Adding a silky?

[missmychicks]

We've had silkies, loved them, both turned out to be roos. We are no planning our new flock, and would love to add a silky, but if we are lucky enough to find a hen, what do you do with their little eggs? Can they integrate into a "full sized" flock of about 6 birds, or will they pick on her if she is the only little? Any advice welcomed!!

 

[Aunt Angus]

We've had silkies, loved them, both turned out to be roos. We are no planning our new flock, and would love to add a silky, but if we are lucky enough to find a hen, what do you do with their little eggs? Can they integrate into a "full sized" flock of about 6 birds, or will they pick on her if she is the only little? Any advice welcomed!!

I have 2 Silkies with my flock with 15 large breeds, and they do fine,but many folks report problems with bullying. I would add 2 if you do decide to go that route. Integrating one bird is difficult, even when they are large breeds. 2 are prolific layers when they aren't broody. We eat their eggs.i also sell them at a lesser price.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Btw - there are hatcheries that sell sexed Silkies.

 

[missmychicks]

I have 2 Silkies with my flock with 15 large breeds, and they do fine,but many folks report problems with bullying. I would add 2 if you do decide to go that route. Integrating one bird is difficult, even when they are large breeds. 2 are prolific layers when they aren't broody. We eat their eggs.i also sell them at a lesser price.

So if I wanted to have silkies and was initially planning on a total flock size of 6 regular sized birds, (accounting for chicken math lol!) would 2 silkies count as 1 "regular" hen?

 

[missmychicks]

Btw - there are hatcheries that sell sexed Silkies.

Oh, wow.... Your "enabler" status is spot on! Googling now!

 

[Aunt Angus]

So if I wanted to have silkies and was initially planning on a total flock size of 6 regular sized birds, (accounting for chicken math lol!) would 2 silkies count as 1 "regular" hen?

Absolutely! And my girls are TINY. Not even 2lbs each.

Oddly, though, my rooster is smaller...

Just be aware that they go broody. A lot.