adding 4 silkies

[mosse71]

hey folks! i have a diverse flock of 27 birds. 4 mallards, 2 african geese and the rest are mostly laying hens and a few roosters. I've never owned silkies but I've read they can get overly picked on. im growing them out in a separate pen untill they're nearly full size. these are the wifes birds . do i have to segergate them for awhile in the pen with the others before putting them directly in with the others? or is there enough other birds to not have to worry about it? i have 3 bantams in there and they hold their own to the bigger birds. they have a 8' by 10ft. coop w/ a 10' by 30' run.

 

[Mrs. K]

Maybe, you sound pretty much max to capacity, if bad behavior starts, I would expect it to start with the new combers, and the silkies.

For me, if you get serious problems from the get go, I would think strongly of a second, separate permanent set up. From what I have read, silkies are very often victims in a full size flock. One always feels sorry for the victims, but I think constant turmoil of ruthless attacking is very upsetting to the rest of the flock too. And to your wife.

Start building is what I think.

Mrs.K

 

[EggSighted4Life]

You have all those birds in an 8x10 + 10x30...

I would give the Silkies their own enclosure and let the wife enjoy them verses any worry... to me you are over populated already. It's just a matter of time before holy havoc breaks loose.

No, there is never enough other birds to not worry about it... unless the other birds are a bunch all being added newly to spread the pecking of the already established flock... crap rolls down hill and the new additions will be at the bottom.

Are your Silkies somehow sexed... or will you be dealing with cockerels there to?

Please note... I breed and raise Silkies. I kept them with my large fowl flock up to 82 birds including ducks and many breeds of chicken. BUT they had a 12x12 coop not shared with the ducks and free range on an acre. It's true they can hold their own... but once mating starts, being in with large fowl rooster or duck could be a huge problem. I separated Silkies when I added a large fowl rooster. Both are willing to do what comes naturally... but I'm not willing to risk accidental injury.

And I had a production red pullet who though she could mount the Silkies... She has a new home as I allow NO room for bullies.

Hope this is helpful... and congrats on your Silkie babe's.

 

[mosse71]

thanks for the advice! I've raised just about every fowl and poultry in my 47 yrs. and i rarely have reservations but to er on the side of caution, ill give the silkies their own home. picked up a kids playhouse with a shingled roof 74'' by 74'' for $150. just needs paint , a door and some plexiglass over the windows. bingo ! a silkie mansion! thanks folks!