At what age are Silkies usually able to join the flock?

[ronkonkoma]

I have a run with Silkies, looking to hatch some more. Trying to plan my vacations around hatching etc haha.

At what age would you generally say I could add Silkies I've hatched into my older Silkie flock?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I usually integrate chicks at about 6-10 weeks, and they are usually left out with the bigger ones by 12 weeks.

 

[TashaFrancois]

A flock of silkies or a mixed flock?

 

[JedJackson]

I think oldhenlikesdigs has it about right, but it varies. You want them to be big and spry enough to get out of harm's way when they need to. Adding low roosts and stuff they can had behind helps a great deal, and so does keeping the older birds occupied with toys in the run. A cabbage hung from a sting so it reaches just above their heads is a great distraction.

 

[chickens really]

Why not let a Broody Hen hatch them? I'm sure one of your Hens will go Broody..That way it's simple to integrate them in the flock with Momma.

 

[ronkonkoma]

Why not let a Broody Hen hatch them? I'm sure one of your Hens will go Broody..That way it's simple to integrate them in the flock with Momma.

I was going to do this but my daughter is SO into our chickens and her teacher now wants to know if she can hatch a few in her classroom.

 

[ronkonkoma]

A flock of silkies or a mixed flock?

All Silkies in this run.

 

[NNYchick]

I raise my Silkie chicks right in the coop. I put them out after the first week when I know everyone is eating and drinking without issues. I set up a dog play pen with their food, water and mama heating pad. They stay in there watching the flock and after a few days they are coming out interacting with the flock but can get back in between the bars as a safe zone if needed. But every time Since I’ve started doing it this way they are spending the day with the flock by 3 weeks and just go back to eat their crumble and sleep at under mama heating pad. This is my set up.

 

[ronkonkoma]

I raise my Silkie chicks right in the coop. I put them out after the first week when I know everyone is eating and drinking without issues. I set up a dog play pen with their food, water and mama heating pad. They stay in there watching the flock and after a few days they are coming out interacting with the flock but can get back in between the bars as a safe zone if needed. But every time Since I’ve started doing it this way they are spending the day with the flock by 3 weeks and just go back to eat their crumble and sleep at under mama heating pad. This is my set up.
View attachment 1631506

Ok great. If I read this correctly they are not with mom. You section off a portion of the coop for them to stay outside but be protected?

 

[NNYchick]

Yes no broody. Chicks I hatch in the incubator go in this set up, I use mama heating pad for heat (top of picture). This set up allows them to be integrated with the flock, they go between the bars but if need to get away from grumpy grown up they can get in there but my adults can’t. They are usually hanging out with the flock all day by week 3.