Adopting two Silkies to add to add to flock of 4

[Meggnar]

hello!

I was contacted by a friend who knew someone who needs to re-home their two silkies. I love silkies and have wanted to adopt some soon. Turns out they hatched the same month (october '17) as my current crew - russian orloff (Polina), buff orphinton (Betty), Barred Rock (Darla) and Easter Egger (Twiggy). From appearance they look like bantams and I have a few questions:

1 - will the fare better being introduced since they are in a pair?
2 - Planning on introducing them on a Friday so I have the weekend to monitor ( I do have a cage to put inside the coop if I am away)
3 - We have pretty high up perchs where the girls roost currently. We also have a smaller perch inside our coop house (we have a house in a coop situation, girls currently roost ourtside house) I dont think they will be able to make high up one. Is it ok if they roost separately? Or should I have my husband lower all perches to accomodate them all? Current owner says they sleep on ground! Is that normal?

Any and all advice appreciated on introducing new members as well as leaning about silkie breed!

 

[Monkeysmom5018]

All my Silkies pig pile together on the ground even though they can climb up to the roosts.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

They will do much better if you introduce them as a pair, but you should first integrate them into your flock with a look no touch method.

 

[snow5164]

You’re not going to quarantine them?Not sure how well you know this person but I bought from a “ breeder” very sick chicks , I was glad I had them a long way from my coop and hens when they started dying ..... she made their food and they were basically dying from starvation and got coccyx(?) she had shavings and didn’t notice the blood

They need at least a week of no touch in the run or coop. Just adding them will not work , silkies are not fighters .

If you see them huddled in the corner , they’re scared . If you see any feather loss remove them , they are delicate. Their heads are not like other chickens , one peck and they can die .

Mine roost 2 feet off the floor on top of a crate with a 1x1 board on the edge .

I love mine and wouldn’t trade them , but mine did not do well with other breeds .

Good luck

 

[Shorty22366]

I have silkies in a mix flock with Polish, Favorellas, Jersey giants, Cochins, Sebright bantams, Dark Brahams and Bantams. They sleep on coop floor while others sleep on roost. They make great moms. Elsa is head hen even though she is one of the smallest everyone moves out of her way when she comes thru.
Good luck with your silkies. They are wonderful, loving babies.