New Members from Wyoming, looking for Silkie care suggestions!

We are from Rock Springs, Wyoming and we really want to get a couple of Silkies! When I was younger my aunt and cousins raised all kinds of chickens in their yard and now that I have kids of my own I would like to get some Silkies, they were my favorite and soo adorable! Its warming up here for summer but I'm worried about how to take care of them in the winter, what types of housing is best, heating, insulation etc. We have a couple of different coups in mind, or we'll build one. I just really need to know what goes into keeping them warm and safe in cold weather! Any suggestions would be very helpful! Thank you!

Josh, thanks for joining the BYC flock. I think you can get answers to all your silkie questions on the "Silkie thread." Just put that in the search box above and it will come up for you.

The thing about silkies, is that they are one of the hardest breeds to sex before 4-5 mos. of age and sometime not till they crow or lay eggs. Wanted to mention that because anyone selling guaranteed pullets, a few days old should be shunned like poison. If you don't mind getting cockerels - maybe a lot of them, this would be no problem.

PS should mention silkies don't usually roost (unless it is very low to the ground). They don't fly but, can jump high when so inclined. They do like to sleep on the floor in a corner piled up with other silkies.

Welcome to BYC! It's great to have you.

Silkies are a wonderful breed - I'm just now going into my second year breeding them, and they are one of my favorites.

Silkies are not terribly hard to take care of, even during cold weather. Do keep in mind that if you get Silkies, you should really just stick to the one breed. They are one of the handful of breeds that really do best housed on their own. If you do add other breeds, please stick to bantams only and smaller bantams at that. Silkies are incredibly stupid and effectively blind - they are the most pointless chickens on earth. I say that as a huge fan of the breed.

As Diva mentioned, Silkies are very hard to sex. Unless you are OK with getting 50/50 cockerels from a batch of chicks, you would be wise to seek out either sexed birds which are mature or nearly mature, or choose a different breed. Keep in mind that mature Silkies that are definite females are rarely cheap or easy to find.

Also, please purchase from a breeder, not a hatchery. While commercial hatcheries are a great source for most breeds, I would suggest never buying Silkies from one. This is because hatchery Silkies are very "watered down" due to lack of care in breeding. They are neither fluffy nor friendly, and lack the true character and appearance of the breed. Find someone who breeds for show and purchase from them if you want a REAL Silkie. If all else fails and you must buy from a hatchery, buy from Cackle. Theirs are the only decent hatchery Silkies I have seen.

As for winter... provide the Silkies with plenty of dry places. Because they are so fluffy the cold does not really harm them, but water soaks into their feathers quickly. If offered a spacious coop and a dry, preferably covered or partially covered run, they will do OK in any climate.

I just want to say hello and tell you here's the link to the WY state thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/699789/wyoming-unite

Pop in and say hi if you'd like!

Hello from Kansas, AspenJosh, and welcome to BYC! You've already received some great advice so I'll just say best wishes and thanks for joining BYC!

G’Day from down under AspenJoshB Welcome!

As you have already received some good advice, I will just wish you all the best.

I hope you enjoy being a BYC member. There are lots of friendly and very helpful folks here so not only is it overflowing with useful information it is also a great place to make friends and have some fun.

If you would like to share pictures and stories of your flock, you have come to the right place. BYC’ers never tire of these and do not back away slowly or commence eye rolling when the photo album or home videos come out

Thank you all for the excellent advice!! I will be searching for breeders soon although I AM very nervous to have any shipped if I can't find any somewhat locally, it doesn't traumatize them? Lol and I also have a question for QueenMisha - why is it hard to find a female silkie?