1st Time Chicken Owner

How many roosters is sufficient for 20 hens?

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Welcome to Backyard Chickens Ashley. I would worry about allowing a bearded silkie to free range. With the beard & crest, the vision is impacted. Also silkies are not meant for flying, as a means of escape. They are generally the first birds to be picked off,especially if they are white, or light colored ones which show up readily.
 
When I get new birds, I usually leave them in the coops for 2-3 days, but if I get a larger amount of birds, I keep them in for 5-6 days. If they seem to be adjusting well, you can let them out on day 3, but it if there are any problems with roosting, you should leave them in another day or two.


I hope this helps!!! Welcome to BYC:woot:wee:welcome:welcome
 
drumstick diva said:
Welcome to Backyard Chickens Ashley. I would worry about allowing a bearded silkie to free range. With the beard & crest, the vision is impacted. Also silkies are not meant for flying, as a means of escape. They are generally the first birds to be picked off,especially if they are white, or light colored ones which show up readily.
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Wow, you just told me EVERYTHING THAT'S GOING ON RIGHT NOW! LOL So, I waited to put my silkie (Romeo) in last, I kept him inside until morning, then took him out to introduce him to the rest of the flock. I was working outside about all day, so I was able to keep close tabs on him. After keeping all my new birds in the coop for about 60 hours, I let them out for the 1st time yesterday to free range. It went great! They all stayed in the back yard, pretty close to the coop. Only a few hens wondered, but came back to the coop about 2 hours later. However, I noticed that my silkie and 1 other hen remained inside of the coop. When he finally did come out, he stayed close to me. Within 20 mins, my alpha rooster (Lucifer ;) attacked him multiple times. Romeo took off for the coop, but Lucifer followed him inside, backed him into the corner and continued attacking him. I removed Romeo right then, and put him in my son's play yard while I built him a new home in my shed. I thought he was going to be ok, due to quickly pairing up with my 2 barred rock hens. They took right to him. However, I know know why, it's because the 3 of them are at the VERY BOTTOM of the pecking order. So, before I went to bed last night, I put one of the barred rock hens into the shed with him, for companionship And warmth, as I live in Ohio and it's already dropping to the 30's at night. I just went out and checked on the flock, all is well. Thanks for the great advice!
 
Silkiesarefluffydinos said:
When I get new birds, I usually leave them in the coops for 2-3 days, but if I get a larger amount of birds, I keep them in for 5-6 days. If they seem to be adjusting well, you can let them out on day 3, but it if there are any problems with roosting, you should leave them in another day or two.


I hope this helps!!! Welcome to BYC:woot:wee:welcome:welcome
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Hi, yes thanks for the info. I let them out yesterday for the first time and it went great! They were digging, scratching, clucking, and crowing lol everyone seems to be happy and content in their new home!
 

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