tom123 Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 My friend has just rang and told me that, this morning, she found one of her 8 week old cuckoo silkies dead due to the cold. Her coop was lined with straw with the pophole shut but it had slept up against the pophole and had frost along its side any it's feet were frozen. She lives near me and it isn't even that cold here! Please, Please, Please keep your chicks and growers nice and warm preferably inside in the cold weather. Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 Sorry to read about this. A timely reminder about how fragile they are when young. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffin Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 Poor little thing, Silkies are particularly vulnerable due to their feathering. My 13 week old Polands have been in my garage for weeks, can't see them going out until at least March. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted December 2, 2009 Author Share Posted December 2, 2009 Yep, very sad Good idea, Griffin. Polands wouldn't be great outside in this weather! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 Mine will be inside definitely for a long long time! The front room has become my hatchery / rearing room. I have more due at the weekend. Not ideal hatching this time of year, but I do know what I'm doing & have done it sucessfully before. A very sad story Tom. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted December 2, 2009 Author Share Posted December 2, 2009 Yes, I agree. I also have just hatched chicks a couple of days ago and they will be inside until March time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 Sad story Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickvic Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 How sad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 Poor wee thing, best not to hatch at this time of year if you can help it - the egg quality is poorer too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 It depends on where your eggs are from & if you have done your homework. You need to know exactly what you are doing this time of year. Luckily I have a friend who is a breeder of bantams & also ducks. She has been breeding for over 15 years & I always seek her advice before I do anything that concens chickens & smallholder stuff. Another friend is a breeder of all pure breed chickens & he is my absolute rock as regards chickens. He is ' my tree of knowledge' if you like. He has some fab Neiderheiners that I have my eye on! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffin Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 I want a Neiderheiner! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 It depends on where your eggs are from & if you have done your homework. You need to know exactly what you are doing this time of year. I agree, it's true whatever the season, but even more so right now. To give yourself the best chance of a decent hatch, you need to be sure your eggs are from healthy, disease-free stock, fed and cared for correctly. Unless you've done your research first, you could end up with infertile, non-viable eggs or sickly chicks at any time of year. And having such experienced chicken keepers to call on is absolutely invaluable. Lucky you Craftyhunnypie! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 Tom, that's such sad news, poor little Silkie RIP I hope everybody manages to keep their chicks warm & dry in this wonderful winter weather we are having Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 Thats a real shame Tom I put some Silkie chicks (7 weeks) out in a stable a while back in a snug hutch with a partially covered front, it was nowhere near the window but I did lose a chick - it obviously had an underlying problem (looked like a crop problem) but the cold didnt help and I had to cull the chick as it was nearly dead when I found it I have always said dont put out chicks too early but had underestimated how cold even a sheltered building can get I kicked myself for quite a few days afterwards The remaining chicks came back in and have just gone back out aged 9 weeks (in the stable) and are doing just fine thankfully Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 About 9 or ten weeks if not more is best at this time of year. Even then they are best in a coop within a hut / shed. Mine are 4 weeks this coming Wednesday. The latest I can keep them in the house till is about 21st Feb. They will be.. 13 weeks then. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
