Should geriatric chickens sleep indoors?

[Elle111]

Hi, I was just curious about what you all think of it. As of age 8, I let my silkie sleep indoors, I figured she needed it, as I saw her slow down a bit. What did you all do/plan to do?

 

[saysfaa]

Indoors, like in the house rather than inside a coop?

 

[Elle111]

Yes, I set up a cardboard box inside the house for her with bedding. I'm thinking of adopting some older chickens, and in doubt if I should do the same. She liked it anyway

 

[Debbie292d]

An 8-year-old silkie is getting up there for sure. That's sweet you're helping her out.

Our silkies all have either a coop heated to 40°F or a Cozy Coop radiant panel heater in the growout pens.

I have some "geriatric" ones that don't come out of the coop when it gets in the low teens, yet, I have some 6-weeks old that are frolicking in it. They head into their hutches to warm up for a few minutes, then right back out again.

 

[Elle111]

An 8-year-old silkie is getting up there for sure. That's sweet you're helping her out.

Our silkies all have either a coop heated to 40°F or a Cozy Coop radiant panel heater in the growout pens.

I have some "geriatric" ones that don't come out of the coop when it gets in the low teens, yet, I have some 6-weeks old that are frolicking in it. They head into their hutches to warm up for a few minutes, then right back out again.

She died at 12, about a month ago, but yes , she loved it. The silkies I'm looking to adopt are about 5.

 

[saysfaa]

Too much dander so, no, no chickens in our house. And dust or else they would either not get to dustbath or would have to go through abrupt temperature swings in the winter. I think that would be harder on them than living outside when they are acclimated to it.

 

[Elle111]

Too much dander so, no, no chickens in our house. And dust or else they would either not get to dustbath or would have to go through abrupt temperature swings in the winter. I think that would be harder on them than living outside when they are acclimated to it.

The climate contrast, that's a fair point.