Anyone raise silkie chickens?

[Aliasofryan]

So I have two 2 week old silkie chicks and they are now laying flat and fanning out their wings? The temp in their brooder is in the high 80’s...common sense tells me they are too hot but they were fine yesterday. Should I move them to their own brooder and lower the temperature? The chick they are in there with now is acting fine but she’s also a golden comet.

 

[losttexan]

I've seen lots of posts re: silkies' different temperature tolerances, but I haven't found them to be that different from any other breed.
Your chicks may be "sunbathing" (are they laying on their sides with their legs stretched out)?
Two-week olds shouldn't be overheating at 80s. If they are truly too hot, I would expect to see panting or them crowded into the corners, attempting to get to where it is cooler. What is your heat-source? Can you send a pic of them doing what you describe?

 

[losttexan]

Also - if you did move them, would you be leaving your comet alone?

 

[Aliasofryan]

Also - if you did move them, would you be leaving your comet alone?

They aren’t doing it now and yes my comet would be by herself

 

[elliephunt]

Hi! When I showed silkies in the heat of July, they would often do this action that your describing. I hosed them down with water whenever I saw this, especially if it looked like they were panting. I'm sure you don't have to go to this extent , but if they are panting that's a good sign that they're hot.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Ellie your a old hand at Silky so thank you for chiming in

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I hatch and raise Silkie's at the same temp as every other chick.

Common sense is pretty good for SOME people!

High 80's is almost 90 to me... and my chicks sometimes sleep in a large circles but get closer under at times So I usually raise it to meet their sleeping distance where they can comfortably lay down and not have to stand up to be warm once they've done their initial warm back up from their adventure.

As long as there is room for them to cool off, they will be fine and should all be kept together. Keep you eye out for pasty butt, sometimes happens if too warm.

 

[losttexan]

As ellie indicates, wetting down 2-week olds should not be necessary (or, might I add, a good idea) at that age. That's why I asked what your heat source is. Obviously, that is the one factor that has the most impact, and I'm not sure how to advise without knowing the answer.

 

[losttexan]

I ask about the comet because chickens, being social creatures, do not do well as singletons. That would concern me more than Silkies seemingly too hot in 80-something temps (assuming that's accurate). If you determine separation is absolutely necessary, at least try to orient them where they can see their erstwhile clutch-mates.

 

[Aliasofryan]

Everything worked itself it I just raised the lamp a little higher. Everyone is now in the coop