Silkie thread!

[PaintedFeathers]

They don't fly we'll, they can't see what is coming many times because their crests are too large or in their eyes also with the extra toes they can't run as fast lost two to balks earlier this spring, now they are enclosed in a free range pen. I can send you pictures it was made with PBS and 2x 4s. Not expensive but haven't lost a silkie yet. I do let my old English game bantams free range they are great flyers and spend much of their days exploring the barn.

Actually my silkies have been great runners

Nori could sprint with the best of them! But yeah they don't see well. I had my best hen killed last fall by a hawk. They free ranged all year and I never had issues until then.

 

[Suzierd]

They don't fly we'll, they can't see what is coming many times because their crests are too large or in their eyes also with the extra toes they can't run as fast lost two to balks earlier this spring, now they are enclosed in a free range pen. I can send you pictures it was made with PBS and 2x 4s. Not expensive but haven't lost a silkie yet. I do let my old English game bantams free range they are great flyers and spend much of their days exploring the barn.

Carolyn I would love to see your PBS runs.

 

[1chicken fan]

Carolyn I would love to see your PBS runs.

Sue,
**** that auto correct!!

Having trouble loading pictures from my tablet gotta go figure that out

 

[Suzierd]

Oh its PVC huh, ( I think) I didn't even notice I just copied you. that spell check gets me too!

 

[PaintedFeathers]

question about my FF, can I add poppy and sesame seeds? I have some for my roaches, they are very high in vitamins

 

[Sanna]

What about them makes them bad free range birds? I just got my chicks a week ago so Im learning so much. I have 5 non silkie chicks and on silkie. I was planning on Free Ranging them when I am home. Is this a bad idea?

They just can't see well with their big crests. I had a couple hens that had very poor crests and were able to see just like any other breed. Those girls were quite fast and ran for cover if there was anything to worry about.
I don't think it's a bad idea to free range. Just keep an eye on them. Any chicken can get snagged at any time, but the Silkies would probably be the ones to go first because of their vision problem. You can help them out by trimming their crest, that way they'll see better.

could you guys please post some pics on my "LOTS OF SILKIES" post?

Can you post us a link to the thread? I have a gazillion pictures I can post.

 

[blipit007]

They don't fly we'll, they can't see what is coming many times because their crests are too large or in their eyes also with the extra toes they can't run as fast lost two to balks earlier this spring, now they are enclosed in a free range pen. I can send you pictures it was made with PBS and 2x 4s. Not expensive but haven't lost a silkie yet. I do let my old English game bantams free range they are great flyers and spend much of their days exploring the barn.

Oh, that would be very helpful. Please send photos. We haven't built a coop yet either. My husband is a carpenter and Im gathering ideas for him. We will take bits and pieces of what we like and build our own custom creation.

 

[PaintedFeathers]

Oh, that would be very helpful. Please send photos. We haven't built a coop yet either. My husband is a carpenter and Im gathering ideas for him. We will take bits and pieces of what we like and build our own custom creation.

Have you checked out the coop section of the forum? There are some awesome coops! With step by step directions on how to build them!

 

[blipit007]

Thanks for all the help everyone. Such a newbie...

 

[PaintedFeathers]

Thanks for all the help everyone. Such a newbie...

This is my favorite: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/my-mid-life-crisis-coop