New Owner Incoming, with chicks

[4 ever Orpington]

Hi there!
I have a horse and have been fancying the idea of getting a few chickens to keep the flies at bay since he's been moved to my backyard and the boarding barn had chickens to help keep the flies down. My mom fell in love with some silkie chicks, we brought them home, and they passed overnight.

I believe we kept the light to far away from them afraid of roasting them and instead they were too cold. (I had placed a stuffed animal in there and they were under the stuffed animal in the morning, passed, so assuming they were too cold). Pic is of the set-up they had.

The place we got them from has a "if they die in 20 days, you can exchange them" so I want to make sure everything is perfect before we bring the next two home. It was recommended to me to lower the lamp 24 inches and to pick up a temp gun as the nesting temp should be around 95-100 F.

Any recommendations and advice is more than welcome! I've been trying to find info online, but hands-on help is more than appreciated!

 

[WhiteWyan]

So true! If only they didn't SCREAM so often!
Mary

Yeah more like an echoing chorus of screams...

 

[Folly's place]

Years ago we had friends who had both guineas and peafowl. It cured me forever!
Mary

 

[Rawrcat]

My mom is the one who is set on the Silkies... she loves the feathered feet. I just have the one horse in the backyard in a 12x24 corral, with a shed for a tackroom. Are two silkies really not too ideal for that situation? The feed store gentlemen were all for it. I wanted to thank everyone for the help and input! As well as the welcomes!

 

[auntiesocial]

Silkies, in addition to being delicate and vulnerable to predators, aren’t great fly catchers. Their vision is generally not good due to their crests. Some of the other Bantam breeds have feathered feet, Cochins, D’Uccles, and others. They are probably going to be hardier too.
You know what makes stellar flycatchers? Ducks. I added ducks to keep the flies from the chickens down!

 

[AllenK RGV]

Guinea fowl also good for insect control. Just sayin.

I agree I like them on youtube really wanted to get some until I saw them on youtube! I was cured of that desire in no time!