Silkie thread!

[littlecritters]

I put foam insulation along the outside of the coop, it has a 1x1 opening that I am going to put a flap over, but there is a wall when they walk in they have to walk around to get to the inside. I am going to put a few ventilation holes in it so it doesn't get too humid. I have been giving them some scratch in the morning to peck at. I was thinking about putting the plastic up on the run, I may try it if I can get it to stay on.
It's a wooden dog house, there is a 1x1 opening and there's a wall that they ahve to walk around to go the the inside to block out wind. I am going to put a flap on it so they can go in and out still but have the protection.

You can purchase inexpensive tarps at Home Depot with grommets along the edges. These can be used to wrap your run and will easily attach with zip ties from a dollar store. The tarps come in various sizes and are found in the paint department. Good luck!

 

[moomoodiddy]

They are fluffy enough to be wonderful, beautiful pets! Very cute photo!!
If silkies were any more fun I would be in serious trouble!
[/quote]
r they breeder quality?

 

[RockerHen]

Thank you everyone for the compliments on my ladies.

Here's another pic I thought was hilarious. Chicks facing off! The polish mix I'm sure is a rooster, the little white probably is too, it's quite spunky.

 

[Mama Hen Chris]

I don;t like Purina or Nutrena. My favourite feeds, although I can't get them often are the Integrifeed products. What I purchase almost all the time are Manna Pro products. I've considered trying feeds from Azure Standard.

Thanks for the info. I used to use Manna Pro but didn't like driving too far out of my way.

 

[ChicksNherps]

You can purchase inexpensive tarps at Home Depot with grommets along the edges. These can be used to wrap your run and will easily attach with zip ties from a dollar store. The tarps come in various sizes and are found in the paint department. Good luck!

I have a draw string tarp that was on top, but we had very strong winds one week and it blew it off so I have to put it back on. I like to get heavy duty plastic painters drop cloth, it works well and it's cheap.

 

[sheeshshe]

I am going to put a flap over the opening, but there is a wall they have to walk around to get to the inside.


I put foam insulation along the outside of the coop, it has a 1x1 opening that I am going to put a flap over, but there is a wall when they walk in they have to walk around to get to the inside. I am going to put a few ventilation holes in it so it doesn't get too humid. I have been giving them some scratch in the morning to peck at. I was thinking about putting the plastic up on the run, I may try it if I can get it to stay on.
It's a wooden dog house, there is a 1x1 opening and there's a wall that they ahve to walk around to go the the inside to block out wind. I am going to put a flap on it so they can go in and out still but have the protection.


There is an opening so there shouldn't be a lack of ventilation, but they may sleep right by the door, I don't know because it is too dark to see them. The day they were frosty their water froze too so it was COLD, but they were okay. This morning they had dew on their heads but that was it. I am going to put a flap over the opening so hopefully that stops them from getting dewy.

how many square inches of ventilation and how many square feet of space in the coop? Also, where is the ventilation located, is it high enough up that it isn't drafty for them? I'm thinking perhaps it isn't enough ventilation if it is moist enough in there that they're getting frosty and dew on their heads. There is a calculator on here that will tell you how much ventilation to put her square feet of space. it is important especially for winter climates like we have. I've never had a problem with wetness/dew/frostiness in my coop at all. Yes, the water will freeze, but the chickens dont LOL

 

[ChicksNherps]

how many square inches of ventilation and how many square feet of space in the coop? Also, where is the ventilation located, is it high enough up that it isn't drafty for them? I'm thinking perhaps it isn't enough ventilation if it is moist enough in there that they're getting frosty and dew on their heads. There is a calculator on here that will tell you how much ventilation to put her square feet of space. it is important especially for winter climates like we have. I've never had a problem with wetness/dew/frostiness in my coop at all. Yes, the water will freeze, but the chickens dont LOL

It's 6-8 square feet, The only ventilation so far is just the door but I am going to put vent holes up near the roof and put a cloth flap over the door.

 

[aoxa]

Repost since I didn't get an answer- How much scratch grains should my girls get this cold season? I live in New england so it will be COLD and I only have the two that live outside. Yesterday I went out to find them looking like chick-sicles, with frost on their crests and backs  I was like oh I hope that's not bad! They are fine and waiting for their morning food right now lol. But seriously they looked like jack frost's pets hehe.

I've seen this. I took a blow-dryer to them and tried to fix causes. They had slept out in our old garage (not living there anymore) - and there was a leak in the roof. Moisture + freezing temps = frosty silkies They were all okay though. It happened on Christmas morning too lol. There I was - trying to get ready to go out to my parents' house, and I had to be late so I could blow dry some silkies

Really great photos!!  You can't tell by looking if the lavender gene is present.

I don't know if it's poison but none of the animals eat it. The chickens do eat the berries a little but they don't love them. It's awesome when the light shines through on our porch.

I'll try it anyway. So beautiful!

For those who feed grower to their adult silkies (and oyster shell on the side) do they get enough calcium intake? Are the eggs pretty hard? The layer feed usually has less protein but more calcium, so my question is why not giving them layer feed with extra protein mixed to it (such as Manna, or game bird chow)?

Because the boys and girls that aren't laying should not have that calcium.

Wow I am JEALOUS!!!!  It was 90 here yesterday .... so no fall for us .....

Thank you! I wish it was warm out, but not that warm!

 

[sheeshshe]

It's 6-8 square feet, The only ventilation so far is just the door but I am going to put vent holes up near the roof and put a cloth flap over the door.

can you take a picture? I am having a hard time envisioning the door being ventilation Either way, any ventilation should be at the top where they aren't going to get a draft. But LOTS of it I'd love to see a picture though!

 

[aoxa]

can you take a picture?  I am having a hard time envisioning the door being ventilation  Either way, any ventilation should be at the top where they aren't going to get a draft.  But LOTS of it  I'd love to see a picture though!

My first coop was similar. I had 2 inches going along 4 foot *people door*

Not intentional. We just sucked at building. They were moved to the big garage for the winter, but some still entered the coop to sleep/lay eggs.

Now we have rafters for ventilation. Everything is proper!