Silkie Breeding enclosure.

[YanceyB]

Hi all,

I have a couple silkies I'm thinking of putting together and let breed (if they want to). I don't have the room to build a coop AND run for them alone. I do have room for a coop, though. Any suggestions on what kind of coop I should house them in? Does it need to be on the ground, or will a raised coop on legs work? Tips would be greatly appreciated (the advice kind not the money kind, although I will accept both) Pictures or drawings would be very helpful.
Thanks in adavance!

 

[PioneerChicks]

I need to make a breeding pen also. This is my first year with silkies but I have learned by experience that, unlike most breeds, their feathers are NOT waterproof. I would advise you (and myself) to put a cover on the top of the WHOLE run, because the silkies do not mind rain and will happily let themselves get sooaked. Maybe they don't mind, but I do; because I am the one who has to blow dry them at night so they don't freeze!

 

[aart]

Hi all,

I have a couple silkies I'm thinking of putting together and let breed (if they want to). I don't have the room to build a coop AND run for them alone. I do have room for a coop, though. Any suggestions on what kind of coop I should house them in? Does it need to be on the ground, or will a raised coop on legs work? Tips would be greatly appreciated (the advice kind not the money kind, although I will accept both) Pictures or drawings would be very helpful.
Thanks in adavance!

How many birds do you plan on putting in there?
Do you have multiple males?

Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!

 

[Matilda Belle]

Here are pictures of my silkie set up. I currently have two pens -a split coop and a divided run. My advice would be to not cover the entire run, but just a portion of it. Silkies love to stand in the summer rain and dust bathe in the sun.

Chickens should not be kept inside a coop. They need access to the outdoors. I would recommend an enclosed run or letting them free range.

My coop is raised off the ground with a ramp and mine can get up and down the ramp fine. Just make sure it's not too steep. Also remember the minimum spacing is 4 square feet per bird inside the coop, and 10 square feet per bird in the outside run.

 

[CatWhisperer]

I hope you aren’t planning on keeping them solely in a coop. They need accesss to a run.

 

[YanceyB]

How many birds do you plan on putting in there?
Do you have multiple males?

Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!
View attachment 1997207

I have 2 roosters and 1 hen. Was thinking of putting 1 rooster and 1 hen together. Hen is black, 1 rooster is buff, 1 is white.
I'm in central TX. Austin-ish. Updated on my profile.
Thanks

 

[YanceyB]

I hope you aren’t planning on keeping them solely in a coop. They need accesss to a run.

I was hoping to keep them in a coop due to space but upon further research I think I'll need a run of some sort. I can do some rearranging and put in a small run.