Do Silkies Roost

So I moved my young hens out to the coop (9 weeks old) after two days all of the 6 except for the silkie have started roosting. The roost is probably 24 inches high with a board at 16". The silkie has not been able (maybe does not want to?) get on the roost, I read somewhere that Silkies like to sleep on the ground.. She now sleeps by herself huddled in a corner of the coop. Works for now, but I worry how she will keep warm in the winter. Will she start to roost, or do I need to get her a coop floor partner?

Lehi Cougar said:

So I moved my young hens out to the coop (9 weeks old) after two days all of the 6 except for the silkie have started roosting. The roost is probably 24 inches high with a board at 16". The silkie has not been able (maybe does not want to?) get on the roost, I read somewhere that Silkies like to sleep on the ground.. She now sleeps by herself huddled in a corner of the coop. Works for now, but I worry how she will keep warm in the winter. Will she start to roost, or do I need to get her a coop floor partner?

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My silkies do not roost. Their feathers make it impossible to fly far. You could try making a step ladder type arrangement so the silkie is able to get up the two feet. You might have to "teach" the hen how to get to the roost.

Most of my Silkies do not roost although I do have a couple that will. No worries though they will usually make a little Silkie pile in the corner and sleep that way.


I also have large fowl Silkied Ameraucana that has the same type of feathers as a normal Silkie chicken and they also do not roost and will usually sleep in a little chicken pile in the corner.

The Silkied feathering does not allow the chicken to fly well if at all so they are more comfortable staying grounded. I am sure a sleeping buddy is appreciated but not necessary as warmth is not usually an issue in the winter.

Good luck with your babies!!!

Thanks for the replies. All of the chickens used to sleep in a chicken ball. But she is the only Silkie of the six, will she stay warm in a Utah winter by herself?

Lehi Cougar said:

Thanks for the replies. All of the chickens used to sleep in a chicken ball. But she is the only Silkie of the six, will she stay warm in a Utah winter by herself?

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I do not know about Utah's winters, but here in Wisconsin a silkie by herself, on the floor, in an unheated coop would probably die. My bird room is heated; I've lost too many birds to Wisconsin winters. Making the perch "handicapped accessible" would ensure that the hen would have a better chance.

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We have one silkie that does use the roost and another that doesn't. However, we do have a ramp up to the roosts - ours are 3' high. She is happy snuggling up with the other chickens. The silkie who doesn't roost sleeps in the nest boxes. She gets in there in the evening and leaves for the day...unless she goes broody, which is often! lol!

They managed fine in my insulated but unheated coop in our BC winter. See if your silkie won't access the roost when given a ramp. If not, make her a box on the ground that is like a nest box and she should be ok.

Good luck!

Soooo, designing a coop for 3 Silkies. Should I put a nice bed on the floor, slightly elevated nesting boxes with a ramp and not bother with a roost unless they poop in the nesting boxes? I give them a branch to jump around on in their brooder and their playpen/tractor, but they all sleep together on the floor right now. Not sure if I should take up space in the coop with a roost and poop board unless they don't go for the ground floor accommodations. Thoughts?

snhchick said:

Soooo, designing a coop for 3 Silkies. Should I put a nice bed on the floor, slightly elevated nesting boxes with a ramp and not bother with a roost unless they poop in the nesting boxes? I give them a branch to jump around on in their brooder and their playpen/tractor, but they all sleep together on the floor right now. Not sure if I should take up space in the coop with a roost and poop board unless they don't go for the ground floor accommodations. Thoughts?

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My silkies are strictly ground birds. Nest boxes are on the floor. I do have a few roosts for my seramas and a single "mutt" hen. The silkies make a pile in a corner which I clean out daily.

My silkie has finally jumped up to the poop board about 12 inches off the ground. It cuddles up there beneath the other chickens, so they can roost and she chooses to everynight now. Once in awhile another chicken will join her on the "lower roost"

I'm happy I found this thread! I have two groups of young silkies. A 7wk old group and a 11 wk old group. Neither use the roosts. And the roosts are low. The lowest roost is maybe 6 inches off the ground (I'll have to measure to be sure). I put them on the roost but they just jump off. They can reach it but they choose not to. Will they grow out of this??