(When chicks, do just the feet, not the whole body, as you don't want them to be chilled!). mine range from 4 weeks to 12 weeks. In 1874, Silkies had made their way west and were accepted into the North American Standard of Perfection. Do not use normal disinfectants, as these can irritate your chicken’s respiratory systems. Follow all notes and one cannot go wrong. ", "I didn't know that you should have more than one hen when pairing for breeding. The extra toes and feather feet can sometimes be an issue. I give mine to my silkies right before bedtime. Here are eight tips for winter chicken care that helped my chickens stay comfortable even when it’s cold outside. right now they are in coop, house, and garage. ", "I can learn some about silkie chickens. When raising just a few chicks (30 or less) use a large box with walls at least 18-inches high and place the box in a safe area away from drafts and household pets. I hang a brood lamp or two over their waterer to prevent it from freezing, and another over their nest boxes. Place the nest boxes in a dark, quiet corner of the coop. Ensure availability of sufficient amount of fresh and clean water for your silkies. Don't put a heater in your chicken coop for winter warmth. This article was co-authored by Ryan Corrigan, LVT, VTS-EVN. Just like puppies, baby chicks are unbelievably adorable and loveable. Care for Newborn Chicks Set up a brooding area. Winterizing Your Coop. Keep an eye on your flock for aggressive behavior and separate the chickens who are not getting along. They need a high-quality chick feed, space, a heat source and clean water to drink. Hang the feeder about 2 inches from the ground so feces can't drop into the food. Replace all the bedding in case of a mite infestation. Silkies and frizzle-feathered birds can’t stay warm in a winter wind. Silkies are active little birds, and require some room to stretch their fantastically feathered legs, so be sure that their humble abode has a run, or fenced in area for them to explore. Just ensure that the house is spacious enough for cleaning it properly, collecting the eggs and also for catching the birds when necessary. For safety, keep the heat lamp away from cobwebs and debris. With that being said, I had to go out and towel dry my buff Silkie … You also must keep only one male per coop; otherwise. For tips on how to spot common illnesses in silkie chickens, read on! Nature makes chickens lay more in the spring and less in the heat of summer or the cold of winter. Give it to them 6 weeks before slaughter. Raising Silkies. Ready-made chicken coop is also available with a run. "I need it for an assignment. Purchasing a water feeder rather than filling a container up with water will be good, because there is a possible chance the chicks will fall in and drown. Chicken runs keep chickens safe from predators. Silkies have lots of feathers and will huddle together to keep warm. Size doesn’t matter with Silkies, they will hatch any size fertilized egg and even care for many other types of fowl. Just use regular breakfast oatmeal but make sure that you are not serving it too hot. However, if you need to raise some of these beautiful birds then you must have to know the steps for proper caring for silkie chickens. For larger numbers, a metal stock tank can used in an enclosed, draft free outbuilding. ", Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow, http://www.poultryclub.org/poultry/housing-equipment-and-feed/, https://www.mypetchicken.com/backyard-chickens/chicken-care/chapter-5-chicken-coop-requirements.aspx, https://www.hobbyfarms.com/5-bantam-chickens-perfect-for-your-small-backyard/, https://www.motherearthnews.com/homesteading-and-livestock/bantam-chickens-zmaz87jfzgoe, https://www.mypetchicken.com/backyard-chickens/chicken-care/chapter-6-preparing-for-chickens.aspx, https://www.thehappychickencoop.com/silkie-chicken/, https://www.beautyofbirds.com/caringforpoultrychicks.html, Cuidar da Galinha Sedosa do Japão (Silkie), Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. The chickens will self-moderate how much grit they have in their diet. [1] X Research source You can order a premade coop online or build your own. Finisher feed is used for producing meat, and this food should be fed for 6 weeks until slaughter. Can female and male silkies be kept together? Try to keep your coop well ventilated. Because the silkies can’t defend themselves and all the fluff around their heads can cause them to not see well which is why you have to ensure the coop is predator proof or at least in a predator proof coop. Thanks to their fluffy feathers and docile behavior, silkies are a great starter bird for anyone looking to begin their own backyard flock. For the wet cold months of the year silkies can sure get messy. Remove potential obstructions as often … I sometimes have an extra helper! Winter temps here go down to -30 and there is no heat in the coop except that generated by the chickens, which is enough to keep it above freezing. Bedding is a must for the silkie chickens. Provide them with housing, food and care as you would ordinary chicks. Silkies are small birds so they don’t need as much space as larger chickens. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Quail don’t take much more care in the winter, other than making sure they have a way to get out of the wind and snow, and unfrozen water to drink. As long as you keep them clean and healthy, they will live for up 7 years. This is called mash, and it prevents the food from sticking to the chickens’ beaks. Also consider whether you want to keep the birds inside always or want to let them outside during the day. Similar to any other baby chick, Silkies must be kept dry and warm, as they are very fragile when they are young. How many days does it take for silkie eggs to hatch? Proper and adequate feeding is main consideration for caring for silkie chickens. 8 Tips for Winter Chicken Care Give Them Fresh Water. The Origin of Silkie Chickens. Think of all … Silkies are known to brood any eggs, even egg-shaped items like rocks or tennis balls. Cracked corn is a wonderful winter treat. Using the deep litter method in the hen house has a few benefits. Thanks, though. And they also need a shade and cool place for protecting themselves from the sun during the summer season. The amount of feed depends on the type of feed and also on the size of your flock. Many breeders try to breed diseases out of their chickens. For tips on how to spot common illnesses in silkie chickens, read on! You can cook and eat silkie eggs as you would any chicken eggs. Sharing is caring! A slanted roof will keep your chickens dry and help with the snow later in the winter. Nothing will kill a … If you want to care for silkie chickens, keep them in a coop with wire mesh that has holes no larger than 0.5 inches so predators can't get in. Use a screen or a towel to cover the box.