Silkie hut?

[Missyka]

Can someone help me with ideas on a space in my run that can be used for my silkies to take cover from the larger birds in my flock? Looking for ideas & pictures if you have anything! Thanks!

 

[Chicalina]

A wooden board, old table top etc leaned up against the side at an angle provides a good hidey place and escape run. Lots of clutter generally to break up eyelines, ladders and low roosts to add height for places they can flap up to (yes even silkies), that sort of thing. Plus several food and water stations to avoid one group hogging it and preventing others from accessing it.

 

[Chicalina]

Are they already being bullied or are you just anticipating it?

 

[Missyka]

Are they already being bullied or are you just anticipating it?

They already are along with my Sussex that are the same age. My idler Wyandotte’s are bullies.

 

[Chicalina]

what are your numbers, ages and space? can you post pics of your run.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Lots of clutter examples here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

 

[Missyka]

Perfect examples, thank you so much!!!!

 

[Missyka]

what are your numbers, ages and space? can you post pics of your run.

4 Wyandotte’s about 23 weeks, 2 Sussex & 3 silkies all 12 weeks

 

[Chicalina]

the Ws are probably just more dominant because they are older, and it will all even out as the others mature and the flock hierarchy adjusts.

You need lots of hidey places, several feed and water points so nobody can hog them and exclude others, some ladder type things or roosts to use vertical space, and maybe some homemade toys to keep them busy and not thinking of mischief. Hang a cabbage or a corncob on a string, put in a swing (wood on rope), hang cds or a fix a mirror to the wall, etc