Silkies - They’re simply SPECTACULAR!

[ForTheLoveOfSilkies]

Yes, I use sand in my coop currently. I like it because it absorps the moisture in the poop, along with any smell. I live in the South so it is warm half of the year. This means FLY SEASON! Using sand TREMENDOUSLY cuts down on the flies... It is also super easy to clean and cheaper in the long run than shavings.

Yes, the nesting boxes will be at ground level in the coop. Here's an example -
View attachment 2538914

I didn't think about fencing off some space for the broody. That changes things a little. Going back inside my drawing tool to make some changes... In the meantime, this is the front and side elevation of the coop I have in mind.
View attachment 2538916

Looks great! Do you have plenty of ventilation?
You don't have to have a fenced area for a broody, only if you have the space to have a set up like that when you have a broody it would be handy.. then take the fence away when not needed. I have a 2nd coop within a larger coop area for broody to sit on eggs but open it up to all the chickens when I don't have one in there.
Lots of people on here would have different set ups or ideas for broody hens.. some just move the broody to a large cage to brood in peace then put them back in with the chicks when the hatch is over.

 

[TJAnonymous]

Looks great! Do you have plenty of ventilation?
You don't have to have a fenced area for a broody, only if you have the space to have a set up like that when you have a broody it would be handy.. then take the fence away when not needed. I have a 2nd coop within a larger coop area for broody to sit on eggs but open it up to all the chickens when I don't have one in there.
Lots of people on here would have different set ups or ideas for broody hens.. some just move the broody to a large cage to brood in peace then put them back in with the chicks when the hatch is over.

Yes, there are two 16"x8" vents on both the front and back sides near the top of the wall.

The broody boxes will have doors on the front which will be left open so the boxes can be used as a regular nesting box if/when they aren't in broody season. This means I will have 4 nesting boxes total for 4 - 8 pullets, but 2 of those nesting boxes can be used as broody boxes when necessary.

 

[ForTheLoveOfSilkies]

OK, based upon your suggestions, I changed the design to include 2 broody boxes that can be enclosed, if needed. I am also including a roost. If I make the roost higher than the nesting boxes (which are at ground level), I'm assuming that means they would need a ramp to reach them? I was going to put the roosts about 6 inches above the floor so they could just hop up?

View attachment 2538942

Nice setup! Planning on having a few broody hatching chicks at the same time?
I don't think they would need a ramp for 6inch. You could add a rock or something they can step onto and step up onto the roost? But I think that height will be fine.

 

[TJAnonymous]

Nice setup! Planning on having a few broody hatching chicks at the same time?
I don't think they would need a ramp for 6inch. You could add a rock or something they can step onto and step up onto the roost? But I think that height will be fine.

I lost around 15 chickens last year between predators and illness like Salpingitis. Also, at least a third of my adult hens are 3 yrs or older... These Silkies that I'm hatching won't be old enough to use as broodies this year. I'm hoping to leverage them for NEXT year to sit a couple of eggs from my standard layers to help replenish my flock as the older hens die off OR if I keep losing some to predators.

I'm trying to address the predator problem but this is a contingency.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

4 bearded silkie eggs going into lockdown tomorrow! Hopefully 4 Silkie babies on Saturday! These are all that’s left of the 10 original ones.
These came from a mainland breeder’s mixed pen so I have no idea what colors they will be!

 

[TJAnonymous]

I was going to mark the air cells for my batch but I was so paranoid about them being out of the incubator for too long and it was a bit chilly in the house so I just quickly candled to see how many were clear or fertile and put them back. I am going to candle them again this Friday although probably won't do much good since I didn't mark them at Day 7.

If I may ask, what are the circles for (not the air cell markings) on your eggs?

 

[chickentrains]

One of our friends hatched a few silkies, we where meant to get one, then they got eaten by a coon.

Still don't have silkies.. they are my favorite chicken breed, though.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

I was going to mark the air cells for my batch but I was so paranoid about them being out of the incubator for too long and it was a bit chilly in the house so I just quickly candled to see how many were clear or fertile and put them back. I am going to candle them again this Friday although probably won't do much good since I didn't mark them at Day 7.

If I may ask, what are the circles for (not the air cell markings) on your eggs?

Do you mean on the side of the eggs? Those are “O” and on the other side are “X” so I am sure to turn them all. Not so relevant with only 4, but when you have many, can be easy to forget some! Though these are not being turned any more at day 17.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

One of our friends hatched a few silkies, we where meant to get one, then they got eaten by a coon.

Still don't have silkies.. they are my favorite chicken breed, though.

Welcome to BYC! Sad the poor chicks were eaten. Sounds like they needed better protection. Hope you get your silkies one day.

 

[Rysktal]

Any thoughts on if these two chickies are pure silkie? The eggs came from flock with a breeding group of black silkies, but other roosters were present as well. (Their owner has never seen the other roosters with the silkie hens but anything is possible) Hard to tell in the picture but they do both have 5 toes.

These little ones keep having poop stuck to their feet, ahhhh. They are brooding with 32 other (not silkie) chicks and are the only ones with consistently poopy feet. Is this a silkie problem?