Silkie chickens are known for being fluffy and soft. These cute chicken breeds also have the ability to fly, except they don’t. The silkie chicken is well-known for its unusual behavior in that it will actually “roost” on tree branches rather than on the ground or indoors. However, it seems that some people aren’t sure if these chickens really do roost or if it’s just an urban legend.
This article will explore whether or not silkies sometimes roost like many breeders claim they do.
Do Silkies Roost?
Not usually! Silkies are an interesting breed because they don’t roost with their flock at night. Instead, they sleep on the ground or in whatever area you allow them access to during the day.
Silkies can be kept in a coop, but it’s best if you provide them with some extra space on the ground where they can sleep.
Why Do They Roost?
Silkies are often thought of as chickens who just like to jump around, but they actually have a lot more going on under their curly brown feathers. Silkies roost because they enjoy the feeling of safety that comes with being on high or tall perches.
They also use their roosts as nests where they can sleep comfortably and away from predators. Silkies also use their roosts to store food and water, which makes it easy for them to find what they need during the day when there is no opportunity for them to search for it otherwise.
Do Silkies Sleep On The Floor?
Yes, silkies sleep on the floor.
Maybe you’re just starting out in backyard chicken raising and you’re not sure if you need to get a fancy coop or can just keep it simple and put them in a barn or shed, but the answer is, of course, that they can sleep on the floor.
Chickens like Silkies are extremely hardy and have been raised for hundreds of years without the benefit of human-built housing. Silkies are more than capable of sleeping on the floor, and this is actually what they would prefer.
In fact, many chicken farmers will purchase a small flock of Silkies for their other chickens because these birds are excellent broody hens and will sit on large clutches of eggs so that the eggs don’t have to be dealt with by machinery or hand. They’ll also take care of any chicks that hatch from those eggs with no problem at all since they’re so nurturing.
How High Do Silkies Like To Roost?
If you’re raising silkies, you might be wondering if your birds are roosting higher than usual. The answer is: no, they’re not. Silkies actually prefer to roost right on the ground.
Silkies are a small breed of chicken that can’t fly. If they were allowed to roost in trees, they would fall out and get hurt. It’s natural for them to roost on the ground, where they feel safe.
If you’re raising silkies and want to make sure they have a good place to roost, consider creating a special area with plenty of bedding and nesting materials.
Can Silkies Fly Up On Roost?
Silkies are flightless birds. They don’t have the wing power to fly up onto roosts. But if you want to help them out, you can provide a ramp for them so they can climb up the steps.
Can Silkies Climb Ladders?
The short answer is YES, and this video is proof:
But that’s not the whole picture. To be more precise, yes, Silkies can climb ladders—but it’s not always a good idea to let them! They aren’t very good at it, and they can get scared halfway up, which may cause them to fall and hurt themselves.
If you’re going to let your Silkie climb a ladder, make sure it’s short (2 feet or less) and that you put soft bedding down at the bottom in case your Silkie falls.
It will also help if you give your Silkie treats while they’re on the ladder to encourage them!
What to Do If Your Silkie Is Not Happy on the Ground
If your silkie is not happy on the ground and is scratching, squawking, or running around in circles, it’s time to take action.
Some of the reasons that a silkie would be loathed to stay on the ground are because they might be too hot or too cold. Silkies can get stressed when it’s too hot and will start pulling out their feathers in order to stay cool.
They will also become stressed if the temperature drops below 85 degrees Fahrenheit which can cause them to develop hypothermia. The best way to prevent this is by providing a heat lamp nearby. If your bird ends up with hypothermia, you may need to bring it to a veterinary clinic for care.
Another reason why a silkie would refuse to stay on the ground could be because they don’t have enough space or they are afraid of predators that may enter while they are roosting. If this is going on, then you should provide more room for your bird and make sure there aren’t any predators present before returning it back onto the roost later.
If you find that your bird won’t go back onto the roost after being removed, then you’ll need to try something different like taming your bird or simply giving him/her plenty of toys and treats so it will be easier for them to stay off the ground and enjoy their life as a free-range chicken.
Conclusion
Silkies are fun to watch and often make great pets. But when they want to roost, they can be the source of a lot of frustration. They roost because they are looking for a safe place to sleep. So what should you do if you have a silkie that is not happy on the ground?
Well, the best thing to do is to try to prevent them from roosting in the first place. There are a few things you can do to make your silkie happier on the ground – try neutering your pet, giving them more toys, and giving them somewhere else to sleep like a perch.
