Adding Silkies...yes or no?

[Sammy1122]

Depends on the flock, space and individuals.I r purchased one silkie bantam a few months ago along with 6 other chicks and my entire flock of about 20 don’t Ever pick on her.The occasion peck but it isn’t constant, they pick on the other Large fowl more then her, and this bird is the lowest in order.Silkies are a laid back breed and lietarlly this bird minds it’s business.Unlike the other birds who are in the middle of all the feed, in my face, gathered around in groups, doesn’t act funny or make herself the odd bird out, etc etc. She just sits back and stays in her lane, so that could be why she doesn’t get Picked at.

 

[MykaMom]

I have a mixed flock including silkies. They all do fine. They are just chickens and it seems like you have plenty of space and experience to move things around if you need to if integration issues arise.

Here in the UK, we have Large Fowl light breed silkies and bantam silkies, so 2 different size standards. What do the hatcheries supply? Do you just have one size standard? Since both are smaller than birds like cochins and brahma then I'd just ensure they weren't overmated by large roosters.

But I'm sure you won't have problems. They need a dry place if it rains is all. And feathered feet don't like mud. You probably have factored this in already.

Get them!!

We figured out last year that Hearty is quite particular about those crazy feet of his. I hadn't realized how different a Silkie's toes are from the rest. I actually have to trim his, the nails get quite long!

We added some birch perching logs of different sizes just for foot exercise. I have quite a few apple branches, I'm building a pyramid he can choose to climb on or not. Additionally, there's a nice bench in the run. I'm adding a new lower swinging perch as well. The run is attached to an old shed turned onto a coop. He can come and go as he pleases and seems quite content. Being such a small fellow under all that silk, he still seems to be the boss. My other roo is a true banty and about half the size of Hearty. Hearty barely tops the scale at 4 pounds.

 

[Buckeye Amy]

I'm sorry, was there a question? I am blinded by your dazzling teeth!

 

[LadiesAndJane]

I have a mixed flock including four silkies and they all get along just fine. Most of them were raised together since they were hatched. The silkies are somewhere in the middle of the pecking order above the Polish! Only concern I can raise as other posters have noted is that silkies don’t do well free ranging. They cannot fly because of their feather structure at least not very far, they cannot see well because of their huge crests and are generally not very predator savvy. They’re smaller size also makes them a target for predators such as hawks.