Would it be better to start a mix flock of all 7ish week old chicks or get the silkies I want as adu

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SoManyQuestions

SoManyQuestions

In the Brooder
May 28, 2016
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Hi everyone! I'm getting chickens for the first time. I'm very excited, have been doing a lot of research, but still have so many questions!! I found a guy near me that raises Silkies,Polish,and Americana. The breeds are kept separate however. I'm wondering which of the two options I have came up with would better?
1:Get 4 Americana, 2 Polish, and 2 Silkies all at around 7 weeks old.

2:Bring home 2 one year old silkie hens and a one silkie rooster first. Then around 5 weeks later introduce 2 Polish and 4 Americana 7 week olds to them?

I'm worried about the Silkies getting picked on. We only have one large area for them. It has one house to roost on stilts, one with 3 lay boxes, and a 200sqft run. Plan to let them free range as much as possible once they know where home is.
Other suggestions welcome! Thanks y'all!
 
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:woot

You could probably do both ways, but the first way has less problems since you don't need to introduce and have pecking order issues and quarantines. It's a lot easier if they are all raised together.
 
Hi! Thank you so much for responding! He has them separated by breed at his house. I haven't went to see how far from each other they are yet but I assume they will need to establish the pecking order.. Would they be ok that young?
 
Hi thank you for responding! That is what I was thinking too but they are kept separated by breed at his place. I haven't been to see how far apart they are but I assume they will need to establish the pecking order once I put them together?
 
Hi and welcome to BYC - i agree that getting them at once will make integration easier, and yes, they will establish a pecking order, but at such a young age its less likely that any lasting damage will be done. If you can ensure that you have multiple feed stations, it will make things easier.

Good luck
CT
 
The seller has breeds separated most likely for breeding purposes - so his pure breeds won't mix with another breed. Which is a good thing if you don't want mixed breeds.

I think it would be better to start with all 7 weekish chicks. BUT, silkies are extremely hard to sex before 4-5 mos. of age. Sometimes not till they crow or lay eggs. Also with their crests and beards their vision is obscured - plus silkies don't fly but can jump. This makes them a sitting duck for predators.

IF you don't care what sex they become and have a safe covered run, instead of free ranging - you could get all at 7 weeks.
 
I've read that Polish have vision issues too. I had never heard of them before now but they are so cute I selfishly want one.. We have enough room to keep them in the coop but I'd rather them be able to roam. Maybe I'll have to reconsider breeds once I go visit them. I'm having a hard time finding pullet sized local and was very excited to have found two of the breeds I wanted together :(
 

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