Do you show? And let them free range? and breed? and mix your flock?

[destiny_56085]

I have 9 huge pens for the breeders. Smallest is 10x10' and largest ones are 10x30'. I have 2 4x8' and 1 8x8' brooder. All are kept on deep sawdust. I also have 2 rows of hanging wire rabbits cages for quarantine and separating cockerels off. Sexes are separated unless during breeding season. All cockerels are pulled from growout pens as soon as sex is known. Keep a high enough percent protein and same sexes together and you won't have to worry about feather pulling. Amy

 

[Celtic Hill]

You could put them all together as long as they dont pull feathers and stuff. Feather legged breeds do well on grass. If your trying to breed then you have to keep them in pens to insure you won't get xbreeding. Silkies might have it tough being the "Odd balls out" so even if you weren't going to show them i would worry they would get pecked on. I have a show coop which is about 10x10, and i bed it up real good it has lots of natural light (clear/frosted corrugated roofing) with vents and windows, that can be closed for the winter.