Coops for silkies and polish bantams

[Debbiesue]

Hi

I am planning to increase my bantam flock. I currently have four pekin, two of which are cockerels, and two Welsummer bantams. I would like to introduce some silkie and polish bantam hens. However before doing so I just wanted to check if they were ok to mix.

I know they need to be kept dry and should have feeders and drinkers designed to stop them getting wet and messy but do they also need a particular coop set- up or are they ok with perches?

Any advice would be welcomed as I want to make sure they are happy and healthy.

Thank you

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

My Silkies and (1) Polish have a roost that's about 18" off the floor. Silkies can't fly bc of their shredded feathers, so I've also provided them with a step to get up there. They also struggle with steep ramps/high coops so one lower to the ground would probably be better. My coop sits almost 6 ft high, and I have to put my Silkies in every night bc they wont do it on their own :/
Other than that, I just treat them like any other chicken. They should be fine to mix, just keep an eye on the introduction. Silkies, and especially Polish, have vaulted skulls (brain protrudes thru a soft spot in the skull causing a large bump where the crest would be). A well aimed peck at a vaulted skull can cause neurological problems or even death. An enclosed run is a good idea as well, they don't see well. Good luck!

 

[Debbiesue]

Our coop is low to the ground so they shouldn't have a problem. Thanks for the advice about watching them closely as I didn't know about their heads.

We went to look at some yesterday and came back with a 9 month old frizzle hen, a 10 month old silver Wyandotte and 7 polish chicks who range from 5 to 8 weeks old. They were so cute we couldn't leave any behind. We now have to hope they are all hens!

Any idea when it will be possible to sex them?