Yes there’s the option of the wire but if you don’t already have a kennel I’d take a chance with a baby chick and give it back to the store it came from if it doesn’t work out or list it on kijiji or craigslist or in the byc buy and sell section. A kennel is at least $50 unless you can find a used one but chick is about $4 and you get a hen to raise it for you plus I have read hens that are allowed to raise chicks can live longer since they spend less time laying eggs. You could also buy fertilized eggs or check if the silkie eggs are fertile. I had a rooster fertilize eggs at 4 months, not sure if they can fertilize them earlier than that? But in the long run if you don’t see yourself letting every hen hatch eggs when she is broody (and having to deal with roosters that hatch) a wire bottom cage may be the better option.
. i'll probably only every try to break mine if I desperately can't have chicks for any reason.
