Black or white silkies - which look grubbier in their natural state?

[Year of the Rooster]

Quote:
This is interesting, I always hear this and thought it too. When I rebuilt and enlarged the silkies' coop last summer, I added roosts because I was already considering building new silkie coops and giving theirs over to more bantam cochins. About half of mine love the roosts that I put in and use them every night, even when it is really cold. Anyone else have any that use them?

What Hangin Wit My Peeps said is False. Silkies CAN and WILL roost just like any other chicken/bird as long as they can reach it. If it is too high then they will not roost as their feather structures do not allow them to fly as well. Mine do roost as well, but do not and cannot roost on the branches I have placed in their run. IMO, anything taller than 14" would be to high for them.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Most of mine have no interest in roosting, even on a roost as low as 4". A few, however, do enjoy a roost and will make an effort to find something to perch atop. So, I try to give therm several options--even just a 2x4 laid on the ground.

 

[mom'sfolly]

My very pale buff hen looks good when she is dry, but lordy, when she's wet its a whole 'nother story. I think she thinks she is part duck, she shows an unnatural interest in the pond, and when it rains, she always seems to dust bathe 10 minutes before it starts. Mud puppy! But she dries out quickly and looks fine must of the time.

 

[iajewel]

I love my black silkies, they are always so pretty.

 

[Teresaann24]

My silkies do not like to roost either. If I offer them a low roosting bar they may roost but they choose to find a warm spot with lots of shavings or hay to sleep on.

Also like to add I have 1 white hen who LOVES to be nasty. She is a very dirty girl and is hard to keep clean. Also both my black hens tend to get dirty crests..LOL but I love them none the less.

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

What Hangin Wit My Peeps said is False. Silkies CAN and WILL roost just like any other chicken/bird as long as they can reach it. If it is too high then they will not roost as their feather structures do not allow them to fly as well. Mine do roost as well, but do not and cannot roost on the branches I have placed in their run. IMO, anything taller than 14" would be to high for them.

I never said they CAN'T roost I'm saying mine never do. Never have and they are adults and do have a roost. Most silkies I have seen here do not roost. From what I have learned here most choose not to roost. I have six all all choose not to roost.​

 

[Year of the Rooster]

Quote:
I never said they CAN'T roost I'm saying mine never do. Never have and they are adults and do have a roost. Most silkies I have seen here do not roost. From what I have learned here most choose not to roost. I have six all all choose not to roost.

I am merely stating the facts. Seeing is believing I guess.

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

I found some pictures of soggy silkies.

The white one usually gets dirtiest on her topknot. The blue just gets soggy all over.
Hope these help!

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

Citygirl...that pic is hilarious. My white roo always looked like that too. He seemed to bath his topknot in whatever dirty water he could find

My hens don't do that for some reason...just him

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

This isn't a silkie, but the picture was also made that same day. Clearly it was a bad hair day all around.