Silkie thread!

[jimmy m]

i like them

 

[Brethren49619]

I have another question. I have never owned bantams before and now have 11 silkies. What is the recommended sq ft in the coop and also out in the run.
I know LF need about 4 sq ft in the coop and 10 sq ft in the run.
What is your recommendation for silkies need for space as a breed?

I would also like to know this answer. Just got my first hen last week, then 6 more young ones this past weekend. So excited, never even got their ages.

 

[Hawkeye95]

Okay here are my ribbon winning girls:



More ribbon winners:

Congratulations to your girls! Looks like they did well! I love 4-H!

Hi Hawkeye....excellent coop!!! Can I have one??? LOL
I have a Silkie Roo...& he definately roosts. I have to put him in the garage at night so he doesnt annoy the neighbours in the morning....so when I go outside
to get him he is on a high roosting perch sitting down for the night. I grab him & pop him into his overnight home....(a converted rabbit hutch) that has a low
roosting perch & there he stays all night. He doesnt eat or drink until I let him out....he has food & water there but doesnt touch it. Weird.
Anyway just thought Id let uno that my silkie roo does roost

The coop I was commenting on wasn't mine. Unless you were looking at my "coop page"-- then yeah, that is mine! I love my coop! LOL! I have two silkie roosters that will roost also. But they are my hatchery birds, and they don't have much of a crest, so they can easily see to jump. They are more rangy and seem more agile. My others-- they all pile up on the floor.

I picked one up today at Home Depot. $7.98. They had a display set up but only one for sale, so maybe call first.
It's going to be back in the 90s on Wed so we will get it ready tomorrow.
GREAT IDEA!!! THANKS HAWKEYE95!!

You got a better deal than I did! I bought mine for $9 a piece! We were at 109 degrees yesterday and looks like it's going to be getting hotter. I have Polish also-- they don't handle the heat well, so I've always used these misters. It's better than having your birds die on you left and right.

Can anyone tell me about the color Gray Lace for a Silkie? I purchased a hen locally and the owner called her a Gray Lace. I haven't seen any postings using that color name.

Post a picture of your bird. That is not a name for any color that I'm aware of.

 

[peepblessed]

I wonder if you set up something like the old ice boxes with ice or frozen milk jugs over the top of the nesting boxes so the cool air drifts down on them. What do you think?

That would be perfect for a broody!!

 

[peepblessed]

I would also like to know this answer. Just got my first hen last week, then 6 more young ones this past weekend. So excited, never even got their ages.

I have read 6 to 10 but really the critical thing is, how fast does the ground dry out. Does the run get muddy? Do you have high humidity? Daily breeze? I get away with about 5 - 6 sq ft because I have sand and very low humidity and daily breeze. You will never compalin that you made your run too big! I have never heard anyone say they were sorry there run was so big!

 

[marlo1968]

I wonder if you set up something like the old ice boxes with ice or frozen milk jugs over the top of the nesting boxes so the cool air drifts down on them. What do you think?

good idea, I set 5 gallon ice cream buckets in the freezer last night, I can try that with these....also froze some water bottles to lay around the hen house and coop, will turn the mister on around noon, hopefully all these will help, think I will also throw some fruit in the freezer to feed later today....

 

[littlecritters]

I would also like to know this answer.  Just got my first hen last week, then 6 more young ones this past weekend.  So excited, never even got their ages.

I've given my silkies the same amount of space as for my LF. I have plenty of room available right now...

 

[JoshU]

I've given my silkies the same amount of space as for my LF. I have plenty of room available right now...

I would say make room for 20. It seems everyone keeps adding to their flocks. This way your 7 will have plenty of room and then when you add more you wont have to build any additions. lol

 

[peepblessed]

good idea, I set 5 gallon ice cream buckets in the freezer last night, I can try that with these....also froze some water bottles to lay around the hen house and coop, will turn the mister on around noon, hopefully all these will help, think I will also throw some fruit in the freezer to feed later today....

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote: Yes! Also, make sure the nest is shaded all day, and has adequate ventilation.