Silkie help needed

[NCchickenlady]

Well, I got my new silkies and they are soooo cute!!

Questions-

if they are not used to going up into a coop what do ya do? I'm worried they don't know how to use the ladder I made for them to get into the coop..:|

they all seem to be hanging out in a corner together, how long before they feel like going out and checking stuff out?

It's raining, do they go in or stay out in the rain?

Sorry new and these girls are use to a different set up...

Thanks
Beth

 

[antiquebuff]

For the first week I had to craw into my low lot and set my silkies up on the ladder board and show them how to walk in. It took a week and now they will go up alone , but it will be almost dark when they go in. I turn the light on inside the coop and this helps. They will huddle until they are comfortable, about a week. Try giving snacks to get them to run around a little. It stormed and I had to crawl in again because mine wanted to sit in the rain!

It does get better, give it a week or so. Silkies are worth it! I can now let mine out to free range while I am with them and I can call...chicky chick and they will all come running right back into the lot. They are 12 weeks old. They still use a light at night in the coop for security mostly, not sure if its their security or mine!
Good Luck!

 

[asher]

Our silkies never really learned to put themselves up at night. I'm not sure why. Maybe too many knocks on the noggin'.

 

[NCchickenlady]

Quote:
Well last night I had to catch them and put then in for the night. I went out at 6am this morning and opened the door and they will not come out! How long do I let them try on their own ? In the time I'm writing the oldest one just came out but the other 3 are still in there!! Almost wish I built a different coop

Thanks for the info!!!

 

[NCchickenlady]

Quote:
So what do you do? You put them in or just leave them out?
Thanks

 

[asher]

We always put them in, but I'm a wee bit protective of my chickens and every single one is locked up every night.

 

[NCchickenlady]

Quote:
What type of set up do you have? I REALLY wish I would have thougt the coop out better

 

[asher]

We have a "mini barn" (which is really just a big shed that we built) and then we hav a small coop. The "mini barn" openings are low to the ground so I don't know why they didn't do that, but they never did.