I'm getting Silkies this summer and I have a couple questions.

[Luinhir]

I'm getting two silkie pullets this summer and I have a couple questions about caring for them. I want to make sure I do it all right.
1. Do they require special care, different from other chickens?
2. How hot is too hot for them outside?
3. How cold is too cold for them outside?
4. When it's too hot, how can I cool them down?
5. When it's too cold, how can I warm them up?
6. How do they do in the rain and snow?
7. What fresh foods can I give them from the garden and store?
8. When the hens go broody, should I leave them alone or can I take them out of the coop to check them out once in a while?
9. How long to they stay broody?
10. When the hen is broody and she's sitting on infertil eggs, should I leave them under her or should I take them out?
11. Will the eggs get bad if I leave them alone until she gets off?
12. I know they don't do well on high perches, how high should their perches be?
13. How long will it take for the birds to get used to me and start "liking" me? Or does it vary from bird to bird?

I'm sure I'll come up with more questions once I think about it some more.

Thank you Thank you.

 

[Smoky73]

Here are my answers to some of the questions1. Do they require special care, different from other chickens?

I don't do anything different for them as any of my other birds, except for roosts and nesting boxes.

4. When it's too hot, how can I cool them down?

Provide lots of shade, maybe a fan to suck hot air out of the coop (good ventalation) I have a misting system set up for all my birds. Good cold fresh water.

5. When it's too cold, how can I warm them up?

Nice draft free housing, and a heat lamp if REALLY cold.

6. How do they do in the rain and snow?

Mine never go outside in inclement weather, by their own choice. Half the time I cant get them to come out even in good weather, LOL.

8. When the hens go broody, should I leave them alone or can I take them out of the coop to check them out once in a while?

Always make sure to check a broody to be sure she is eating and drinking. Sometimes the silly birds won't move off the nest for anything.

9. How long to they stay broody?
Up to 4 weeks I would think but sometimes longer if there is no eggs.

10. When the hen is broody and she's sitting on infertil eggs, should I leave them under her or should I take them out?

Take the eggs away.

11. Will the eggs get bad if I leave them alone until she gets off?

Best to take them away if they are not fertile.

12. I know they don't do well on high perches, how high should their perches be?

I dont have perches for them. I only had a silkie once use one. Nest boxes need to be on the ground too.

 

[chickflick]

I remove my broody hen from her nest and put her into a different cage....with no nesting material. Make sure she has food and water. I also take her out of her cage, and try and get to walk around a bit, and if it's nice out and the other chickens are outside, I take her out to be with them. It seems to help snap them out of it faster. Give her her favorite treats, also, to encourage her to eat.