Silkies - They’re simply SPECTACULAR!

Trying to get a head-count on silkie lovers...

  • ME! - I like silkies!

    Votes: 825 96.2%

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    Votes: 98 11.4%
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Welcome to the thread @MapleValleyAcresFarm, it is a very active one! 😊
I can't speak to extreme cold and snow, though this is the view from my house last winter!
35783CE5-60BB-4EF1-9897-C7333CE1BDC9.jpeg


We only get down to the 50s here at night during the winter (I live at higher elevation).
From what I understand, silkies can tolerate colder temps, but can not tolerate getting drenching wet or in drafts as @PippinTheChicken stated above.
We do get quite a bit of rain here and wind, so I keep my birds in covered runs and draft free coops. 😊
 
addctd2plnts said:
We don't have Silkies yet but I'm thinking of getting some next Spring for my daughter. I'd like to get some of show quality so my disabled daughter could show them. Are there any people in Eastern Missouri, Southern IL, or Indiana with show quality Silkies?

I would probably keep them separate from other chickens but I've considered getting some Polish chickens too. Generally speaking, would they get along if raised together from chicks?
Click to expand...
You should check with the Bantam silkie breeders club, they may be able to give you names of some breeders in your area. Definitely go to a breeder if you want “show quality”. A breeder cannot guarantee show quality in a chick, but they can come from a good bloodline and increase their chances. What a great idea and hobby for your daughter.❤️
Your silkies can get along fine with other breeds as long as they are raised together from chicks. Silkies have a reputation of being very mild mannered and sweet to other chickens. While this is generally true, it is not true of my two older silkie girls that live with standard hens. They are actually the bosses of all the others! It’s quite funny to see these fiesty girls chasing after the bigger birds. They are not mean to them, but definitely put them in their place. The risk with silkies living with other breeds though, is that many silkies have vaulted skulls. This is a domed skull that has “soft spots” kind of like a newborn baby, which makes them more vulnerable to injury. Polish chickens also have this type of skull.This type of skull is what gives the silkies that have it, and Polish, their nice rounded crests.😊
Photo below the other day of my two bossie Silkies with their standard flock mates. The rest of my bantams, including the rest of my silkies, have a separate coop.
8BE45F81-DD78-4D9B-9D62-9213AAD732D4.jpeg
 
MapleValleyAcresFarm said:
Okay- I've been watching this thread for a while now. It's time I join in! 🤣
Silkies are THE BEST! They're just so sweet and wonderful!

But I have a question for y'all who have been raising Silkies for years.
This will be my 2nd winter having Silkies- but all last winter my silkies stayed in the basement until it warmed up . So I need to know something (since I CANNOT keep them inside all winter this year and they were still young then.)- How cold is ACTUALLY too cold for them??
I've always heard they cannot handle temps under 50°F. But is that true?
It's been getting into the high 40°F.'s - low 50°F.'s here at night.
So I was wondering- what do you all do with your all's silkie's through winter?

I know it's just now beginning to become fall- but I'd rather ask too soon then too late. 😉
Thanks!
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Ive had silkie hens successfully hatch and raise chicks in 25°F temps. Coldest we have ever been is 8°F. I just shut the door to their coop at night if it's starting to get near 20°. Mine all have heavy fluff and cuddle.
 

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