Creating my flock

[Sirens04]

I have a mixed flock. Brahma, Barred Rock, Orpington and a Silkie (who turned out to be a Roo). They all get along and have had no major scuffles. My Brahma was always bigger then all the rest and was super gentle with all the others. She is also a good consistent layer. I have heard the same thing about production reds being aggressive so I stayed away from them.

 

[Folly's place]

Salmon Favorelles are beautiful and tend to be very sweet, non-aggressive birds. They can be picked on in a mixed flock, and might be a very good choice with your Silkies.
Mary

 

[heathercara]

I should add:

I am in CA, too. Meyer’s has sent as few as three chicks to me later in the spring. They add a heat pack. My Pet Chicken also sends smaller orders later in the spring.

Thanks! I do worry about getting roosters because I don't want them in bad hands, so that is the only reason I'd pay so much. I just don't know what to do with the boys, and I can't bear the thought of them not having a nice life

 

[Animals45]

Good luck!

 

[heathercara]

I should add:

I am in CA, too. Meyer’s has sent as few as three chicks to me later in the spring. They add a heat pack. My Pet Chicken also sends smaller orders later in the spring.

Strange question, maybe - I was worried that shipping would be too stressful for them. How do they do with shipping?

 

[Stephine]

Thanks! I do worry about getting roosters because I don't want them in bad hands, so that is the only reason I'd pay so much. I just don't know what to do with the boys, and I can't bear the thought of them not having a nice life

You can order females. I think their rate of getting it right is 9 out of 10 - that’s pretty good. Out of 18 chicks ordered I have only gotten one oops roo so far. I know the lifestock thing is hard on the heart, but a rooster chick sent to you by mistake already is luckier than one that was not sent. Then, if you raise it until it crows, it will have had a so much better life than all the ones the hatchery has discarded. Then, you can give it away and it will either a) feed a person or family (definitely after having had a much much better life than the ones you buy at the market!) or it’ll b) live a nice chicken life on someones farm.
I had one nasty roo I had ordered - he went to a feed store at about 8 months old to be resold and likely went into a pot from there, but I am not sure. Then I had my oops roo, he was nice to people and went to a lady with a flock of free ranging hens, to do what roosters do best. Both were so much better off then the ones that remained at the hatchery. So - that’s a different way to think about it!

 

[Stephine]

Strange question, maybe - I was worried that shipping would be too stressful for them. How do they do with shipping?

They do fine! Actually, if you buy from a feed store, those chicks have been shipped there first, too. They are often kept in less than ideal conditions and then have to make another trip to your home... Buying chicks directly from a local breeder is probably easiest on the chicks, but those are harder to find and then tricky to get the breeds you want close enough in age. I really like getting chicks from a hatchery.

 

[heathercara]

You can order females. I think their rate of getting it right is 9 out of 10 - that’s pretty good. Out of 18 chicks ordered I have only gotten one oops roo so far. I know the lifestock thing is hard on the heart, but a rooster chick sent to you by mistake already is luckier than one that was not sent. Then, if you raise it until it crows, it will have had a so much better life than all the ones the hatchery has discarded. Then, you can give it away and it will either a) feed a person or family (definitely after having had a much much better life than the ones you buy at the market!) or it’ll b) live a nice chicken life on someones farm.
I had one nasty roo I had ordered - he went to a feed store at about 8 months old to be resold and likely went into a pot from there, but I am not sure. Then I had my oops roo, he was nice to people and went to a lady with a flock of free ranging hens, to do what roosters do best. Both were so much better off then the ones that remained at the hatchery. So - that’s a different way to think about it!

Oh, that really helps! I want to be a responsible chicken owner and provide them with a good life. Hopefully just girls!!! My fear is that all my silkies will be roosters because they're who I want the most!

 

[Isilvertoes]

I have been told (and hopefully it's true!) that you can mix Silkies and other chicks as long as they are within two weeks of each other. I would happily have an entire flock of those little fluffs, but my BF wants eggs Also, I was only looking at places in California because it seems kind of dangerous to ship them far, but is that a valid concern? We are thinking of getting 3 silkies and a black polish (I love the funny-looking littles) and 1 wyandotte, 1 RIR, 1 Delaware, and 1 Ameraucana.

I have a silkie and ayam cemani and both were delivered at the same time. Both are now 4 weeks old and are always play fighting; which I think is establishing the pecking order.