Silkie hen or roo please ?

[CannedMonster]

It’s not necessary to put them inside.
As long as their coop isn’t drafty and has adequate ventilation near the roof they’ll be fine.
People say a lot of things about Silkies.
They say they don’t roost and they can’t go up high but mine does.
Be aware that both will start crowing eventually so you’ll want to be sure roosters are allowed where you live.
My Silkie started crowing at about 5.5 months old.
It’s adorable too lol.
He sounds like a tiny horse neighing.

 

[chickendreams24]

Definitely both cockerals based on the large wide combs and the streamers coming out if the back of the crests.

Now some roosters can do okay with fewer pullets/hens and some need more than the suggested 10 per rooster. I've had silkie roosters that were extremely docile and could share fewer hens and I've had a couple silkie roosters that constantly fought for dominance. Some will do okay and some will not. Mostly it's about the individual tendencies of each bird.

My silkies do just fine outside free ranging and out in the snow. They do have a large coop they can choose to stay in if the weather is cold but the door is opened daily as long as it's not sleeting or a blizzard. I have also kept the birds locked in when it was down to 30-40*F below zero. Many of my silkies are also amazing foragers. We do however keep a large mixed flock that only gets separated by breeds for getting pure hatching eggs.

Our birds truly free range with no fences and although we do have losses to predators on occasion they are rarely silkies. The silkies tend to stay a little closer to home but we have had birds foraging up to 1/4-1/2 mile from the coop out into the fields. That is how some of our birds don't come home as it's easy for a fox to sneak up on them in the crops. This isn't always the case but has been the MO for the year. The fields will be empty soon and the fox dealt with. This particular fox has been plaguing us for two years now but has always managed to escape unscathed.

The silkies generally don't go as far and it's really only 1 of my two main coops that heads directly into the fox's hunting grounds. There are no silkies in that group.


Yes silkies can be more prone to predator attack because of their crests and limited vision. They also of course can not fly to escape predators. Giving them cover for when they are free ranging, trimming their crests out of their line of sight, or keeping then penned in a secure run/only being let out when they are watched can all be good ideas depending on your specific desires and the risks you are willing to take.

Being only two birds in a coop I would suggest bringing them into a garage or porch etc if you get very cold temperatures in winter. Ours do fine in a large insulated coop with other birds to cuddle with and help produce body heat.

 

[Chickassan]

They most certainly can roost! Lol! These are this lady's only two, and she's new to all of this. I suggested bringing them indoors when the weather gets rough as much for her peace of mind as for their comfort. I know with my first birds I worried like crazy! I still do lol! Of course I am the lady who brought her frostbitten boy inside and watched Dr.Phil with him for a week until his comb healed a little. Hubby wasn't happy but it made me feel better.

It’s not necessary to put them inside.
As long as their coop isn’t drafty and has adequate ventilation near the roof they’ll be fine.
People say a lot of things about Silkies.
They say they don’t roost and they can’t go up high but mine does.
Be aware that both will start crowing eventually so you’ll want to be sure roosters are allowed where you live.
My Silkie started crowing at about 5.5 months old.
It’s adorable too lol.
He sounds like a tiny horse neighing.

 

[Danniidoodle]

They most certainly can roost! Lol! These are this lady's only two, and she's new to all of this. I suggested bringing them indoors when the weather gets rough as much for her peace of mind as for their comfort. I know with my first birds I worried like crazy! I still do lol! Of course I am the lady who brought her frostbitten boy inside and watched Dr.Phil with him for a week until his comb healed a little. Hubby wasn't happy but it made me feel better.

I worry all the time, I had these two from 3 weeks old I let them out in the day to roam but wouldn’t let them sleep in their coop for a long time I got too attached and too used to knowing they were safe in the house over night. They do brilliant in their coop now they sleep all night they are a dream, although I do still leave my upstairs side window open so I can hear out. It’s crazy how attached you actually get. <3

 

[Chickassan]

I knew you were a worry wort! It takes one to know one you know.

I worry all the time, I had these two from 3 weeks old I let them out in the day to roam but wouldn’t let them sleep in their coop for a long time I got too attached and too used to knowing they were safe in the house over night. They do brilliant in their coop now they sleep all night they are a dream, although I do still leave my upstairs side window open so I can hear out. It’s crazy how attached you actually get. <3

 

[Danniidoodle]

It’s not necessary to put them inside.
As long as their coop isn’t drafty and has adequate ventilation near the roof they’ll be fine.
People say a lot of things about Silkies.
They say they don’t roost and they can’t go up high but mine does.
Be aware that both will start crowing eventually so you’ll want to be sure roosters are allowed where you live.
My Silkie started crowing at about 5.5 months old.
It’s adorable too lol.
He sounds like a tiny horse neighing.

How cute.

Definitely both cockerals based on the large wide combs and the streamers coming out if the back of the crests.

Now some roosters can do okay with fewer pullets/hens and some need more than the suggested 10 per rooster. I've had silkie roosters that were extremely docile and could share fewer hens and I've had a couple silkie roosters that constantly fought for dominance. Some will do okay and some will not. Mostly it's about the individual tendencies of each bird.

My silkies do just fine outside free ranging and out in the snow. They do have a large coop they can choose to stay in if the weather is cold but the door is opened daily as long as it's not sleeting or a blizzard. I have also kept the birds locked in when it was down to 30-40*F below zero. Many of my silkies are also amazing foragers. We do however keep a large mixed flock that only gets separated by breeds for getting pure hatching eggs.

Our birds truly free range with no fences and although we do have losses to predators on occasion they are rarely silkies. The silkies tend to stay a little closer to home but we have had birds foraging up to 1/4-1/2 mile from the coop out into the fields. That is how some of our birds don't come home as it's easy for a fox to sneak up on them in the crops. This isn't always the case but has been the MO for the year. The fields will be empty soon and the fox dealt with. This particular fox has been plaguing us for two years now but has always managed to escape unscathed.

The silkies generally don't go as far and it's really only 1 of my two main coops that heads directly into the fox's hunting grounds. There are no silkies in that group.


Yes silkies can be more prone to predator attack because of their crests and limited vision. They also of course can not fly to escape predators. Giving them cover for when they are free ranging, trimming their crests out of their line of sight, or keeping then penned in a secure run/only being let out when they are watched can all be good ideas depending on your specific desires and the risks you are willing to take.

Being only two birds in a coop I would suggest bringing them into a garage or porch etc if you get very cold temperatures in winter. Ours do fine in a large insulated coop with other birds to cuddle with and help produce body heat.

Thank you so much for your advice. Think I might have to bring my boys inside when below 0.
I’m still in shock how my two girls turned into two boys over night, I have a lot to learn

 

[Danniidoodle]

I knew you were a worry wort! It takes one to know one you know.

This is a side view of candy .. I can’t see any wattles on the side of either of my now to be roo’s. When do they develop ?

 

[Chickassan]

One of your fellas does have some itty bitty ones dropping in. Actually now and in the next couple of months you should see more wattle happening. Silkies don't normally get giant flopping wattles though. Usually looks more like two raisins under their beaks.

This is a side view of candy .. I can’t see any wattles on the side of either of my now to be roo’s. When do they develop ?

 

[New2Chicks97]

You can always get a radiant heater for you coop if you find that it is getting too cold outside. I have a flat panel radiant heater mounted on the wall of the coop. It seemed just enough to take the worst of the chill off for the birds without heating it to the point of being too much of a difference than outside.

We have a little Silkie guy that ended up being a surprise too. He is just the sweetest thing. My husband says it sounds like he is screeching “I’m a booooooyyyyy!” Rather than saying a normal cock-a-doodle-do. No matter what he is saying he does like to announce it to the world.

Have fun with your chickens! They are adorable!