Silkies - They’re simply SPECTACULAR!

[kurby22]

Hey silkie lovers- I'm building a coop for my flock of four birds, which includes one silkie, and a little worried from reading some posts that they won't use a ramp- the henhouse is 3 feet high. Wondering what everyone's experience is, and looking for other tips. I posted a new thread here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/silkie-coop-ramp-and-other-considerations.1498442

Mine also use their ramp! And they use the nest box that is in the upstairs coop. This is the ramp they use and they sleep on the roost bars with the big chickens

 

[kurby22]

Question for everyone since this is my first time with silkies. At what age in general do your pullets begin laying? My 3 silkies are 5 months November 5 and I am really not expecting eggs until the spring. That being said I've started noticing that in the last few days Branch has been trying to breed Lil Bit. She does not let him yet, but I'm now watching their interactions closely to see if and when she accepts him. In my other birds I've noticed that once the pullet allows the rooster to breed them I normally get that first egg in about a week.

Mine just turned 7 months and I got my first egg two days ago! They were being harassed by the cockerel for almost 3 weeks before the first egg. So yours may be getting close!

 

[RuthBaderGinsbird]

Mine also use their ramp! And they use the nest box that is in the upstairs coop. This is the ramp they use and they sleep on the roost bars with the big chickens

Thank you, feeling better now, that's around the angle we'd have to put it at. I really think she'll learn from following the others but was getting paranoid after reading a few accounts.

 

[RuthBaderGinsbird]

Mine use a ramp, no problems. It just can not be very steep.

Thank you!

 

[kurby22]

Speaking of eggs—I found a second one in the nest box yesterday and it looks to me like a different color—I know early eggs are a bit unpredictable in their appearance but wondering if this could be the other silkie’s egg? Could I have both laying at the same time??

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Speaking of eggs—I found a second one in the nest box yesterday and it looks to me like a different color—I know early eggs are a bit unpredictable in their appearance but wondering if this could be the other silkie’s egg? Could I have both laying at the same time??

Yes they can both be from the silkies. Likely you have two layers!

 

[kurby22]

Yes they can both be from the silkies. Likely you have two layers!

Yay!! How exciting I wasn’t expecting eggs till spring so I’m super happy! New favorite chickens! Hehehe

 

[ForTheLoveOfSilkies]

*Insert squealing* I really, really hope so!!!

For 6 months old there's not much comb on any so maybe you do have all girls! Or just the line they came from doesn't have large combs for boys /very slow developing
I'll keep my fingers crossed for you! maybe a couple of eggs soon!

 

[MadamContrary]

For 6 months old there's not much comb on any so maybe you do have all girls! Or just the line they came from doesn't have large combs for boys /very slow developing
I'll keep my fingers crossed for you! maybe a couple of eggs soon!

You make a very good point! I'm going to contact the breeders I got the eggs and see if I can get photos of the parents combs. I had even thought of that.

 

[ForTheLoveOfSilkies]

Hey silkie lovers- I'm building a coop for my flock of four birds, which includes one silkie, and a little worried from reading some posts that they won't use a ramp- the henhouse is 3 feet high. Wondering what everyone's experience is, and looking for other tips. I posted a new thread here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/silkie-coop-ramp-and-other-considerations.1498442

Mine are all fine with ramps though some will just jump fly up or down and skip the ramp mostly they use them. It helps if you start when their chicks but my older ones had no problem when I first put them up they worked out where to go the first night..