Raising SILKIE CHICKENS: Are Silkies Winter Hardy? How Are The Silkies Surviving Winter 2024

Raising silkie chickens in winter is a topic that can be a bit controversial. But today, we are sharing our experiences so far with raising a small flock of silkie chickens in Canada. Though the winter of 2024 has been somewhat mild, we have still seen some pretty drastic temperature fluctuations and the silkies have been living through it all. So, if you are considering silkies but thinking maybe they are not as cold hardy in the winter as you would like, hopefully, this video gives you some things to think about and maybe helps answer some questions about raising silkies in the winter cold.
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Thanks for watching!
Steph and Chris
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[@mildredarnold4052]

I love silkies they are such a love able chicken.

[@HickorycroftFarm]

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!)

[@ThorHavenFarm]

Love this information. Not sure if we can switch though out to a non Quebec chicken LOL

[@HickorycroftFarm]

It's interesting to document things with the silkies. Glad you enjoyed it. They certainly are hardier than most people give them credit for.

[@jenniferlavigne4958]

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!?

[@lynncampbell6237]

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.

[@pseudopetrus]

Also wet Feathered feet will freeze. I had Silkies when I was a kid. Keep them dry!

[@janew5351]

Did you remove nesting box or boxes? Could you have a nesting box on the ground?

[@HickorycroftFarm]

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.

[@lifeinthevalley14]

Love you guys set up! Our coop usually doesn’t get below freezing now that we have a bigger flock!

[@HickorycroftFarm]

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!).

[@gabischnell3196]

We put some Vaseline on combs, that protects them from freezing. We had some rather frosty weeks here in south Germany. Best wishes 🐓

[@HickorycroftFarm]

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.

[@maplewoodhomestead2017]

We have one silkie and she would come out when the others would not in the snow

[@HickorycroftFarm]

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)