I need jackets for my silkies for winter!

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olijo123

olijo123

Songster
8 Years
Jun 10, 2013
204
19
146
WV
Winter is coming and I need to either make or buy some jackets. I have 3 silkies and one naked neck bantam that need it. I want some that will cover the belly too because the naked neck has no feathers on its belly! It just hatched that way I guess. But where I live it gets below freezing so they really need something that will keep them warm. Last winter I came home late and it had been snowing and I found one of my silkies covered in ice and snow frozen to death on my porch. I do not want that to happen again! Does anyone know a way to make chicken jackets that cover the belly? Or a place that sells them? Thanks!
 
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You may be able to fit with sweaters made for cats or small dogs and adjust to fit over the wings? If you or someone you know can sew they should be easy to make.

I guess since many wear the saddles, the chickens would adjust to the sweater or coat. But if the garment gets wet, do you think it may make things worse? Maybe keeping them confined in a controlled environment may be better?
 
I've seen chicken sweaters for sale on etsy.com. One lady makes custom sizes. Not sure how warm they are. I need one too for one of my gals- still looking but may resort to etsy.
 
I would be able to knit chicken sweaters but would need measurements to gauge sizes. The pattern looks like the one attached
400
 
Are you sure its necessary to put sweaters on them? I've had Silkies in the past that have gone broody in the dead of winter, plucked their chest and belly feathers and managed the weather just fine. Not too mention that NNs are very winter hardy, which you wouldn't expect considering their lack of feathers.
The Silkie you found frozen wouldn't have benefitted from a sweater, in my opinion. And, like sunflour, I'd worry that the sweater could actually do more harm than good if it got wet. And, the birds wouldn't be able to preen any of those feathers under the clothes.

Anyway, in the end they're your birds, just some thoughts is all.

Good luck!
 
Thank you for all the quick replies! I thought about them getting wet and all so I decided to have it on when they sleep at night since that is when chickens are most vulnerable to getting sick. And I didn't know NN were winter hardy! I still want to get some because one winter my Japanese bantam got stuck in the deep snow, and when I found her she was completely soaked and shivering. So I wrapped her up in an old jacket and set her by the fire......Luckily she was ok but she did develop a respiratory illness. So I guess it would be good to have it just in case. Clareb, I love that chicken sweater!! Could I PM you?
 
Just a thought from a total newbie to silkies. Our first birds (and the mites that came home with them . . . grrrr! . . . ) are spending their second night with us in a kennel in the garage as I type.

From what I've read, they handle the cold fine, but not the moisture. Their feathers don't shed water. You might have more luck finding a way to keep them locked in their coop in the winter than finding them sweaters. Walking around in the snow isn't good for them because of the moisture more than the cold. Trying to figure out how to accomplish that for my birds. I can lock them in fine, but it's dark in that henhouse and I don't have a way to get light to them at the moment!
 
Invest in a blow dryer for your chickens so if you find them soaked or simply wet you can blow dry them. Most chickens have no issues over being blow dried. You could also make a covered out door shelter for them to hang out under if you are worried about them getting wet.
 

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