Are silkies good protectors?

[Chickenmumma7]

Hello everyone,

I only ask because they are rather small, but I know small doesn't mean weak! Does anyone have good experience? And is there a way to get them to roost so the other chickens won't poop on them? I have a small coop and the entire second floor will be full of roosting chickens.

Thanks in advance.

 

[sourland]

Sadly, they are far more prey than protector.

 

[Chickenmumma7]

Sadly, they are far more prey than protector.

Aaghh. Thanks :/

 

[Chickenmumma7]

Sadly, they are far more prey than protector.

He puts a good UFC show on ill tell you that much.

 

[Debbie292d]

We raise silkies and yup, they are easy prey. If you don't shave or cut around their eyes, they can't see. They can't fly for squat, and when they run it's laughable.

The roosters do the job of simply calling out when there's a predator in the yard. There are no protectors in the chicken world really, but our two dogs are.

They like wider perches. Ours chose the top of the nest boxes. They are able to hop up or jump up from the ladder to the railing that's in front of the nest boxes. Those that can't do that, just roost on the railing.




See that white one on the end? That's King and he's older than dirt. He's a satin silkie cross of some kind and is who is the main "warner" to the chickens of anything dangerous and they run to the coop, in bushes, up against the house, etc.

 

[Chickenmumma7]

We raise silkies and yup, they are easy prey. If you don't shave or cut around their eyes, they can't see. They can't fly for squat, and when they run it's laughable.

The roosters do the job of simply calling out when there's a predator in the yard. There are no protectors in the chicken world really, but our two dogs are.

They like wider perches. Ours chose the top of the nest boxes. They are able to hop up or jump up from the ladder to the railing that's in front of the nest boxes. Those that can't do that, just roost on the railing.


View attachment 3973715

See that white one on the end? That's King and he's older than dirt. He's a satin silkie cross of some kind and is who is the main "warner" to the chickens of anything dangerous and they run to the coop, in bushes, up against the house, etc.

Oh goodness. Fascinating how a species that cannot see made it to this day and age lol! Thanks a lot for the information.

 

[SilverBirds]

Oh goodness. Fascinating how a species that cannot see made it to this day and age lol! Thanks a lot for the information.

Well, they have been specifically bred in securely comfy cages to look the way they do. I'm sure if they were left to their own devices there wouldn't be a Silkie left in the world.

 

[McChooky]

Oh goodness. Fascinating how a species that cannot see made it to this day and age lol! Thanks a lot for the information.

Trim the feathers around their face so they can run and hide or they'll quickly become a predators lunch.Hidings their only defense

 

[McChooky]

We raise silkies and yup, they are easy prey. If you don't shave or cut around their eyes, they can't see. They can't fly for squat, and when they run it's laughable.

The roosters do the job of simply calling out when there's a predator in the yard. There are no protectors in the chicken world really, but our two dogs are.

They like wider perches. Ours chose the top of the nest boxes. They are able to hop up or jump up from the ladder to the railing that's in front of the nest boxes. Those that can't do that, just roost on the railing.


View attachment 3973715

See that white one on the end? That's King and he's older than dirt. He's a satin silkie cross of some kind and is who is the main "warner" to the chickens of anything dangerous and they run to the coop, in bushes, up against the house, etc.

You'd be hard pressed to find a mouse that would run from these powder puffs!

 

[Debbie292d]

You'd be hard pressed to find a mouse that would run from these powder puffs!

Case in point:
This is daily below one of the wild bird feeders strung in the tree above so the bear can't get it.

The chickens try chase the squirrels and chipmunks off, but they play games and run to the tree, then turn around and come right back.