New Hampshire!

[1Chick Magnet]

Since you raise showgirls and silkies I thought Id ask, what does your set up look like for them, especially in winter. I have and Idea on how I want to set my coop and pen up to keep them cozy in the winter but thought Id see what everyone else does it in our area.

I had 2 silkies previously and LOVED them but they were both cockerals so I rehomed them. Im awaiting a batch of silkie hatching eggs for the NYDH, Im super excited!

Anyone else from NH joining the NYDH?

My silkies do not go outside. They live in an insulated building. I have a low perch that they can all jump up on. I go in with a flashlight an put them on the perch to teach them that they should sleep up off the floor.

 

[piglett]

My silkies do not go outside. They live in an insulated building. I have a low perch that they can all jump up on. I go in with a flashlight an put them on the perch to teach them that they should sleep up off the floor.

i keep my silkies in the building too for fear that they will become hawk food
next year i think i'll build them a small yard with overhead mesh to keep them safe

 

[deacons]

8*F here this morning. I felt pretty bad to see several girls huddled up shivering. Anyone have any tricks to jump start them on such cold mornings, or do I need to just stop myself from feeling bad for them and accept the shivering actually warms them up?

 

[chicken pickin]

Try not to feel too bad for them,they can take the cold just fine. In the mornings I give every coop warm drinking water some chicken scratch and I might start offering warm oatmeal on the VERY cold mornings. Other wise I do nothing different and they have all survived.

 

[deacons]

Try not to feel too bad for them,they can take the cold just fine. In the mornings I give every coop warm drinking water some chicken scratch and I might start offering warm oatmeal on the VERY cold mornings. Other wise I do nothing different and they have all survived.

That's my routine too, though mine love warm rice more than oatmeal. They just look so pathetic when they actually shiver!!

 

[piglett]

8*F here this morning. I felt pretty bad to see several girls huddled up shivering. Anyone have any tricks to jump start them on such cold mornings, or do I need to just stop myself from feeling bad for them and accept the shivering actually warms them up?

yes
you need to get them a bag of scratch ASAP
scratch is mostly corn which they will convert to a layer of outer fat
the fat will keep them nice & warm all winter

last year i had about 12 birds & i gave them 50lbs of scratch over a months time

oh also use caution when giving them scratch in warmer months
they can overheat so i only let them have it in the late fall.
the rest of the time a hand full of dry catfood makes for a nice treat



good luck
piglett

 

[deacons]

yes
you need to get them a bag of scratch ASAP
scratch is mostly corn which they will convert to a layer of outer fat
the fat will keep them nice & warm all winter

last year i had about 12 birds & i gave them 50lbs of scratch over a months time

oh also use caution when giving them scratch in warmer months
they can overheat so i only let them have it in the late fall.
the rest of the time a hand full of dry catfood makes for a nice treat 



good luck
piglett

Thanks piglet-they do get a big cupful of scratch (mixed with black oil sunflower seeds) in the morning, and as a bribe when I need to get them in from free ranging during the day

I definitely do give it much more sparingly in the summer, but this time of year, they do get quite a bit more.

 

[1Chick Magnet]

i keep my silkies in the building too for fear that they will become hawk food
next year i think i'll build them a small yard with overhead mesh to keep them safe

I have 2 silkies that are living with my layers right now. I do not free range. The layers have a dog pen with a roof for outside. The silkies could go out but do not want to. These 2 live inside by choice. they know they are princesses. I am afraid of hawks too. I have a hawk who does a very low fly by on occasion.

 

[1Chick Magnet]

8*F here this morning. I felt pretty bad to see several girls huddled up shivering. Anyone have any tricks to jump start them on such cold mornings, or do I need to just stop myself from feeling bad for them and accept the shivering actually warms them up?

I too give my birds warm food and boiling water to drink when it is cold. mine do not free range. I recently zip tied tarps to 3 sides of the dog kennel which is their yard. yesterday I bought clear vynal and a grommet kit so I can make side 4 a big solar window. Even with the 3 sides it blocks the wind pretty well.

 

[piglett]

I have 2 silkies that are living with my layers right now. I do not free range. The layers have a dog pen with a roof for outside. The silkies could go out but do not want to. These 2 live inside by choice. they know they are princesses. I am afraid of hawks too. I have a hawk who does a very low fly by on occasion.

my 4 silkies stay in their own corner pen inside the main coop
the buff & lemon orpingtons are so large that i think a hawk would have a tough time to carry one of them off for a snack