Silkie Chick making me crazy

[grettasurfergirl]

Hi! We adopted 3 EE chicks and 1 Silkie chick from my son’s preschool class and they just turned 8 weeks yesterday. They’ve been out in their coop for one week now. At night they ideally go up a chicken ladder to the small elevated coop where they sleep. I used treats and the EE have figured this out in a day. In the early evening when I go up to close the door, the three of them are asleep inside. The silkie, however, cannot seem to figure this out! I’ve tried treats, putting it halfway up the ladder so it has to walk the rest of the way etc but nothing. Last night I was so happy I thought they were all in and closed the door and started to leave but then noticed the silkie in the run huddled low in the corner alone and asleep. It was near impossible to squat walk in a 2’ high area through poop in the dark to get it and place it up in the coop. Do I need to do this at night or can it sleep in the safe run area? How else can I get it to go up in the coop at night? Is it just mean to only have one silkie and thee EE? (My brother calls it “The Jerk” from the movie). Any tips very appreciated!!! Thanks!

 

[LazytownChick]

It took awhile for my silkies to get it too. I had to put them inside the coop every night for a few weeks before they understood how to walk up the ladder and go inside the coop at night. They also don't like to roost while they sleep. They snuggle next to each other on the ground (silkie pile). I didn't want them to get pooped on from the hens roosting above then so I put in a little dog kennel as shelter. I know it's annoying because it should be common chicken knowledge but I love our silkies and they're such funny little characters.

 

[grettasurfergirl]

It took awhile for my silkies to get it too. I had to put them inside the coop every night for a few weeks before they understood how to walk up the ladder and go inside the coop at night. They also don't like to roost while they sleep. They snuggle next to each other on the ground (silkie pile). I didn't want them to get pooped on from the hens roosting above then so I put in a little dog kennel as shelter. I know it's annoying because it should be common chicken knowledge but I love our silkies and they're such funny little characters.

Thank you! Sounds like this silkie would like a cuddle buddy for sleeping. I feel so badly for her/him! Wondered if you also might know when you can tell gender for silkies? I would hate to get another and then this one turns out to be a rooster and we have to relocate him! Thanks for your help!

 

[grettasurfergirl]

It took awhile for my silkies to get it too. I had to put them inside the coop every night for a few weeks before they understood how to walk up the ladder and go inside the coop at night. They also don't like to roost while they sleep. They snuggle next to each other on the ground (silkie pile). I didn't want them to get pooped on from the hens roosting above then so I put in a little dog kennel as shelter. I know it's annoying because it should be common chicken knowledge but I love our silkies and they're such funny little characters.

Sounds like I will have to keep moving her into the coop every night for awhile. Maybe I can block the back of the run later in the day so it isn’t so far back there! Thanks again!

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

I still have to put a couple of my girls away even though my older pullet tries to get them all to go in. I would not recommend leaving it out especially alone. They like to huddle at night when they roost.

 

[LazytownChick]

Thank you! Sounds like this silkie would like a cuddle buddy for sleeping. I feel so badly for her/him! Wondered if you also might know when you can tell gender for silkies? I would hate to get another and then this one turns out to be a rooster and we have to relocate him! Thanks for your help!

Silkies are very difficult to sex. You basically have to wait and see if it starts laying eggs or crowing.

 

[LazytownChick]

My silkies started laying eggs around 6 months

 

[Chickassan]

Lol, "the Jerk" I love it.
Maybe you could get out there a little before bed time, put the Jerk in the coop and give a little treat.
They are odd little things but greedy like all chickens, food is still a great teacher.

 

[grettasurfergirl]

My silkies started laying eggs around 6 months

Oh wow then we still have a while to go before I can tell! If it’s a hen I’m thinking I should get her a buddy so she’s not the only silkie!

 

[grettasurfergirl]

Lol, "the Jerk" I love it.
Maybe you could get out there a little before bed time, put the Jerk in the coop and give a little treat.
They are odd little things but greedy like all chickens, food is still a great teacher.

Thank you for the suggestion! I thought about doing this last night but if I put her in there and close the door then how do the other three go in later? I don’t think silkie would stay in the coop if the door was open. Let me know how you would do this. Thanks!