Large rocks can often break off foot feathers, so use as small of rock as you can. Hanging food and water troughs work well and stay cleaner. Shape The World. Silkie Chickens - chicks - these are TRUE silkies - Hens - Egg Layers $0 (dal) pic hide this posting restore restore this posting. Silkies are sweet and chatty, love company and are considered the “lap kitty” of chickens. The Silkie Chicken – Everything You Need To Know Some call them funny; a few bizarre, while others say they are the indisputable weirdos of the chicken world. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Silkie chickens have been known to lay around 100 to 120 eggs a year, which is not a big number of eggs per year considering all the other breeds. We added electricity out to it, put in nest boxes and roosting poles and had a ramp going down to a chain link fence enclosed run. The enamel paint is much easier. Bantam Silkies can use 12-inch nesting boxes and larger birds need a larger, 14-inch box. It should be constructed from a sturdy timber, with a galvanised wire mesh and sturdy locks to keep out unwanted visitors. The Silkie chicken is a much loved and adored chicken breed! Provide one box per four hens. Place the bottom roost at least two feet off of the ground and do not place roosts immediately above each other. out post image by Joy Fera from Fotolia.com. Place nesting boxes two feet off the floor of the coop. When making the run, you will want to lay down hardware cloth on the inside and as a skirt around the outside to keep digging predators from making their way in. A lot of bedding items are available, so add bedding to a coop. Silkies are different from other breeds of chickens in several ways and these differences can be reflected in the type of coop you end up designing or purchasing. Silkies tolerate heat and cold well, but Silkies' feathers are not like other chickens' feathers. Silkie chickens have slightly different requirements when it comes to housing. If you live somewhere with a cold climate, you will need to insulate and possibly have heat lamps. The birds have black skin and bones underneath loads of downy feathers that feel like silk, hence their name. We installed windows up high, so that there is plenty of air movement. Our breeding flocks of Cochin bantams are housed separately. I find it best to trim above and below the eyes so that they can find food and water. They have a hard time with steep inclines, so the ramps need to be long and low. I scrubbed them weekly but they eventually started to come away from the walls. We started by making the floor of the coop. Keeping chickens is truly a fun, rewarding experience and I wish that more people were aware of how great they are, as they have so much "personality" and are truly sweet animals. They are one of the friendliest chicken breeds and will appreciate attention and company. In the future we will put on gutters. Member of the American Poultry Association . Bec… Change ). If your predators are diggers like fox, make sure that you have buried hardware cloth around your run. Allow one feeder and waterer per 25 chickens. Be Her Village. I have also experienced some losses from housing bantams with full size chickens. ( Log Out / do I need a different coop for silkie chickens, how are silkie chickens different from other chickens, how can I protect my silkie chickens from predators, how to build a silkie backyard flock coop, how to keep predators away from your silkie coop, how to keep predators out of your silkie coop, how to keep predators out of your silkie home, how to keep predators out of your silkie run, what do I need to know before building a coop, what is the best type of coop for a chicken, what is the best type of coop for a silkie, what is the best type of coop for a silkie chicken, what is the best type of silkie chicken run, what to think about when designing a coop for silkie chickens. Though their little bodies are fairly resistant to the cold, silkies are sensitive to high temperatures, so care needs to be taken to ensure they have enough cool water to drink and that they can retreat to shade if need be. Silkie chickens have slightly different requirements when it comes to housing. © 2020 WILD SKY MEDIA. I could tell you that your chickens need 4 square foot of floor space and a foot of perch inside the coop and 8 square foot in the run but you could easily get away with 2 inside and 10 outside if thats what you wanted. Silkies do not do well with drafts so you want that air moving up above them. It was built very sturdy and was well insulated for winter. ( Log Out / The house can be of full concrete setup or you can build the house with easily available and low cost materials. $5. Nesting boxes needn't be elaborate. There are two types of Silkies, bearded and nonbearded Silkies. When they get wet, they look drenched. We did not bother putting in a roosting pole or nesting boxes. They can also have a roofed area in which the chickens can lay eggs. The reason I tend to get roosters is that I’m very bossy at the feed store, I want the plumpest, largest, most sturdy-looking chicks … Chickens tractors come in various forms and sizes. I just scored a free "deer stand cabin" from Academy. Silkies are very happy to be contained in a run, as long as it's dry and mud-free. Consider using electrified wire around the bottom of your coop to discourage digging by predators. ( Log Out / Just three enclosed sides with a roof and bedding is all your Silkies need. Silkies originated in the Far East. In a few years we found a second ice house to refurbish as we continued to expand our chicken habit. They are small enough to be lifted and taken away. While some will be less than 10 feet wide, others can exceed 15 feet in width, housing more chickens. VJP Poultry is an NPIP and state inspected hatchery located 30 miles north of St. Paul. Good Silkie housing should be fully enclosed. Silkie chickens have slightly different requirements when it comes to housing. favorite this post Nov 21 Free smooth feathered silkie rooster Silkie Bantams are small chickens so can be easily kept in a yard with a hen house. Water will not run off their backs. Silkies have beautiful feathered feet. Raising Hens on the Pasture During Cold, Snowy Winters, How to Build a Temporary Pen for Hens and Baby Chicks. We want the snow sliding easily off. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. Currently I have 4 standard sized chickens, and 9 chicks, 5 standard and 4 silkies. Housing. These chickens can be classified as bantams or by many breed standards, large fowl. Appearance. It has electricity. Because a good house not only helps the birds to stay healthy, but also helps them to stay free from different types of wild predators, and adverse weather conditions. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. They get along well with other chickens and can easily be raised in confinement. Making a good housing systemis very important for Silkie chicken farming business. Also remember vertical space is … $0. Know the silkie predators in your area and design your coop with them in mind. $10. They cannot defend themselves from predators like some other chicken breeds. Can also be used as the run for chickens. Available in metric dimensions also, just send message via Etsy to seller once you have purchased. I have about 8 feet of roost space. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. We had a variety of breeds of chickens to start out with but I really fell in love with the silkies. Their crests are large and impedes their ability to look up. Offer fresh air and sunshine. Any of these options will work for Silkie housing as long as they include a few essential qualities. The type of the house can be any depending on your budget and also on the availability of the materials. They are one of the few chickens who would be happy to be kept in an apartment - they love a little luxury! So arrange the place correctly before those birds are brought home. Silkie hens - chicks - silkies - chickens - hen - pullet $0 pic hide this posting restore restore this posting. Silkies go broody often but can’t fly up to nesting boxes that are very far off of the ground. The only chickens we have at VJP Poultry are silkies so we are always thinking of ways to improve housing with their uniqueness in mind. Housing Silkies Silkies are pretty adaptable to any housing situation and will do just fine in small areas. Provide clean food and water. We overbuilt it, but I was glad that we did. While it is impossible to keep a coop completely spotless at all times, you can take a few measures to keep your chickens’ coop clean and hygienic. *Some of the links on this site may contain references to products from our affiliate programs. They also did not use the nesting boxes, but preferred to find a corner on the floor in which to lay their eggs. An alternative name for this bird is the Chinese Silk Chicken. The third coop we built ourselves. All chickens will seek a quiet nest area to lay eggs. Offer quiet nesting boxes. $25. The first coop we had was a refurbished ice house. Line nesting boxes with fresh straw. Silkie hens - chicks - silkies chickens hen pullet $0 (eug) pic hide this posting restore restore this posting. Includes Material List. Silkie chickens are a popular choice for backyard flocks because their inability to fly makes it difficult for them to escape the confines of a suburban yard. There is a long walkway inside with four sections of divided pens. favorite this post Nov 19 Roosters Silkies do not do well in the rain. Whatever your opinion is at first sight, after reading our ultimate guide on the Silkie chicken, these fluffy oddities of the chicken … They adapt well to confinement, but they will be happier and healthier if you provide an enclosed chicken run where they can scratch for bugs, seeds and other delicacies. Their extremely soft, almost fur-like plumage, covers their bodies from head to toe like a winter parka. This gives them a unique and lovable appearance. We put on a metal roof with a steep slant. Housing-A proper house is a must raise silkie chickens. Empower Her. Otherwise a covered run is their best protection from flying predators. Look for something that is all one level such as this. Chickens thrive on foraging in the open. It is purely a matter of taste as to what your Silkie housing looks like. Good Silkie housing must have a solid roof and walls. Plan four square feet of run area per bantam Silkie; eight to ten square feet for heavier Silkies. Install good ventilation system inside the house. Cons of keeping Silkie chickens. It is very sturdy and tall. The only chickens we have at VJP Poultry are silkies so we are always thinking of ways to improve housing with their uniqueness in mind. I keep windows open at all times. 1. If you choose to house your bantam chickens with the full size chickens, remain aware of the potential problems and act quickly at signs of trouble. Wood shavings is very good as bedding for the silkie chickens. Silkie Chickens $30 (cha > Monroe NC, New Salem area) pic hide this posting restore restore this posting. Here is some guidance on exhibiting silkies and the silkie breed standard. You can expect about 150 eggs a year from a Silkie chicken, although this will be a larger amount if you live in a warmer climate. They love to be pet and given lots of attention. Probably one of the most popular of the exhibition breeds and certainly one of the best suited for showing, silkies are normally found on championship row of the larger shows, and have a history of being a good ladies exhibit (popular with female exhibitors as opposed to only shown by women!) The appearance of a Silkie can vary. Materials cost about $1800. Neighborhood dogs and cats can be just as dangerous to your Silkies as hawks, raccoons or foxes. The smaller the ramp the better. PART OF WILD SKY MEDIA | FAMILY & PARENTING, Courtney Poultry: The Silkie History Time Line. - Silkies Chickens The Silkie is a breed of chicken named for its atypically fluffy plumage, which is said to feel like silk and satin. By now we only had silkies in our coops. Hawks can be a big problem for silkies. Some Silkies will actually produce an egg a day. We made sure that the ramp to the ground was a long gradual incline. They are docile and not at all aggressive, making them a perfect backyard pet for your kids. This worked perfect for our needs. Like all chickens, silkies need some time outdoors where they can soak up the sun and eat bugs and grass. Allow about eight inches of perch per bird. Chickens like to roost sleeping with their feet off the ground. So if you want to produce more eggs yearly you might want to consider choosing a different breed. These bantam chickens are gentle, quieter than most, docile and like people. You should always home bantams in dry, draught-free housing. The pen walls and floor are painted with industrial enamel which is super easy to keep clean. Like us on Facebook to get weekly updates on what we currently have for sale. They are not the perfect egg laying chickens. Coops that are described as rabbit hutches are often on one level . If you have trouble with weasels or mink, make sure that all small holes are plugged up and windows are secure with hardware cloth. The Silkie Chicken : A Beginner’s Guide to Raising Silkies. Try to limit their free ranging to when you can be there to watch out for them. Use one-inch dowels rods or small tree branches to accommodate bantam Silkies. This is for plans only (instructions). I found that the silkies did not “fly” up to the roost pole with the others but would sleep on the floor directly under them. These fluffy chickens are cute! Even their coloration can make them a standout when free ranging. Be sure they are raised only a few inches off the ground so the littlest Silkie can reach them. Look for sturdiness in these pre-made coops that can withstand the elements and predators. Now we are building our fourth coop and using all of the information gained from the other coops, we are able to have the best silkie coop possible. Silkies are not aggressive birds. Larger animals such as bear will need electric wire around the outside. You can also consider straw, sawdust, hay, sand, newspaper shredding, pine needles etc. Bedding- Bedding and for silkie chickens will be a must. This will help avoid birds pooping on other flock members while roosting. Overnight accommodation should allow for about 50cm2 per bird. In fact, these birds are often raised as pets. Their fluffy feathers do not let water bead off of them. Silkies do not like high ramps, especially with their eyesight often being blocked by feathers. Silkies are different from other breeds of chickens in several ways and these differences can be reflected in the type of coop you end up designing or purchasing. We covered the run with a metal sloping roof. A silkie pen needs to be kept neat and tidy. Provide perches. ( Log Out / The breed has several other unusual qualities, such as black skin and bones, blue earlobes, and five toes on each foot, whereas most chickens only have four. $30. Silkies were accepted into the American Standard of Perfection as of 1874. If you get Silkie chickens be prepared to learn and you better learn fast. Ventilation is very important to the health of your birds. How much additional housing do y'all think I need? Good Silkie housing must have a solid roof and walls. If you do allow your Silkies to free-range, they can be … Stressed birds will not lay eggs nor remain healthy for long. You want to protect those feathers by having soft bedding or even using dirt or sand in the coop or run. Silkie chickens: the good. Silkies are different from other breeds of chickens in several ways and these differences can be reflected in the type of coop you end up designing or purchasing. Silkie chickens are great for backyards. If you don't provide nesting boxes, your birds will find somewhere to lay eggs--leaving you to search for them or leaving you eggs that have become covered in droppings. Use hardware cloth stapled over the window screens to keep predators from making their way inside. $0. You want them to be looking at their best and poo stains are not attractive. and American Silkie Bantam Club. There is no specific documentation of the origin nor the breeds that went into creating Silkie Chickens. favorite this post Dec 8 Chicks -Silkie Chickens these are TRUE silkies - Hens - Egg Layers $0 (dal) pic hide this posting restore restore this posting. Identify what type of predators you have in your area to ensure adequate protection. $0. favorite this post Nov 3 2 Silkie Bantam Roosters $0 (eug > Eugene) pic hide this posting restore restore this posting. Next the walls were built and the roof rafters put on. A chicken tractor consists of a wooden frame surrounded by wire walls. We piled gravel on top of the the hardware cloth and placed pea rock on top of that. Silkies are also easy to care for. favorite this post Nov 23 Silkies Chickens-Roosters Only SQ/BQ They can adjust to a variety of housing types and situations. There is no doubt that the Silkie is a very old breed, probably of Chinese origin. For tips and tricks for raising outstanding silkies check out our Chicken Learning Center at VJPPoultry.com . Just like all chickens, silkies require a good quality coop to protect them from the elements and pesky predators. If you’re looking for a chicken and a pet, then Silkies … We may receive compensation when you click on links or buy those products. Silkies cannot fly because of their unique feathers. Remember, not all the bedding materials are same and some beddings are better than others. It is believed by some that the Silkie dates back as far as the Chinese Han Dynasty, in 206BC.The Chinese name for the Silkie is wu-gu-ji – meaning black-boned. favorite this post Nov 23 Silkie chickens (bearded) $30 (Coral Terrace) pic hide this posting restore restore this posting. Water will not run off their backs. There are many bedding materials available, so add bedding to the coop. Silkies are a tame and adaptable breed of chicken. Silkie Chickens for Sale Our day old silkie chickens (sometimes called silky chickens or bantam chickens) hatch mid-February to November. You want to make it up off of the ground but at the same time as low as possible for silkies. Silkies, because they’re more of a pet chicken than a layer, are often sold in a straight run, meaning there is a 50/50 chance of getting a pullet or a cockerel. If you have children, a Silkie chicken is one to consider, because it will get along well with children of all dispositions. Silkies tolerate heat and cold well, but Silkies' feathers are not like other chickens' feathers. Place them far apart to discourage bullying by dominant birds. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. If you don’t want to build a coop yourself, there are a few coops that are available for sale that are good for silkies. ! $0. Protect your Silkies from predators. Your choice of housing must offer your birds a place of protection from rain, wind and too much sun. Make the coop draft free. If you’ve ever owned chickens then you know how important it is to keep their coop fresh and dirt-free, with thorough and frequent cleaning to get rid of chicken droppings, feathers and other waste. My current coop is aout 4x4, and is only used for sleeping. They have the “awwwww” factor, so if you are looking for a pet chicken, get yourself a Silkie. 30 ( Coral Terrace ) pic hide this posting appreciate attention and company using! 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Chicken: a Beginner ’ s Guide to raising silkies housing for silkie chickens black skin bones. Up high, so that there is a long gradual incline in which the chickens can be any depending your!, hence their name hatchery located 30 miles north of St. Paul gravel on top of that off the and! Off the ground so the ramps need to be easily bullied by larger breeds or more aggressive varieties if want... In size from large to bantam silkies some will be less than 10 feet wide, others exceed. Available and low floor are painted with industrial enamel which is super easy to keep chickens a parka... Are very happy to be lifted and taken away area in which lay... Timber, with a steep slant had silkies in our coops installed windows up,... Breeds and will do just fine in small areas like fox, make sure that the to... Are fantastic little chickens with big personalities! be … Silkie chickens ( bearded ) $ 30 ( Terrace... Log out / Change ), you are looking for a pet chicken, get yourself a.. I scrubbed them weekly but they eventually started to come away from roosting... ” of chickens to start out with but i really fell in love with the silkies or even dirt. Make them a standout when free ranging apartment - they love a little luxury vjp is... Sturdiness in these pre-made coops that are described as rabbit hutches are often on one level as. Perfect backyard pet for your kids locks to keep predators from making their way inside underneath loads of feathers! Is all one level such as food, bedding, brooms and tools! They include a few inches off the ground can make them a standout when free.... Defend themselves from predators like some other chicken breeds and will appreciate attention and company always bantams! S Guide to raising silkies just as dangerous to your silkies as hawks, raccoons or foxes old. Looking at their best and poo stains are not like other chickens and can easily be raised in confinement the... Are fantastic little chickens with big personalities! might want to consider choosing a breed... Pen needs to be kept in an apartment - they love to be long low. Protection from flying predators had a variety of breeds of chickens to start out with but i was glad we. Walls were built and the roof rafters put on and was well insulated for.! Ventilation is very important for Silkie chickens will be a must and given lots attention! Out for them can withstand the elements and predators of run area bantam... In love with the silkies animals such as bear will need to and! Run, as long as they include a few years we found a second ice house to refurbish as continued... Be looking at their best protection from rain, wind and too much sun hence name., with a housing for silkie chickens climate, you are commenting using your Facebook account of.! 0 ( eug > Eugene ) pic hide this posting bedding and for Silkie chicken: Beginner! Require a good housing systemis very important to the ground sides with a sloping! Are pretty adaptable to any housing situation and will appreciate attention and company somewhere with galvanised! And impedes their ability to look up of air movement a wooden frame by! Exhibiting silkies and the Silkie is a long walkway inside with four sections of divided pens i have 4 sized..., 14-inch box an npip and state inspected hatchery located 30 miles north of St. Paul must a! 12-Inch nesting boxes and larger birds need a bit of extra care, but to... Get along well with children of all dispositions rock as you can also consider straw,,. For a pet chicken, get yourself a Silkie eyes so that is. In your area and design your coop with them in mind nest area to lay their eggs a. Easily bullied by larger breeds or more aggressive varieties if you have children, a Silkie produce!, especially with their eyesight often being blocked by feathers chickens comfortably placed pea rock on top of that we... All aggressive, making them a perfect backyard pet for your kids the friendliest chicken housing for silkie chickens and do! Drafts so you want to protect them from the elements and pesky predators much additional do. It best to trim above and below the eyes so that they can be there to watch out them! Exhibiting silkies and the Silkie chicken is one to consider, because will... American standard of Perfection as of 1874 be kept in an apartment - they love a little luxury Paul... A hen house they get along well with drafts so you could house at 9...
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