Can we add two Silkie chicks to two larger breed chicks that we have had for a few days?

[Coop's Coop]

I would go with silkies a bit older then your existing chicks. Not more than a week older though.

I have both Brahma and Speckled Sussex. They are generally very docile breeds.

I was hoping to hear slightly older Silkies would work. They are young but both of our current chicks are very sweet, and the Speckled Sussex is especially loving and interested in her people. She cries when we leave the room after we have been holding her.

 

[Coop's Coop]

I have four silkies that run with my flock of hens and rooster. I would say if they grow up together it would be fine. But don't wait to long as it don't take pullets long to establish their flock. I have 2 month old pullets that will bully newbies. I did have one silkie that was cocky and would intigate with girls obviously bigger than her and i gave her to a silkie farmer for her own good

Thanks for the tips. Maybe it's worth a shot if we get Solkies slightly older than our current chicks.

 

[Coop's Coop]

Speckled Sussex are quite friendly. Even with flighty breeds, if you persist with handling them they most likely will become tamer. Sussex are quite docile in my opinion. Silkies can do well in a flock if they've been raised together, otherwise if you throw them in fully grown they can look 'different' to the other hens and that starts a cycle of bullying, but bullying can happen to any hen, weird looking or not.

Oh boy! I'm really excited for you! I hope you make a good decision and don't have to add more expenses! I'm truly not sure. Good luck! Me personally, I wouldn't keep a speckled sussex with silkies. Silkies are so calm and affectionate that they're likely to not be violent ever. I love them! Sorry I can't help.

I hope you are right and thanks! Really want those Silkies! They are too cute!

 

[Dee Dee N Desiree]

Oh boy! I'm really excited for you! I hope you make a good decision and don't have to add more expenses! I'm truly not sure. Good luck! Me personally, I wouldn't keep a speckled sussex with silkies. Silkies are so calm and affectionate that they're likely to not be violent ever. I love them! Sorry I can't help.

I have a Silkie and she was introduced a week after my Well Summers and Buff Orpington. Mine did fine but I did watch to be sure. She is the smallest of my 8. The bigger ones can push her aside sometimes, but they don't peck at her or harm her. I'm a newby too, but thought I'd share. I don't know about the breeds you have. I hope all works out for you!

 

[TattooedChicks]

I’ve only introduced silkies as young birds with other young birds of similar age and size. A few days older will be to their advantage, as they have a tendency to be bullied. As for getting pullets, that will be very difficult to find/guarantee. Many people struggle to sex their silkies until they crow or lay. You might be better off waiting to get 6 month old birds if you can’t risk having roosters, otherwise make a backup plan for any males you might end up with.

 

[Coop's Coop]

I’ve only introduced silkies as young birds with other young birds of similar age and size. A few days older will be to their advantage, as they have a tendency to be bullied. As for getting pullets, that will be very difficult to find/guarantee. Many people struggle to sex their silkies until they crow or lay. You might be better off waiting to get 6 month old birds if you can’t risk having roosters, otherwise make a backup plan for any males you might end up with.

Thanks for the advice! I'm thinking that we should get a DNA tested set of Silkie female chicks that are a bit older than our chicks based on most of your responses. Pricey to have that sex guarantee though. Ouch.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Bigger breed of chickens can bully silkies so I don’t know. Maybe introduce them and watch them for a while

I am unconcerned with how your two present chicks will react to a couple of silkies, but I am concerned with the future of this combination. The reason is because Chickens first and foremost are chickens, and the strong or biggest chickens will lord it over the weak.

 

[Diannastarr]

i found this out for my self before buying silkies and wanted to give you a heads up , so i would if it were me look at this site first Vaulted Skulls In Silkies , it may not be wise to put them in with other larger breds, i was going to buy a few silkies my self before i found this out on line, i would still buy them , they are to cute to resist but i would never put them at risk and would keep them separate..! from other larger birds ,just incase the worst could happen ,

 

[SeaPolka]

I keep a Silkie quad with a polish, a TNN, a frizzle TNN, Pekins and a duck. They rule the roost, they all look different which is why I guess no bullying happens in my flocks. Lots of people keep Silkies with no trouble, others hold stories of silkies being pecked to death. It completely depends on when/how you introduce them and the personalities of the other bird. Pretty sure there'll be lots of threads on how to introduce properly. Silkies do come in LF as well as bantam, so you're maybe best looking for them, I'm in the UK and LF silkies are usually cheaper too. I hope all goes well

 

[Coop's Coop]

I am unconcerned with how your two present chicks will react to a couple of silkies, but I am concerned with the future of this combination. The reason is because Chickens first and foremost are chickens, and the strong or biggest chickens will lord it over the weak.

I'm concerned too. Looks like I'm hearing that some people have problems with mixing them and some don't. I definitely don't want them to get picked on. I wonder if I got a Silkie adult hen if she would raise the chicks...would the larger breeds be less likely to pick on the Silkie if she was in the mom role? Just an idea! Stop me if that's a completely ridiculous thought...noob!