Hello from Boise! Building a coop and have seven chicks in my guest bedroom!

[Clarebaxter]

Hello,

I finally took the leap and started building my coop. I have seven chicks in the guest bedroom and can't wait to get them into the coop this weekend. I have one silkie, Rodney, our funky chicken mascot. She/he is younger than the rest and I am concerned if I put them in the new coop the rest will roost and leave Rodney with no one to cuddle with. Should I be concerned. I will bring out the heat lamp for another couple of weeks....

Thanks!



Clare

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Welcome to BYC!!

Glad you joined us!

 

[drumstick diva]

silkies usually don't roost, they pile up on the ground(floor). Maybe if you had a lower perch he would use it and feel closer to the others.

 

[The Howards]

Hi and welcome to BYC from NC! Drumstick diva is right, silkies sleep in a pile on the floor of the coop. We have 1 silkie also she shares a coop with a bantam Easter Egger and 2 Muscovy ducks. The silkie will occasionally sleep on the perch we have, it is only about 1.5" off the floor of the coop. Otherwise she sleeps on the floor in front of her house mate that is perched.

 

[sumi]

Hello and welcome to BYC

Glad you joined us!

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, Clare, and

! Happy to have you with us!! Enjoy your birds and best wishes!

 

[Clarebaxter]

Do you think one silky chick can keep itself warm with a lamp if all the others roost and leave him alone on the floor? Or should I keep him in the house until he has feathered out? I could leave him and one other chick in the brooder until he was ready.

 

[The Howards]

Most of us don't put them in a coop till they are fully feathered out. They are not able to retain the needed heat until then. If they are still small and fluffy they will go where ever the heat source is. If it were me though I would keep them all in the brooder till they have all their feathers. I would definitely leave one with her though, they need that companionship, if you do decide to move the others out.

 

[weimarmama]

&

from Alabama. Glad you joined us.

 

[sourland]

Hustle on that coop - those little beggars grow rapidly. Good luck, and welcome to BYC.