Broody Silkie with adopted chicks 😍

[Baldwinette]

Hi everyone,
Just wanted to share that my notoriously broody silkie Rockie has been doing an excellent job raising two chicks I gave her as day olds. We recently lost 2 hens to predators and were not feeling up to the task of raising chicks inside this late in the year. Rockie has taken this chore off our hands and she (and we!) couldn’t be happier!
One question I have: Rockie is at the bottom of the pecking order within our flock and I’m concerned about the rest of the ladies bullying her and the babies, once they go outside. They’re in a separate coop right now. Any advice?
Thank you so much!

 

[sourland]

Are the rest of your flock large fowl or silkies?

 

[Baldwinette]

Are the rest of your flock large fowl or silkies?

They are regular size chickens. They always sleep in separate coops, but free range together during the day. So far it hasn’t been a problem, but she definitely knows to stay out of the big girls‘ way…

 

[sourland]

If they sleep in separate coops, and given enough space she will keep them away from trouble.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I’m concerned about the rest of the ladies bullying her and the babies, once they go outside. They’re in a separate coop right now. Any advice?

Worry is interest paid before it is due. You don't know if it will be a problem or not but you are paralyzed because it might be. Try it when you can observe and see what happens. With them sleeping in different areas and having all that room when free ranging I would not expect problems but you really don't know until you try.

 

[Baldwinette]

Thanks to everyone who responded. I opened their coop to let them free range a few days ago for the first time, and they’ve integrated beautifully