Can I mix Silkies and Standards

[jenichick]

I ordered the standard run special assortment from MM and now they are 14 weeks old. I really want Silkies and I have learned they are bantams, and was wondering if I order a few girls can I put them with the 12 standards (which is all I'll have left by then). I thought I would raise them in the shop until they were 8 weeks old then put them in the run with the others. Has anyone done this successfully?

 

[chicknmania]

Yes! Our young White Leghorn roo bonded with both our Silkie pullets, and, eventually, our other Standards did, too. Unfortunately, one Silkie had a sad ending...you can read about it in Memorials, if you want. My heart is broken.

 

[peepkeeper]

Silkies don't know they're supposed to be bantams, mine run up to my Orpingtons and give them the "What?? Bring it!" look in the eye.

Be sure to introduce them gradually, behind a wire divider, for a while so that they can work out most of their differences without anyone getting hurt. They should be fine.

 

[usalbrechts]

I was going to post about the same question......would it work if I waited until the spring to introduce a few silkies to my, by then, year old chickens???? I have 2 leghorns, 4 barred rocks, 3 rhode island reds and 3 easter eggers

 

[PurpleChicken]

My 3 silkie bantams do well with my 14 standards. They are all
around 15 weeks old and have grown up together. It's sorta funny
but the silkies hang out with my leghorn roo like they were his pets.

One of the silkies is a roo but he doesn't really act like it. He's probably
just too young. The standards(11 hens, 3 roos) are all trying to establish
the pecking order and frequently joust. The silkies just ignore it. The
leghorn roo is starting to hop on the standards and pluck a feather or
two(rooster dance) but he doesn't bother the silkies.

The silkies are kinda dumb and whiny compared to the standards. You
will also have to keep the feathers around their eyes trimmed so they
can see. If a predator attacked my silkies would be lunch.

If your gonna do it then order them NOW. Let them grow together and
like Peepkeeper said, they will think they are standards.

I should also mention the silkies are friendly because they tend to get
more attention than the standards and are MUCH easier to catch.
They are cute little peepers.

 

[jenichick]

Thank you so much for your replies. I'm so excited now to get an order in the fall. I'm thinking of ordering from Ideal since there's no minimum. I would love to get them now, but we're still culling our roos and it's so hot outside. I'll probably wait til the weather cools just a little. Yeah! I can't wait!!!!

 

[usalbrechts]

Another thought....If I get a few silkies and one is a roo, will he dominate the whole flock of 12 standard hens, or only the other silkies......