New Member - lots of Silkies questions!

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eloisemarie

eloisemarie

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Hi Group! I have recently purchased five silkies that were two months old (they're now 9 weeks old), and as my dad and I are taking care of them, we're learning we have a lot of questions! So far they like their coop and are learning the ramps really well. They're really good eaters! Even after just one week they're already bigger. We are working to get the coop to have a better layout to deal with all of the poop...I didn't realize how much there would be. Here are my questions:
  • What is the best way to deal with the poop situation? Is a removable tray best?
  • Do they do well with a mesh that they would have to walk on? Or is something more solid better? We were thinking of making a mesh layer for their main level and then the poop would fall through and we could just clean underneath.
  • What is the best way to bathe them?
  • How much freedom should they have outside of the coop when it's hot out? What about when it is raining? Are they smart enough to find shade and go back to their water if it's too hot?

I think that's it for now! I really appreciate everyone's suggestions!
 
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BYC has several silkie threads running, I recommend "Grooming Silkies for Show," for all you need to know about bathing. If you don't plan on showing them you don't need to follow all the steps - ie., second bathing, specials rinses etc. etc.

There are threads for Buff Silkies, Partridge(colored) Silkies, Silkies, etc. etc. put it in your search box and they will pop up.

The silkie people I know of, don't use wire mesh floors .- feet are of major importance in showing - and they could lose a nail, etc. getting stuck in the wire- aside from it not being very comfortable to walk on (my opinion - don't know what the silkies would say).

They do instead use lots of pine shavings etc in the coop. I am assuming you are asking about "free ranging outside the coop'. Silkies have large crests, and usually beards which ,impair their vision ,making them a good target for predators.. Their silkied feathers are not made for flying - tho can hop and jump higher than you would expect. The also tend to pile up together on the floor at night rather than using the roosts.

They would do best in an enclosed run. Some stay indoors when the weather is bad others are out during rain and seem oblivious to it. A covered or partially solid covered run would be beneficial during rain and hot sun.
 
Thank you so much for the information! I will look at the threads about bathing and then hopefully their weekend baths go well!
And yes, I was asking about free ranging outside of the coop. They will be put back in the coop at night, so will only have daytime hours that they'll be out and about. We built a fence around their coop so they have part of the yard in which to free range.
 
Hello and welcome....so glad you joined BYC

Love your avatar. Pretty girl

All my silkies sleep on the floor together. I have to clean that area every couple of days and put down new shavings.
Also be very careful of predators. Like DDiva said silkies cant see well or run very fast. A fox snatched one of my girls a couple of days ago and had come back and was carrying another one away when we scared it off. Thankfully it dropped the second girl (unharmed). Very heartbreaking.

Good luck to you and enjoy your new girls
 
Welcome to BYC!!!
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Glad to have you aboard!!
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