Adding a few silkies to my flock.

[chickenbritt5908]

I'm thinking about adding 2-3 silkies to my mixed flock. I've been reading and know there's the possibility of them being bullied so I understand to keep an eye on that. I've had very good luck with adding new chickens, some that were quite a bit younger than my existing birds.
A question I have is about their sleeping situation. What do they look for in order for them to hunker down for the night? I read that most do not roost. I have space under my nesting boxes, would they sleep under there? I just don't want them to sleep under the roost where they'll get pooped on. Needing to know what kind of accommodations they might need.

 

[chickenlittle21]

Generally no matter what breed, chickens will sleep with the rest of flock. I don't think you have to worry about where and how the silkies will sleep.

 

[SilkieLoverFarm]

It might be helpful to see a picture of your roosting area and your coop.
To make suggestions that might work. You can try to put them to bed under the nesting boxes every night for a couple of weeks and see if they start going there on their own and/or staying there until let out.

In my experience, some silkies do roost. However they don't fly so if you have high roosts they wouldn't be able to get up there without your physical help, or some sort of set up that allows them to climb up and down to their roost spots. (Assuming your current flock doesnt decide they like it). Again you can see if they'll stay there. But not all roost and may find the ground level more to thier liking.

I personally use pine shavings. As a lot of things can cause respitory issues with these little fluffies.

There's no way to say that a silkie would go and roost under your nesting boxes. As my silkies tend to sleep all over the coop, not in just one area, sometimes. Depending what's going on, like a broody, may mix it up or new flock members, etc.

Although the do often go under this roughly 45 degree angle piece of wood in the coop. So you may have some luck with them not getting pooped on with something like that.

You can try a few things, see what works, what doesn't and modify as you go to try to make it work.

How big is your flock? I hope some other flock owners with silkie additions stop in and give you suggestions for integrating. I only have silkies but they too can pick on new comers.

My thought is always slow intergration where they can see each other but not hurt eachother. With supervised time together daily, couple times, to break up fights and try to make it enjoyable. Like treats together, with several piles, to avoid pecking order issues.

From what I've read, it seems to me additions are often not old enough when added and the numbers are too small when adding silkies to already established flocks. Like adding two... I'm not saying this is the problem totally, but an observation.

Have you considered eggs and having one of your chickens hatch them out? This too may help silkies integrate better. Especially if they're hatched out by your top hen in the pecking order.

Just some ideas. Good luck, as I'm sure you will love your silkie additions! Hope your flock does too!!

 

[chickenbritt5908]

It might be helpful to see a picture of your roosting area and your coop.
To make suggestions that might work. You can try to put them to bed under the nesting boxes every night for a couple of weeks and see if they start going there on their own and/or staying there until let out.

In my experience, some silkies do roost. However they don't fly so if you have high roosts they wouldn't be able to get up there without your physical help, or some sort of set up that allows them to climb up and down to their roost spots. (Assuming your current flock doesnt decide they like it). Again you can see if they'll stay there. But not all roost and may find the ground level more to thier liking.

I personally use pine shavings. As a lot of things can cause respitory issues with these little fluffies.

There's no way to say that a silkie would go and roost under your nesting boxes. As my silkies tend to sleep all over the coop, not in just one area, sometimes. Depending what's going on, like a broody, may mix it up or new flock members, etc.

Although the do often go under this roughly 45 degree angle piece of wood in the coop. So you may have some luck with them not getting pooped on with something like that.

You can try a few things, see what works, what doesn't and modify as you go to try to make it work.

How big is your flock? I hope some other flock owners with silkie additions stop in and give you suggestions for integrating. I only have silkies but they too can pick on new comers.

My thought is always slow intergration where they can see each other but not hurt eachother. With supervised time together daily, couple times, to break up fights and try to make it enjoyable. Like treats together, with several piles, to avoid pecking order issues.

From what I've read, it seems to me additions are often not old enough when added and the numbers are too small when adding silkies to already established flocks. Like adding two... I'm not saying this is the problem totally, but an observation.

Have you considered eggs and having one of your chickens hatch them out? This too may help silkies integrate better. Especially if they're hatched out by your top hen in the pecking order.

Just some ideas. Good luck, as I'm sure you will love your silkie additions! Hope your flock does too!!

That’s all super great information! I’ll attach a photo of my set up. I probably worry a little *too* much but I just want a smooth transition if I end up getting these silkies. I like to be responsible.
I have 14 birds, 2 roosters and 12 hens. Age ranging from 5 to 8 months. They’re really a pretty docile flock.

 

[NNYchick]

My silkies don’t use roost but will sleep on a shelf or underneath it. It was supposed to be the nest box area to lay eggs but they lay wherever they want. I would definitely be concerned about them sleeping under the roost and getting poop on. Can you put a tarp or poop board under roost so they won’t sleep there.

 

[chickenbritt5908]

My silkies don’t use roost but will sleep on a shelf or underneath it. It was supposed to be the nest box area to lay eggs but they lay wherever they want. I would definitely be concerned about them sleeping under the roost and getting poop on. Can you put a tarp or poop board under roost so they won’t sleep there.
View attachment 1988754

I definitely could! That isn't a bad idea at all, it would help make clean up easier too!

 

[NNYchick]

After seeing your roost bar they may sleep on the bottom roost.

 

[NNYchick]

I definitely could! That isn't a bad idea at all, it would help make clean up easier too!

Yes I’ve see a tarp hung like a hammock on latter roost like yours. It really would help with clean up. one thing I wish my silkies would do is use a typical roost so I could have poop board or tarp hammock. Instead I’m looking for where they choose to sleep that night and pick up.

 

[SilkieLoverFarm]

I like both your guys setups! You have a great space there. I agree, they could easily get on that bottom roost if they wanted. You could easily throw a piece of wood angled next to the roost too, if they're floor sleepers, even with a shelf, options.

Love the tarp ideas. May use it myself in mine.

Awe, if they're docile, silkies should be just fine. What a cute bunch.

 

[NoodlesMama]

Mine all slept in a pile in the corner for the first few months but were good about figuring out where to sleep to not get pooped on. Now all 6 of mine roost on my lowest roost. It’s about 18 inches off the floor of the coop.