Should i ger silkies?? - Need some advice

[LittleDuckies]

Hey! I'm thinking about getting 4-5 silkies next spring but I'm not sure how they would handle the winters. I live it idaho so winter can be a bit harsh. I know silkies are a delicate breed so I'm curious as to how they do in winter, I haven't been able to find much online about the topic. Do I keep them in a warm coop 24/7 or do I let them out during the day?? I really do want silkies but just don't want to get them if I can't properly care for them

 

[McChooky]

Hey! I'm thinking about getting 4-5 silkies next spring but I'm not sure how they would handle the winters. I live it idaho so winter can be a bit harsh. I know silkies are a delicate breed so I'm curious as to how they do in winter, I haven't been able to find much online about the topic. Do I keep them in a warm coop 24/7 or do I let them out during the day?? I really do want silkies but just don't want to get them if I can't properly care for them

They're beautiful and sweet and make great pets but they're probably one of the number one favorite prey animals on a predators lists! Be prepared to trim the feathers out of their eyes regularly so they can at least see where they're going and hide! They may not lay as many eggs as some hens but on the plus side they make great broody hens! As long as you have a plan for what to do with all the babies I see no reason why you wouldn't want some of these beautiful birds!

 

[McChooky]

I live in zone 6 where temps fall 10 or 20 degrees below zero F so silkies aren't suitable here.Their feathers are different from my other chickens and don't keep them warm and dry here.

 

[Folly's place]

Silkies don't cope with either very hot or very cold weather, those cute feathers aren't all that insulating. And as mentioned, they are great predator bait. Some will live in the right mixed breed flock, but many people keep them housed by themselves, which also helps manage them in difficult weather.
They can't really fly, another negative, IMO.
Can you tell that I'm not a fan?!
Mary

 

[MommyGirl]

I want some silkies as well but scared to take a chance on them. I’m not sure they would do well with the heat of Georgia or my standard size girls. And I’m terrified they would be more to maintain than my others. I may one day if I can build them a separate coop and run

 

[LittleDuckies]

This is so helpful! I currently don't have any other chicken flocks, only ducks so the silkies would be housed separately. I want them to have a suitable area for winter and summer, since idaho winters get quite cold. If I'm able to get tips on how to house them in winter that would be awesome

 

[MommyGirl]

I’m not sure about winter maybe some others will know. We don’t get much of a winter here.it’s mostly the heat I have to worry about

 

[fluffycrow]

My experience with the breed is very limited. I currently have one silkie mix.



She does fine in the 40°C+ summers, but I cannot say anything about cold winters; we rarely get those. her silkie feathering is a pain when it rains. It doesn't help much that it seems she enjoys staying in the rain.



Whether or not your silkies need crest trims depends on their line. If they're hatchery quality, then most likely their crest will be too small to be a problem.



I will also say that my particular hen is not very predator-aware. The silkie mix cockerel I had in the past was far more predator-aware

 

[LittleDuckies]

I’m not sure about winter maybe some others will know. We don’t get much of a winter here.it’s mostly the heat I have to worry about

If I end up getting them I've seen some good ways to cool them down, winter on the other hand they get wet and cold. I was thinking about giving them a heated and insulated coop and letting them out half of the day? Not sure if it would work, haha.

 

[fluffycrow]

My experience with the breed is very limited. I currently have one silkie mix.



She does fine in the 40°C+ summers, but I cannot say anything about cold winters; we rarely get those her silkie feathering is a pain when it rains. It doesn't help much that it seems she enjoys staying in the rain.



Whether or not your silkies need crest trims depends on their line. If they're hatchery quality, then most likely their crest will be too small to be a problem.



I will also say that my particular hen is not very predator-aware. The silkie mix cockerel I had in the past was far more predator-aware

Forgot to add to my post: @Debbie292d keeps and breeds silkies (pretty darn good ones too) in Wisconsin. She can be of more help answering your silkie questions