I am getting my first ever backyard chickens in October. Silkies! Thank you for putting my mind at ease with regards to winter. I want to give them the best life I can! I am a new subscriber!😃 I look forward to watching all of your videos. Best wishes from Indiana!
I just got my first silkie after only having Road Island Reds and Whites. I would have never got one because their eggs are so small, but a friend gave her to me. I just love my Silkie. She just has personality and she keeps us entertained.
Thank you! it's worked out well for us (and the coops have been around for years; we even moved them multiple times from two other properties, so they have got lots of use over the years!).
yes, the Vaseline works quite well. We have been monitoring this rooster (and it may not have actually been frostbite, but maybe just a peck mark from one of the hens as he has not developed anymore). But it's been a mild winter here for sure in 2024 so far.
I will be getting 6 silkies then end of April. We bought a chicken coop with a little fenced in yard attached and plan on making a bigger run. Inwas wonder the tricks for winter though? Never had chickens before and don't want them to freeze in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan winters. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!?
We do actually take the nest boxes out during the winter (and fall) because we find that if we leave them someone wants to go broody. We do keep the nest boxes on the ground, though, when we do put them in (during breeding season). They are pretty clean birds, though, so laying on the floor doesn't seem to cause many issues with dirty eggs, etc., usually.
I know we seem a little silkie crazy, but it's been really interesting making the switch (the internet doesn't seem to have all the answerers when it comes to silkies it would seem lol)
I am getting my first ever backyard chickens in October. Silkies! Thank you for putting my mind at ease with regards to winter. I want to give them the best life I can! I am a new subscriber!😃 I look forward to watching all of your videos. Best wishes from Indiana!
I just got my first silkie after only having Road Island Reds and Whites. I would have never got one because their eggs are so small, but a friend gave her to me. I just love my Silkie. She just has personality and she keeps us entertained.
Love you guys set up!
Our coop usually doesn’t get below freezing now that we have a bigger flock!
Thank you! it's worked out well for us (and the coops have been around for years; we even moved them multiple times from two other properties, so they have got lots of use over the years!).
I love silkies they are such a love able chicken.
They really are, and a lot more practical than often described to be which is a nice bonus (pleasant to raise and practical! a win-win situation!)
We put some Vaseline on combs, that protects them from freezing. We had some rather frosty weeks here in south Germany.
Best wishes 🐓
yes, the Vaseline works quite well. We have been monitoring this rooster (and it may not have actually been frostbite, but maybe just a peck mark from one of the hens as he has not developed anymore). But it's been a mild winter here for sure in 2024 so far.
Love this information. Not sure if we can switch though out to a non Quebec chicken LOL
It's interesting to document things with the silkies. Glad you enjoyed it. They certainly are hardier than most people give them credit for.
I will be getting 6 silkies then end of April. We bought a chicken coop with a little fenced in yard attached and plan on making a bigger run. Inwas wonder the tricks for winter though? Never had chickens before and don't want them to freeze in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan winters. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!?
Also wet Feathered feet will freeze. I had Silkies when I was a kid. Keep them dry!
Did you remove nesting box or boxes?
Could you have a nesting box on the ground?
We do actually take the nest boxes out during the winter (and fall) because we find that if we leave them someone wants to go broody. We do keep the nest boxes on the ground, though, when we do put them in (during breeding season). They are pretty clean birds, though, so laying on the floor doesn't seem to cause many issues with dirty eggs, etc., usually.
We have one silkie and she would come out when the others would not in the snow
I know we seem a little silkie crazy, but it's been really interesting making the switch (the internet doesn't seem to have all the answerers when it comes to silkies it would seem lol)