I don't know much about silkies...don't care for a bird that has handicapped vision tho, and I don't even free range.That helps a lot. I think thats what I'll do when the smaller ones are ready. So, do you think eventually the silkies will be able to free range too? After they're used to each other through the fence. I would love it if they can!
Any bird free ranging will be susceptible to predation.