Silkies not imprinting on their coop or lack roosting behavior

[AllenK RGV]

Some mornings we do sleep in past sunrise... Is this locking them in if so that ship has sailed, I believe they have been cooped up as late as 8:30AM in their lives. Yes they scream about it. We finally let them out of the run into the yard with the big girls... The big girls don't think they are fragile at all. They even pretend Silkies are chicken too. Thank goodness Magellan didn't have a silkie navigator, because they really suck at that task too! My wife was passing me silkies so we could get them to food and water... the roosters wanted to kill her but couldn't figure out how to get to my wife. So they just vocalized their displeasure with her.

 

[silkie1472]

This cracked me up! I can just imagine having to do that every night with them. I am so sorry, but I can't help laughing!

Mine were brooded indoors for ages due to weather, a family emergency, and other factors beyond my control. They were in my house for almost 2 months! I finally got them outside into their own coop separate from my big girls. They took to it after 1 night of being locked in and yelling at me to let them out. Now they hop up the little stepladder I gave them and settle in on their own... but they much prefer falling asleep in my lap first before being put to bed. Spoiled little biddies... Have you tried locking them in? I do agree they are not the brightest, but gosh they are cute and so friggin friendly.

I received mine in early December...I raised mine indoors for 7 months (2 in house, 5 in garage) with an occasional visit to the yard. It was a culture shock for them to go outside.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I received mine in early December...I raised mine indoors for 7 months (2 in house, 5 in garage) with an occasional visit to the yard. It was a culture shock for them to go outside.

I feel a lil better now - lol!

Wanna know a secret?

I miss them being in the house. I kinda wish I'd kept them as house chickens. I love spending time with them soooooo much!

Ssssshhhh! Don't tell Hubby, but I might let them in when he's not around....

 

[CatWhisperer]

My silkies roost on the edge of the poop board, they rarely get on a perch unless I place them there. My idiot Polish can’t seem to get into the coop before the automatic door closes. Or they sit in the doorway so the guineas cant get in.

 

[ellend]

Yep; they aren't very survival oriented. My family rebelled and demanded that I, in the future, bring home Old English Game Bantams ONLY.

 

[Folly's place]

My first chickens were from a neighbor, a few Silkies and Belgian d'Uccles. They came with minimal instructions, and 'they'll be fine roosting in the barn'. It didn't go well, no surprise.
The poor little Silkies were gone within a year, and over 25 years later, that family of d'Uccles, with some outside additions for new blood, are still going strong.
Mary