Silkie question.............

[gabby3535]

I would L-O-V-E to get a couple Silkies, as pets, but I have a few questions, please.................
Are they okay in a mixed flock of large egg layers?
Do they "have" to have a covered run if I won't be showing them?
They will have continuous access to the coop, for shelter, and "under" the coop, for shelter, as well......
but the run surrounding the coop only has flight netting over it (vs a solid roof).............
what if it rains, and the Silkies get wet??? Are they "that" delicate, that their feet and feathers can never get wet or muddy?!?!
Or will "access" to a dry coop be sufficient to keep them happy and healthy?
Also, I know they don't 'roost', per se.............but prefer to sleep on the coop floor.........................
I am using deep litter of pine shavings, and wonder how 'many' Silkies would it take to make them warm enough when they
huddle together? Would 2 be okay????

Thanks for any advice.....................

 

[thechickenchick]

Quote:
ANSWERS ABOVE, KIND OF HARD TO SEE. SORRY, NOT THE SMARTEST IDEA THAT I HAVE HAD!

 

[Blisschick]

Quote:
1. Yes, they will be fine as long as they're not in with too many. They're not as aggressive as most breeds, so they can get picked on.

2. No, but it's best for them to have some kind of shelter. Their feathers don't allow them to shed water as easily as hard-feathered birds, so they get wetter quicker and chilled easier. What you have should be fine for them if they have access to shelter.

3. See above. They're not made of glass, but they shouldn't be treated like other chickens. They can and do get muddy. They don't always care about what is best for them.

Allow them free access to their shelter.

4. They can and do roost, just not as high as most (although I once had a rooster that managed to roost as high as my other chickens). If yours huddle on the floor, I would say 3 or more would be ideal. It also depends on their age. If they're still babies or relatively young, they need a heat source since their feathers can't trap heat as efficiently.

HTH,

 

[magikchick]

I have some silkies in with standard cochins they do just fine. The silkies tend to keep to theirselfs.

They don't seem to mind the rain any more then the other chickens do. These are my personal pets so I trim around their eyes so they can see better. They free range with the rest of the flock.

Mine don't roost they sleep on the floor of the coop.