Color discrimination?

[VCBirdmom]

Almost all of my 6 week old Silkie chicks are putting themselves in the roost at night now. The two holdouts are the large white chick and one of his buff bffs. The other buff bff went in voluntarily last night. I'm beginning to wonder if Whitie is afraid to get in the smaller coop with the rest of the flock. I'm aware that there seems to be a discrimination against white animals by others of their kind; at least in horses. Could that be what is at play here?
Also going to change up the roosts, as that might also be an issue. Whitie (he's unnamed, as yet. Might be a roo) is THE largest chick of the 8, so you'd think he wouldn't be afraid, but I just dunno.
Any insights, or others with single-white-bird issues? Thanks!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

How big is your coop? I don't think it has anything to do with color, more than likely it's personality. The white is probably more meek. Do any have vaulted skulls? Eyes getting covered by feathers?

In general many chicks won't go in without encouragement at that age, so I'd be proud of those that do.

 

[VCBirdmom]

How big is your coop? I don't think it has anything to do with color, more than likely it's personality. The white is probably more meek. Do any have vaulted skulls? Eyes getting covered by feathers?

In general many chicks won't go in without encouragement at that age, so I'd be proud of those that do.

Thanks for responding. I am proud of those who take themselves in at night. The hint from BYC about turning on a light in the coop really helped, imo. So far, I can see everybirdy's eyes, and topknots and leg feathers are coming in at various rates. I have to admit that I am surprised by what difference in sizes the chicks are. In theory, they are all exactly the same age.

 

[dunnmom]

I could swear my SLWs were breedist. I don't have them anymore because they were unfriendly to us and refused to mix with the Buff Orps I have.

 

[VCBirdmom]

At least one of the buff Silkie chicks has the walnut shaped "growth" above his beak. This IS a sign he's a rooster, am I right? Would I be able to keep more than 1 rooster in a small coop/run with 7 other Silkies? Bought these as "straight run," so I'll likely have roos, and I do not want to watch any in-fighting in the flock.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

All will develop combs, rooster generally develop them earlier and they are larger.

 

[VCBirdmom]

All will develop combs, rooster generally develop them earlier and they are larger.

Good to know about/be reminded about. I'll stop fussing and just wait and see about who turns into roosters. I got some leg bands locally; I need to be able to ID the four buff-colored chicks. It's like an ongoing puzzle, with new issues coming up that need to be solved. More fun than video games! Thanks for your response.