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Silkies wont use nesting box or roosting area

post #1 of 8
9/17/12 at 6:07am
Thread Starter 

Hi all,

 

I have been given 3 Silkies and their coup, they are over a year old and this is my first experience of keeping chickens.

 

At least one of the hens is laying as I had an egg on Saturday and Sunday, problem is they aren't using the nesting boxes or the roosting compartment at night, preferring to huddle at the bottom of the run.  Previous owners advised they have always done this.

 

Any ideas as to how I can get them to go into the roosting compartment and start to use the nesting boxes?

 

Ta

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post #2 of 8
9/17/12 at 6:09am
How high off the ground are the nesting boxes? My silkies will only lay in a box that is flat on the ground or less than a foot off of it.

Forget roosting. Silkies like to huddle in a pile at bedtime.

LES Farms

Breeder of nothing right now.Read our RE-Build of LES Farms Thread.

 

Lost everything in a barn fire 2/11/13. Can't even pull it together.

Thank you for all the condolences and all the support and donations given to help us rebuild. You are all so special to us.

 

Please READ my thread about FIRE SAFETY. Trying to save as many others from the little mistakes that cost me everything.

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LES Farms

Breeder of nothing right now.Read our RE-Build of LES Farms Thread.

 

Lost everything in a barn fire 2/11/13. Can't even pull it together.

Thank you for all the condolences and all the support and donations given to help us rebuild. You are all so special to us.

 

Please READ my thread about FIRE SAFETY. Trying to save as many others from the little mistakes that cost me everything.

Reply
post #3 of 8
9/17/12 at 6:32am

Yep, most silkies won't roost.  I would also try a shallow box at floor level, put a golf ball or wooden egg in it to help attract them.

Home of the world's cutest dachshund, one crazy blue heeler, two cats,
              one fat pony, and many (but not too many!) chickens

              Can anyone tell me, how many are too many chickens?

 



My Chickens
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/1muttsfans-chickens
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Home of the world's cutest dachshund, one crazy blue heeler, two cats,
              one fat pony, and many (but not too many!) chickens

              Can anyone tell me, how many are too many chickens?

 



My Chickens
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/1muttsfans-chickens
Reply
post #4 of 8
9/17/12 at 7:47am
For my silkies I have a nest box on the ground, and they use it (sometimes too much! tongue.png) I also have a roost that is 1 1/2 feet off the ground, they jump on and off it during the day. All of mine sleep in a pile on the floor

Bailey's Bucks & Beaks

Show Quality Silkies

Golden Laced Wyandottes

Check out our website for pictures of our flock and hatching eggs available for sale.

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Bailey's Bucks & Beaks

Show Quality Silkies

Golden Laced Wyandottes

Check out our website for pictures of our flock and hatching eggs available for sale.

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post #5 of 8
9/17/12 at 7:51am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by BaileyJean View Post

For my silkies I have a nest box on the ground, and they use it (sometimes too much! tongue.png) I also have a roost that is 1 1/2 feet off the ground, they jump on and off it during the day. All of mine sleep in a pile on the floor


Thanks all for the replies.

 

These silkies act just as above, all huddle together, I think I'll try the nest box on the ground approach.

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post #6 of 8
9/17/12 at 8:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cockoff View Post


Thanks all for the replies.

These silkies act just as above, all huddle together, I think I'll try the nest box on the ground approach.
My girls are more prone to sleep on the floor, while the boys will roost. The better they see, the better they roost.

_MG_4052.jpg
This is as far up as my hens will lay. 2/3 will. One insists on lying in the corner of the coop. She can see the least. Her poof is the biggest.

LES Farms

Breeder of nothing right now.Read our RE-Build of LES Farms Thread.

 

Lost everything in a barn fire 2/11/13. Can't even pull it together.

Thank you for all the condolences and all the support and donations given to help us rebuild. You are all so special to us.

 

Please READ my thread about FIRE SAFETY. Trying to save as many others from the little mistakes that cost me everything.

Reply

LES Farms

Breeder of nothing right now.Read our RE-Build of LES Farms Thread.

 

Lost everything in a barn fire 2/11/13. Can't even pull it together.

Thank you for all the condolences and all the support and donations given to help us rebuild. You are all so special to us.

 

Please READ my thread about FIRE SAFETY. Trying to save as many others from the little mistakes that cost me everything.

Reply
post #7 of 8
9/17/12 at 8:07am

My silkie will roost on a little board that is only about 4 inches off the ground. Otherwise she just sleeps on the floor.

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post #8 of 8
9/17/12 at 8:10am
_MG_4742.jpg
You can see I have quite a few roosting, but all large crested girls still sleep on the floor. Usually under the window on the ledges.

LES Farms

Breeder of nothing right now.Read our RE-Build of LES Farms Thread.

 

Lost everything in a barn fire 2/11/13. Can't even pull it together.

Thank you for all the condolences and all the support and donations given to help us rebuild. You are all so special to us.

 

Please READ my thread about FIRE SAFETY. Trying to save as many others from the little mistakes that cost me everything.

Reply

LES Farms

Breeder of nothing right now.Read our RE-Build of LES Farms Thread.

 

Lost everything in a barn fire 2/11/13. Can't even pull it together.

Thank you for all the condolences and all the support and donations given to help us rebuild. You are all so special to us.

 

Please READ my thread about FIRE SAFETY. Trying to save as many others from the little mistakes that cost me everything.

Reply
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BackYard Chickens › BYC Forum › Raising BackYard Chickens › Chicken Behaviors and Egglaying › Silkies wont use nesting box or roosting area