newbie silkie questions . . .

[KatyTheChickenLady]

Do they ever fly? even just a little?
Do they "roost" on the ground? should I put in a low roost for them? If so how low?
we get snow in winter but not much and temps don't go to low. My LF have no need for heat in the coop in winter. Will the silkies?
thanks!

 

[Fay at Frizzled Feathers]

No Silkies dont fly but they do jump a little but not too high.
My silkies roost on the ground never ever go up on a roost , although i know some people have had theirs roost right along with their other chickens.
No , they shouldnt need any heat ,mine do just fine in the winter with no heat .

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

oh thank you! do you think they will go outside like the others when there is snow?

 

[laughingllama75]

Mine do, but they stay on the shoveld areas. Also, if you let them out, check thier feet for ice balls......the snow sticks to thier feathers, and can cause major problems.

 

[SunshineSilkies]

My silkies prefer to huddle in a corner rather that the perch. I have one about 3 feet high in case they ever get the urge, but they are happy all cuddled together. Even in north Florida, the temps can get cold in the winter, so I always put a heat lamp in with them(they are so spoiled)

They flap their wings alot, but no flying!!

 

[juliecox]

Even a couple of feet is too high for them to jump. Yesterday my (admittedly kinda dumb) Silkie tried to jump into the upper part of the coop (2.5' high) and ended up sprawled on her back, looking surprised and rumped. This is the same chicken who likes to sleep INSIDE the feeder can. >.< Ah well I guess she feels safe. They're such funny birds!

 

[robin416]

A very determined rooster can and does get as high as four feet. All of my pens are four feet high, that would normally be high enough but I had two that could make it the four feet with a hop, jump, flap routine going. And the old adage if at first you don't succeed, try, try again usually worked for those two.

King, my old guy and first Silkie roosts two feet off the ground. Many of my Silkies have a low platform that's made from a deck board that they sleep on at night.

The roos appear to be the more determined to find a roost spot and usually the girls follow or hunker down in front of him at night.

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

thanks a lot! I appreciate the help.

 

[sonew123]

Hey Katy,

My silkies "jump" up into the nesting boxes to snuggle his girls everynight! Never saw them roost though..The nesting boxes are about 1 1/2-2 ft off the ground-

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

I have silkies (boys and girls both) who will hop up 2-3 feet to get into the upper level of one of my coops. I used to have a cock who regularly chose to roost atop a 4' tall wire fence (no top pole--just 2x3 wire), loosely constructed--most chickens will avoid perching on something like that--mine never read that lesson in their "How to Be a Chicken" primer.

I have a couple of concrete block steps to a "loft" in one of my coops. The silkies sometimes perch on that, or if I have the loft with the 2x4s on top (versus under) the wire, some will perch on those. Most cuddle together into a snuggley pile.