compatible breeds?

[Lunafarmchickens]

Hi.

I have one Silkie hen, and one Silkie mix rooster. The hen hatched 6 chicks in August, but they were all boys! The Silkie mix rooster that is currently with her is her son, but I sent one of her other sons away to the big flock, 3 passed away from merecks dz. And also my only other silkie, one of her sons is trying to survive it. In the spring I will be getting chicks vaccinated for merecks dz, I know that doesnt prevent it, but I know that they can have an immunity to it. I need more hens for my egg business, and I also need more hens for my Silkie mix roo so he doesnt over mate the only hen. The problem is all full size hens I've ever owned try to kill the poor silkies! So along with my layers I would like to get some bantam sized, or very docile hens. I heard that silkies are sensitive to merecks so I decided against getting more of them. So does anyone know of any hardy bantam, or docile breeds?
I want the Silkie hen to be in charge so there is no chance of bullying, because she has had enough of that in her life.
Thanks for reading!

 

[MillersFarm]

If you want eggs for your egg business you will want to get some standard sized chickens. Most people want large eggs.. Not bantam sized eggs. I'd suggest getting friendly breeds for your rooster like Brahmas or Sussexes or Orpingtons and introduce them to your silkie rooster when they're still young so they learn that he's the boss and that they don't pick on him.

 

[Lunafarmchickens]

If you want eggs for your egg business you will want to get some standard sized chickens. Most people want large eggs.. Not bantam sized eggs. I'd suggest getting friendly breeds for your rooster like Brahmas or Sussexes or Orpingtons and introduce them to your silkie rooster when they're still young so they learn that he's the boss and that they don't pick on him.

Sorry, I guess my post was a bit unclear. My laying hens and my silkies are in different flocks, in different pens. I don't use Silkie eggs for selling, but I do eat them myself. I would like some laying hens, AND some bantams hens.

 

[Rye]

Are you sure it was Mareks that they died from?

Egg business get some sexlinks or leghorns. Keep your silkies separated if there is a problem.

 

[Lunafarmchickens]

Are you sure it was Mareks that they died from?

Egg business get some sexlinks or leghorns. Keep your silkies separated if there is a problem.

Like 90 percent sure it was merecks. And yes the silkies are if different pens now, but they get picked on when they free roam. The silkies are free roam only, but the big hens are every other day. I just want some bantams so my silkie hen doesn't get over mated because it's just her and the silkie rooster together.

 

[Rye]

Get a few more silkie hens for your hen. They'll bond better than random bantams. Let the silkie rooster run with the other flock or eat him. If you want silkie chicks, pen the silkies together for a couple weeks then put the male back with the other flock. There is no need to keep your male and female silkies together.

 

[Lunafarmchickens]

Get a few more silkie hens for your hen. They'll bond better than random bantams. Let the silkie rooster run with the other flock or eat him. If you want silkie chicks, pen the silkies together for a couple weeks then put the male back with the other flock. There is no need to keep your male and female silkies together.

Ok thx for the info!

 

[MillersFarm]

Sorry, I guess my post was a bit unclear. My laying hens and my silkies are in different flocks, in different pens. I don't use Silkie eggs for selling, but I do eat them myself. I would like some laying hens, AND some bantams hens.

Ah i see, I miss understood. If so I would suggest the brahma bantam if you want a cold-hardy bantam breed, Although they are very pricey Mypetchicken sell sexed Buff brahma bantams. Some other cold-hardy bantam breeds they sell are barred plymouth rock bantams, Easter egger bantams (Which i personally love) And welsummer bantams.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Ah i see, I miss understood. If so I would suggest the brahma bantam if you want a cold-hardy bantam breed, Although they are very pricey Mypetchicken sell sexed Buff brahma bantams. Some other cold-hardy bantam breeds they sell are barred plymouth rock bantams, Easter egger bantams (Which i personally love) And welsummer bantams.

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