Can i add hens??

[Flowerpott]

Back in April i got two silkie chicks about 6 weeks old. The person i got them from was unsure if the sex (as is almost everyone with a silkie chick) so about a 2 months ago i realized it is indeed BOTH of them crowing out there all day long
But i really want at least 1 hen. Now i know it wouldn't be fair to get if she was the only one... But i also cannot accommodate more then 4 birds altogether. Does a rooster need to go?

 

[BuffOrpington567]

Back in April i got two silkie chicks about 6 weeks old. The person i got them from was unsure if the sex (as is almost everyone with a silkie chick) so about a 2 months ago i realized it is indeed BOTH of them crowing out there all day long
But i really want at least 1 hen. Now i know it wouldn't be fair to get if she was the only one... But i also cannot accommodate more then 4 birds altogether. Does a rooster need to go?

It would be better to get rid of the rooster since he s are more valuable since they lay eggs

 

[Flowerpott]

I am pretty attached to both roo and paul. So deciding which to rid of is hard. Paul is head cock. But roo is also recovering from a dog attack (hes already growing back feathers and is all healed). Im also so afraid of getting more silkies and ending up with more boys....

 

[grayjay11o]

You should probably get rid of one of them, if not both since you should have 5-10 hens per rooster. Then again silkies are pretty calm so you might be okay.

 

[Flowerpott]

And they are pretty calm. They wrestle every now and then. But i figure its to be expected considering they are only about 6 months old and they are the only two out there.

 

[Mrs. K]

In a very small set up such as 4 head, I would recommend getting rid of both roosters. An all hen flock is much nicer the first year. And in a year adding a rooster to hens is easy, where as adding strange hens to these two boys and your attitude and behavior of both roosters is going to change big time, and probably not for the good.

I think roosters take a bit of experience. Maybe where you got them will take them back and change them for some for sure hens.

Mrs K

 

[Flowerpott]

That is really good advice. I've grown very attached to them.. They have little personalities and they follow me around and let me snuggle. I'm considering just keeping them both and just being the girl with roosters. But I'm also afraid that their little scuffles will turn into real fights eventually. They are only about 6 months old.

 

[Mrs. K]

If you add a hen, or hens it is apt to become aggressive, as they try to get the mating rights. Two roosters will gang a hen, wear her out. Very hard.

Trust me, you will get attached to the hens too. And if they took them back, they will probably just put them in the flock, but don't ask questions. They will be their birds, and you will have some new ones to play with.

Mrs K

 

[BaaKaaawk]

Sounds like you want someone to tell you that you can keep both the roos... well, you can! BUT, it will be a disaster for any poor hen you add to that hot mess. You either need to just keep both the boys, or let one go and get some hens. Sorry.