How high can a silkie go up?

[phasianidae]

One of my hatchery Silkies roosts six feet up but the rest sleep on the floor.

 

[racuda]

Some Silkies can climb a chicken ladder:

But most like it on the floor.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Quote:

 

[Teresaann24]

Quote:
LOL Love it!

 

[ECBW]

Thanks for the info.

A walkup ramp would be a last resort in my small coop. Based on the comments, it seems 1 foot is optimum and 2 feet would be the max. It certainly makes more sense than the 3 feet than I found on the internet. My 1.5 feet elevation might be OK.

I am cautiously optimistic because when going to lock up last night, the silkie was already on the roost. I am not sure if she managed on her own or she got boosted by her friends.

She was annoying the Australorp by snuggling under her, if you can visualize an 8-pounder being cajoled by a 1-pounder.

I want to eyeball her getting up on her own before turning in the verdict.

 

[racuda]

I wanted to mention that even if a Silkie fell from the top of my chicken ladder, about 4 feet, it would be a soft landing. The coop floor has about 8 inches of shavings.

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

i think it depends on the silkie. i have a couple that can flap up onto a chair that is about two feet high. i have others that are perplexed walking up a two inch step. Another can hop up 12" onto a nest box to get to the ramp to the sleeping ledge. But hopping down is another matter. She fusses and frets until i lift her down. i'm thinking as the chickens in that one pen get older, i will have to modify things to make it easier for them to get up and down.

Racuda - your silkies are gorgeous!

 

[NYREDS]

Better quality Silkies can't fly because they can't catch any air with their wings. More poorly bred Silkies with more complete feather structure in their wings can often fly better but still not like a bird with fully formed wing feathers.

 

[Brody's Broodello]

Quote:
WOW!!!! I've NEVER seen silkies that high up! Mine usually get dizzy on a brick.

 

[ECBW]

A follow-up on my bantam silkie. I have been too busy in past few days to stake out. Last night by chance, when I went to lock up, the silkie was not on the roost. So I sat and watched the bantam silkie and others finding their ways to the roost. The silkie sighted the roost, squatted, and repeated a few times. Then in one swift move, leaped up to the roost. I ran for the measuring tape and confirmed that the roost was 24" AFF.

Watching the silkie in action, I must say that it did look like the bird was in flight. At least for the last 6 to 10 inches.