I have a young 'group' of birds that I finally took out of the brooder a few weeks ago. This flock consists of 3 guinea keets and 3 chicks, one of which is a silkie. They lived in our small (abandoned) coop for a week or so, then I decided to let them free range. Of course, the guineas decided they wanted to roost in the barn with the rest of the birds, and decided that the quail room was the place to be. This is where all the mamas with chicks end up, on top of the cages in the quail room. So the guineas and 2 of the chickens moved into the barn, and the poor little silkie was left all alone, going back to the coop.
A few days went by, and apparently the silkie has figured out where everyone else is going, and now wants to roost on top of the cages too. Only problem is, silkies can't fly very well, so it is impossible for the baby to get up there. It 'flies' from the floor on top of a cooler used for feed, then onto the open dresser drawer (one of our 'nests') where Bertha the broody cochin lives. Not a good place to be. So I have since been catching the little thing and putting it up on top of the cages too.
The first week or so, I had to chase the chick to catch it, but now, when I go out to check water and gather quail eggs, this chick seeks me out, just waiting to go to bed! In the process of putting the chick on top of the cages, the guineas and other chick (lost one to a dog
) leave, which makes it easier for the silkie to be on the bottom of the pile, where anyone that has silkies KNOWS they love to be!!
I have very few birds that actually want me to touch them, so this one that seeks me out and makes no fuss about being picked up tugs at the heart strings
A few days went by, and apparently the silkie has figured out where everyone else is going, and now wants to roost on top of the cages too. Only problem is, silkies can't fly very well, so it is impossible for the baby to get up there. It 'flies' from the floor on top of a cooler used for feed, then onto the open dresser drawer (one of our 'nests') where Bertha the broody cochin lives. Not a good place to be. So I have since been catching the little thing and putting it up on top of the cages too.
The first week or so, I had to chase the chick to catch it, but now, when I go out to check water and gather quail eggs, this chick seeks me out, just waiting to go to bed! In the process of putting the chick on top of the cages, the guineas and other chick (lost one to a dog
I have very few birds that actually want me to touch them, so this one that seeks me out and makes no fuss about being picked up tugs at the heart strings
