female silkie chickens in Minnesota

Silkies For Sale – 2/14/20

February 14, 2020February 18, 2020 by vjppoultry, posted in New Silkies

Here is what is available for the week of Feb. 14, 2020. We hatch out silkie chicks every week at VJP Poultry. We are NPIP, Pullorum tested and a Minnesota state inspected hatchery. No Shipping/Pick up only. We sell one and two week old unsexed silkie chicks. We also sell 4 month old female silkie pullets. We can no longer accept rooster returns. If you are not allowed to have roosters where you live I would recommend that you consider a four month old female silkie pullet.

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Four month old female silkie pullets – $65 each.

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Honey is a 4 year old black hen. She is $40.

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Pen 21 – One Week Olds hatched 2/6 – 12 grey – $13 each.

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Pen 20 – One week olds hatched 2/6 – 11 partridge, 2 white, 1 black – $13 each.

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Pen 8 – Two week olds hatched 1/30 – 3 buff, 4 grey – $15 each.

20200212_152935 Pen 7 – Two week olds hatched 1/30 – 3 blue, 5 partridge – $15 each

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Pen 19 -Four week olds hatched 1/16- 6 white ($19 each), Three week olds hatched 1/23 – 6 white ($17 each), Two week olds hatched 1/30 – 2 white, 1 black ($15 each) One week olds hatched 2/6 – 2 white, 2 black ($13 each). Newborns hatched 2/13 – 6 black – ($11 each) Perfect for 4-H poultry showing. NPIP and Pullorum tested. You will not need to retest when you are ready to show.

If you have any questions or would like to set up a time to come out and pick up some silkies, you can contact me by texting 612-756-1414 or PM me at the VJP Poultry Facebook page.

Using Plastic on the Silkie Chicken Run – 11/26/16

November 26, 2016July 2, 2020 by vjppoultry, posted in New Silkies

The first snowstorm is upon us so at VJP Poultry it’s time to make sure that the plastic is up and covering the chicken runs. We have used plastic on the runs for many years. In the past we have hung cheap plastic from rolls. It looked great at the beginning of winter, but pretty droopy by the end. This year we decided to use something else.

I like using the plastic for several reasons. First of all, it keeps the snow from coming into the run. My silkies do not like walking on snow and will avoid it at all costs. They will not leave the coop if they see snow out their door. The plastic will also keep the rain out of the run keeping the ground dry. The silkies will look nicer for not having mud on their feet and feathers.

The second reason I like hanging plastic around the runs in the winter is that it cuts the wind and makes it warmer the run. It kind of creates a greenhouse effect inside of the run which makes it more inviting for them to come out in colder weather. I make sure that the plastic is up on the North side and the West side. That is where the cold wind will mostly come from in the winter. I kind of leave the South side a little more open to help with ventilation. You don’t want the plastic so tight that fresh air is not getting in.

We are trying a new kind of plastic this year Instead of using plastic that comes on a roll, we ordered clear tarps that have built in grommet holes. The tarp also has lines running through it to keep the tarp stronger and to keep it from ripping in the wind.

We placed eye hooks in the wood along the bottom of the run. The grommet holes fit into the hooks and secure the tarp. We then use ball bungee cords at the top to fasten the tarp down. Hopefully this clear tarp can be easily taken down and put up for many years to come. We also use zip ties where needed to keep the tarps secure.

I don’t usually take the plastic down until it has warmed up in the spring. Even after the snows have stopped it still keeps the spring rains out. It can also keep some predators out of the run as well.

Winterizing the chicken coops and runs is an important task. You want them warm and snug, but really what they need is to be free from cold drafts, to stay dry, to have the air well ventilated and to keep the waterers open and not frozen over. If you can keep those things in mind when winterizing, you will be keeping your silkies healthy and happy this winter.

For tips and tricks for raising outstanding silkies check out our Chicken Learning Center at VJPPoultry.com . VJP Poultry is an NPIP and state inspected hatchery located 30 miles north of St. Paul. We hatch out silkies all year long so we always have stock available. Like us on Facebook to get weekly updates on what we currently have for sale.

Victoria J. Peterson

October Fall Chores at VJP Poultry 10/29/16

October 29, 2016August 12, 2020 by vjppoultry, posted in New Silkies

October is the time of year for finishing what didn’t get done this summer and planning for what will be happening this winter. One big project that needs finishing up is our new coop and run. We started it last fall and we still need to put the last finishing touches on it.

My husband, Dennis, is the handy man in our family. He has been busy this month finishing ramps and doors for the four pop door openings in the new pens. We painted today (purple) and hoped that the white silkies stayed white and did not turn into purple Paints! We also finished up the fencing in the run and closed up any holes that are left.

Since October is the month for planning, we measured all of the runs for the plastic sheeting we wrap around. In past years, we used clear plastic that came on a roll. We measured, cut and zip tied it but by spring it looked pretty beat up.

This year we are going to order clear tarps that have grommet holes. They will cost more than the roll of plastic , but we will be able to use them for possibly three years. Again, we will use zip ties and bungee cords to hang them. They keep snow out of the run and create a kind of greenhouse effect inside it. The plastic cuts the wind and lets the silkies come out of the coop when it is well below freezing.

While ordering the tarp, I decided to also stock up on heat lamp bulbs. I ordered six 125 watt bulbs to be used in the chicks room. Better to have some on hand than to have a crisis occur and be out of them.

Another chore to plan for is water transporting. By the end of October the hoses are put away and I need to start carrying water out to the coops. In previous years, I carried the water in two, 5 gallon buckets. Not my favorite chore. This year I will need twice as much water since we added another coop. I found a few 5 gallon buckets with lids which will work nicely. I plan on using the otter sled to bring the water down to the coops. Always trying to improve the way we do things around here.

One last chore is to go through all of the birds individually. We check to see whether it can see. If not , we trim the feathers around the eyes and underneath the eye with curved scissors. We trim the beak and trim away any long toenails with diagonal wire cutters. We are now set for winter. The birds will be snug in their coops. All it takes is a little October pre-planning.

Victoria J. Peterson