Do Silkies roost? How do they sleep? How can I set it up?

[SavvySilkieMom]

Mine roosted on the ground in a huddle while they were little, but once they got bigger they upgraded to the roosts. The boys sleep on the high roost and the girls on the low. My silkies are hatchery quality so they have some "bad" silkie feathers, which lets them fly a little but not well.

I see. Wondering if they are both roos do they still need a nesting box?

 

[SavvySilkieMom]

Thank you for the wonderful advice ♡♡♡♡

 

[NikkiW17]

Oh silkies. I love that breed. That’s what I’m switching to my next go round (I have 13 chickens of several varieties) it will take them a little while before they are big/strong enough to hop onto a roost. Agreed with the other posts on holding off on a nest box until you know if they are male or female first. If you’re keeping them inside in the tray you’ve got this is my personal experience but Tractor Supply sells 40lb bags of pine pellets (sold as horse bedding) that do amazing for chicken droppings. They turn into saw dust when they break down and smell amazing. Chickens can be stinky!! Lol

 

[SavvySilkieMom]

When silkies are small the usually sleep in a pile. Once they get older they will roost to sleep if you provide them with a low roost. Silkie feathers are different from regular feathers of other chickens. They aren't flight feathers so if the roost is higher than the silkie can jump, the silkie probably won't be able to get up on it. If you make one about 6 inches tall, they may use it. I'd put some poop boards under it to make clean up easier.

The hutch i purchased has removable trays for clean up. If they roost to sleep why do they need a nesting box? dont they sleep in those or thats only for hens to lay?

 

[SavvySilkieMom]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HLXJ3P4/?tag=backy-20
That is the hutch

What should i use for a roost? for only 2 birds

 

[SavvySilkieMom]

They would love sleeping in their nesting box, but you do not want them to do that! Chickens poop through the night when they sleep, so if your silkies are hens, they will be pooping in the same nests that the lay eggs in, which means a dirty poopy egg for you.

You want clean eggs, so you don't have to wash them. Washing eggs washes off the bloom, which is there to protect them from bacteria. The eggs will go bad faster if you wash the bloom off.

So do not let them sleep in the nest box. Getting them used to sleeping on a roost between 4 and 6 inches high would be best for both you and them.

EDIT: of course, if your silkies are both boys, the egg problem does not apply. But you still want them to roost, so they aren't sitting in their own poop.

So they will be covered in poo every morning? Oh no!
I will have to close the upper compartment of the hutch every night so they dont sleep in the nesting boxes. how thick should the roost be? I heard a 2 by 4 is good because it shouldnt be too thin or round so its easy to be on.Is that true? Also do roosters need a nesting box too?

 

[SavvySilkieMom]

Oh silkies. I love that breed. That’s what I’m switching to my next go round (I have 13 chickens of several varieties) it will take them a little while before they are big/strong enough to hop onto a roost. Agreed with the other posts on holding off on a nest box until you know if they are male or female first. If you’re keeping them inside in the tray you’ve got this is my personal experience but Tractor Supply sells 40lb bags of pine pellets (sold as horse bedding) that do amazing for chicken droppings. They turn into saw dust when they break down and smell amazing. Chickens can be stinky!! Lol

Great advice I need to buy in bulk

 

[Matilda Belle]

Some of my silkies roost while others sleep in a pile. I think it's their own personal preference.

 

[SavvySilkieMom]

You guys I cant figure out how to start a new thread? I used to be ablle to do it from my home page but it doesnt show that link anymore?? please help