Silkies and cold weather

[Mattisonmandi]

I'm new to silkies and mine are 4 months old now and have been outside for over 2 months. It's now getting cool/cold at night. 40's to 50ish degree's. They huddle up on the ground together but haven't figured out how to make it into the coop within their enclosure which it nic warmer and full of shavings. Do I need to cover the outside with plywood? Heat lamp? There is a roof on top but sides are currently goat panels so the wind gets through. Just want to keep them happy and healthy. Day time temps are in the 70's to high 80's. Any help is appreciated!

 

[holm25]

I would start putting them in the coop at night. It won't take long and they will figure it out. They are too at risk of being eaten by predators.

 

[Folly's place]

x2! They need to be in their safe coop every night, aside from the cooler temps. Get them inside, on their roost, if it's low enough, or on the floor in the shavings. Goat panels won't protect them enough!!!
In general, Silkies can't fly and aren't kept very warm with their feathering. They can't see well through those feathers either. This makes them more fragile than 'normal' chickens, so they need special care.
I thought they were not the smartest birds ever, too.
Mary

 

[chickens really]

Hello....Yes train them by herding them in at night..A friend of mine has Silkies and they don't roost..She has straw and pine shavings for them to huddle into...I'm in Alberta Canada so we all provide a bit of heat in our coops during winter..

 

[HattieScratchy]

My silkies sleep in the nesting boxes because they cannot fly up to the roosts which is probably why yours just found a place to huddle. I would start placing them inside the coop when you notice them starting to gather in their huddling spot.

 

[3-Bearss]

We have 2 silkies in a mixed flock and they go into the coop at night with the rest. They also get up on the roost which is 2 feet up.

 

[LilJoe]

In general, Silkies can't fly and aren't kept warm with their feathering.

My Silkies can fly up on the roost, which is 3ft, give or take. Also, silkies are cold hardy. The only problem I have with mine in the winter is them getting wet from the snow, but they normally dont go out in it.

-LilJoe