Silkie thread!

[Bare bottom farm]

Hi all I don't have silkies (yet) but I like them and I love reading about them here!!

 

[destiny_56085]

There is a special type of reflective shade cloth that you can use.... Lots of fans and misters in the coops. Freeze milk jugs and put them in their pens to sit next to. Let the birds out at dawn/dusk so they aren't in the direct sun. Lots of fresh cool water available to them. I know I live in MN, but we get the hot, humid 100 degree temps up here during the summer too.

 

[Colie <3]

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Gotta love pics! This inspires me I need to go take some new shots of my cuties. They just got moved out of their brooder into a large temporary coop inside my portable run. My coops aren't here yet because of bad weather where they are being shipped from but I had to get those babies more space asap! I keep going outside to check on them like a worried mother lol They are almost 8 weeks and the low tonite is 50 degrees. I set up a heat lamp because they are still used to it and used to the temps inside my house. I'm resisting the urge to go get them and bring them back inside

 

[chickendales]

Colie <3 :

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Those numbers are for small bantams; Silkies are at the large end of the spectrum, and should have 7 sq ft per bird minimum of run space. Depending on climate where one lives, and the amount of time that the birds may end up confined to the coop should be the primary consideration on its size. For birds that do nothing but sleep in hte coop, and have access to additional space almost all the time, minimal coop space is needed, for areas with severe winters or rain conditions that keep the birds confined to the coop fairly often during the days, they need more space there.

I didn't even think of the weather aspect, good points

I live in Texas far far west in the desert so I kinda forget that other people have cruddy weather a lot more than we do. Right now it's been in the high 70's low 80's so lots of outside time.

I won't be so happy once the hot weather hits though it's miserable here!
I'm planning for 3-4 sq ft per silkie of coop space but I have decently large runs for them and a 85 sq ft movable run that I plan to alternate days for my color groups to enjoy. Oh and and an ok sized yard for them to free-range in (under supervision though because I'm scared of hawks!) The plan is to watch how they tolerate the space issue and then adjust flock size accordingly. Sound ok?
Any tips on keeping cool in the summer? My coop builder maximized the ventilation options on my coops but I'm sure there are other things I can do right?​

my pairs and trios are in 4 by 3 pens and my single show birds are in 2by2 pens also have 3by6 rabbit type hutches out side for summer use no out door runns be cause of prediures

 

[Colie <3]

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I "liked" your page

 

[Colie <3]

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Very pretty!

Thanks.
I just found out that my friend who bought chickens that originated from the same place as these two seem to have MG and he has to cull all of them. http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/94/mycoplasma-gallisepticum-infection-mg-chronic-respiratory-disease-chickens
Things are not looking up over here.

I'm sorry

That's what popped into my head when you posted those pics of her eye

 

[Colie <3]

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Beautimous! I love silkie roos named Elvis, it's very fitting for your guy.

 

[Colie <3]

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From what I've read silkies are pretty cold hardy as long as they aren't wet and are kept in a draft free coop.

 

[Colie <3]

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ooohhhh ahhhhh very pretty! Her coloring is soo nice

 

[Colie <3]

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Is there such thing as a white with smut? Cause that's what came to mind. Idk!