silkies
Alektorophobia keeps silkies in one place: 8 stories so far. The section currently leads with “Red Shoulder Yokohamas: the elusive chickens who only love you for your snacks”, “My wife bought the weirdest chickens: naked necks and frizzle feathers”, and “Planned for 4 chickens but my flock egg-sploded to 12”. So you've got two Red Shoulder Yokohamas, and they've already decided you're only interesting when snacks are involved. So my wife brought home the weirdest chickens I've ever seen, naked necks and frizzle feathers on what are supposed to be Silkies. Chickens. Everything there is to know about chickens and the fear of them. The list below is every silkies story on Alektorophobia, newest first.
Red Shoulder Yokohamas: the elusive chickens who only love you for your snacks
So you've got two Red Shoulder Yokohamas, and they've already decided you're only interesting when snacks are involved. Relatable. These birds are famously elusive, which is either maddening or egg-citing depending on your patience level. Since they're smaller, keeping them with your big flock is fine if they're fitting in well, but watch for bullying. Silkies are gentler, so if trouble starts, the small flock is a safe backup. As for special needs? Nothing wild, just space to zoom and high perches (they love to fly). And the hen-or-rooster mystery? Without clear saddle feathers or crowing, you're in for a cluck-tastic guessing game. Trust your eyes over ChatGPT.
My wife bought the weirdest chickens: naked necks and frizzle feathers
So my wife brought home the weirdest chickens I've ever seen, naked necks and frizzle feathers on what are supposed to be Silkies. One of them looks like a proper Frizzle, all chaotic curls, while the others rock that bare-neck look like they're wearing invisible turtlenecks. And I can't stop laughing. Why does this even exist? Honestly, the poultry world has some serious fowl play going on, and I'm here for it. These birds look like they lost a fight with a hair dryer and then decided to embrace the madness. If you think your chickens are quirky, wait until you meet a Naked-neck Silkie. It's the kind of cluck-tastic chaos that makes you question everything you thought you knew about feathered friends.
Planned for 4 chickens but my flock egg-sploded to 12
Well, I *love* this. You planned for four feathered friends and ended up with a dozen, that's not a flock, that's a fowl takeover! I can totally relate to the egg-splosion. You've got a wonderfully quirky mix there, from the fancy Silver Laced Polish to the two Silkie fluffballs. I especially admire the commitment to the White Face Black Spanish; those are some rare, elegant birds. It's a bit of a madhouse, but a cluck-tastic one. For anyone else whose chicken math has gone haywire, you might find some solidarity in our guide on spotting fowl play in the coop. Your flock might not be super diverse, but it sounds perfectly chaotic.
This little fluff ball is my favorite hatch of the year: sorry, other chicks
This little fluff ball is my favorite hatch of the year, and honestly, I get it. There's always that one chick that steals your heart with its coloring, and it sounds like /u/spicypersona71 has found theirs. I love the unapologetic favoritism here, sorry, other chicks, but this one's special. That's the kind of honest chicken parenting I can get behind. It's not always easy to pick a favorite, but when you hatch one that just makes you smile every time you see it, you know. If you're curious about identifying those mysterious feathered friends in your own flock, check out our guide on "Raising chicks and facing fowl play: help me ID these feathered friends."
Who's Got the Cluck-tastic DNA Deets for My Flock?
Well, I've got a serious case of the fowl play jitters just reading this. DNA testing your flock sounds egg-citing in theory, but the options are enough to make anyone consider chickening out. This poor soul wants to unravel the genetic secrets of their Runners, Sebastopol geese, Cochins, and Silkies, plus all the offspring, and the research left them clucking overwhelmed. I get it. The big question: blood, feathers, or egg membrane? Did you spring for a fancy collection kit or MacGyver it with a coffee filter? And the cost, did volume earn a discount? If you're feeling brave, check out our piece on "This bird's afro is so egg-citing it's clucking adorable" for more feathered fun. Spill the cluck-tastic deets, please.
When Silkies Sneezing Turns Into Something That Really Stinks
Oh, the sneeze that smells, a true fowl play situation if I ever heard one. That dried yellow discharge and the awful odor have every right to make you nervous. Coryza is a scary word, and the question of treat, rehome, or cull is the kind of cluck-tastic dilemma no one wants to face. You've only had these silkies a month, and they've been sneezing since day one, so this has been brewing under those fluffy feathers for a while. It's egg-citing that you're thinking about the future of your flock, not just the immediate fix. For a deeper dive into similar mysteries, check out "That Mystery Egg Has Us Clucking: and Worrying: Right Along With You.
Why My Hen's Rear End Is a Total Mystery: and I'm Clucking for Answers
There's a pinkish-purple egg, a very confused hen, and a rear end that's got one owner clucking for answers. I get it. When you've got 21 free-range girls and 10 enclosed silkies, you'd think you'd seen it all. But nope. Mother Nature's got a weird sense of humor, and this mystery bloom is the punchline. It's equal parts fascinating and unsettling, which is basically the chicken-keeping experience in a nutshell. We've covered odd droppings before in our nesting box piece, so this feels like a natural next chapter in fowl weirdness. My advice? Keep watching, keep note-taking, and maybe keep a little distance from that particular feather duster.
Splayed Legs Got Your Chick Down? Our Feathered Friends Need Help!
Well, here's the thing about splayed legs: they're a right pain in the feathery butt. Your little silkie sounds like she's got the classic case, and those clips you're using? Smart move, honestly. But here's the kicker: if she's still flopping like a fish after a few days, something's off. You're doing the right thing by checking her every other hour and keeping her toasty under that lamp, but sometimes the issue isn't just the legs, it could be a pinched nerve or even a vitamin shortage. Give it a solid week with the clips, but if she's still not pushing up, it might be time to tweak the angle or consult a vet who knows their poultry.