WELCOME NEW MEMBERS. INTRODUCE YOURSELF HERE

[the-real-tinkerbell]

ok this might sound a strange one but im after a bit of advice re silkies

im desperate to get some silkies but my WIR is full and my eglu has a sitting broody in it .

so heres the thing at the side of my house i have a large bit of garden that has my daughters play house on it, this is surrounded by a 3.5ft fence to make her a garden her garden is 22ft .long and 15ft wide at the top narrowing to 10ft at the bottom

 

i was wondering how much run space a couple of silkies would need ? could i get a small wood house and run in the fenced off bit ,without taking away to much of her garden .

 

i guess what im asking is can my daughter have chickens in her garden??

 

thanks in advance

kellie-anne

[Christian]

You are asking us if you can get more chickens??

 

YES!! That is loads of space for a couple of silkies

[the-real-tinkerbell]

wooohooooo lol notice how im making out there for my daughter lol

 

how big a run do i need for 2 silkies ? as i will get my dad building lol

[Jools]

Silkies need as much room as any other chicken. The absolute minimum would be 1sqm per bird, but the more the better. They also don't do well on wet ground, or if they don't have enough shelter from rain, so make sure whatever house or run you buy or build takes account of that. They are lovely though

[Space Chick]

I agree that Silkies prefer shelter, so a roofed wir would be best.

 

They are fabulous chickens though

[the-real-tinkerbell]

i cant have a wir for them as it has to fit in my daughters garden i was thinking of one of the little houses with built on run

[Mollie333]

Hello from Derbyshire!

 

Where abouts are you?

Unfortunatly Silkie's are prone to Mareks aparently so i won't be getting them again since my girl died of a disease.

But all the best luck to you!

[Redwing]

Something like this would be good

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Superb-Quality-Poultry-House-Chicken-Coop-run-/280538765596?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Poultry&hash=item415169d91c

 

The felt roof isnt ideal but if you are careful with your red mite prevention then it would be fine

 

You'd need to cover the top of the run for Silkies but a sheet or two of corrugated plastic would do it, alternatively you can but this sort of thing with a roofed run

[Jools]

Or an eglu would be perfect for two Silkies, especially if you could move it occasionally as Silkies aren't too destructive when it comes to grass.

 

Do remember though that they're prone to extreme broodiness, but they are known for being good winter layers as a result.