Giving my 6 week old chick friends

[Memento Rose]

So, I have a single, 6 week old Vorwerk chick who was the runt and has a bit of a damaged eye. Shes a little small for her age, and she desperately needs friends.

I was wondering if I could maybe take this opportunity to get a couple of 12 week old silkies as her friends and then start to raise and eventually integrate with my flock.

Would the silkies need to be older? Would 3 or 4 work? Could I actually get her an adult silkie hen fren' or 2?

I know this idea is possible, Im just unsure on which dynamics I should follow.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Younger birds would be better. Around the same age. 3 or 4 would work well.

 

[BoundlessLove]

I agree with @oldhenlikesdogs.
Close to same age.
If not exactly same age, I’d go with a little bit younger not older.
Wishing you well with finding your chick some friends.

 

[Memento Rose]

Younger birds would be better. Around the same age. 3 or 4 would work well.

Even if they are silkies and smaller?

 

[Memento Rose]

I agree with @oldhenlikesdogs.
Close to same age.
If not exactly same age, I’d go with a little bit younger not older.
Wishing you well with finding your chick some friends.

Thank you! Ill pose the same question, though. Even if they are silkies and smaller?

 

[BoundlessLove]

You may have to use the “see but don’t touch” method with you supervising daily together time for a little while.
What is your coop and run setup? How much space do have per bird?
I don’t see it would be a problem to put silkies with her. Even if they are smaller.
I have two silkies in with five speckled sussex. They have been together since they were 1 and 3 weeks old. The silkies were the 1 week olds. We put them together and they all got along great with no problems.
Not saying this will happen with yours, but hoping for the best.

 

[Memento Rose]

You may have to use the “see but don’t touch” method with you supervising daily together time for a little while.
What is your coop and run setup? How much space do have per bird?
I don’t see it would be a problem to put silkies with her. Even if they are smaller.
I have two silkies in with five speckled sussex. They have been together since they were 1 and 3 weeks old. The silkies were the 1 week olds. We put them together and they all got along great with no problems.
Not saying this will happen with yours, but hoping for the best.

Right now I have her inside so shes not the only one in the "introduction" coop/run, but that area easily holds 4 large breed adults. I just use it for my introduction area since I have the space.

Thank you so much for the info!

 

[BoundlessLove]

You are welcome. Not sure if I was able to help much.
We’ve only added silkie chicks to older chicks just the one time, so I don’t have much experience.
Please keep us posted on how it works out.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Thank you! Ill pose the same question, though. Even if they are silkies and smaller?

Yes. They are more behaviorally compatible. Old chicks may bully, too young the same thing. At 6 weeks chicks are establishing a pecking order, but it isn't set yet. Since you only have one Vorek, and it's undersized it should be fine. Hopefully you aren't getting show quality silkies. Those can't see well. Hatchery quality seem to do better in a mixed flock, but you still need to watch for any bullying.