfected properly. After entering the brooding room, water should be supplied immediately. After the chicks finish drinking water, feed them with feed that is evenly dry and wet for about three days. If you want to improve the growth speed and body resistance of the chicks, there should be a reasonable feed combination plan, and this plan can continue until the chicks pass through the brooding period.
3. Strengthen management
If you want to succeed in breeding, you must strengthen management of the chicks when they are young. All the body function mechanisms of chicks are not yet fully developed. Their disease resistance and cold resistance are very weak, so attention should be paid to strengthening the insulation capacity and ventilation of the coop to prevent the chicks from catching cold from wind and developing diseases. In low-temperature weather, the lighting time for the chicks should also be ensured, so lighting equipment should be installed in the coop. Not only the brooding house for chicks, but also the laying house for laying hens must keep the coop clean, disinfect regularly, and prevent the effects of too hot or too cold weather on the chickens. Also, the chickens should be allowed to move around often, which can not only enhance the flavor of the chicken meat, but also effectively prevent some diseases.
4. Disease prevention and control
Disease prevention and control is the aspect that requires the most attention in the process of raising Silkie chickens. After the chicks hatch, all chicks should be vaccinated. And at each subsequent growth stage, disease-prevention vaccines should be injected regularly. Patrol and inspect frequently, and pay attention to the chickens' activity and eating characteristics. If abnormal conditions are found, the sick chickens must be isolated promptly, and then the specific disease of the sick chickens should be checked, followed by targeted treatment. If it is an infectious disease, the chicken coop and all the chickens should be disinfected immediately.
The points above are a brief introduction to the breeding methods for Silkie chickens. Although raising Silkie chickens is relatively easy, you absolutely must not raise them according to the methods used for domestic chickens. This is because domestic chickens are more cold-resistant than Silkie chickens, but have a higher disease incidence, so they are not suitable for the breeding of Silkie chickens. When raising Silkie chickens, pay attention to the hygiene of the coop to prevent diseases caused by sanitary conditions.