Greetings from New York!

[Mama Poule]

Hello, I live out on eastern Long Island and just got eight chicks: 4 Easter eggers, 2 silkies, and 2 light brown leghorns. I’m new to raising chickens.
At 3.5 weeks old, the silkies are a week younger than the others and are much smaller. I got them three days later than the other as well. I put them all in the brooder together, but one of the leghorns is a relentless bully towards one of the silkies (the blue silkie). The little silkie basically hides behind the feeder all the time.
Should I take the silkies out and put them in a separate brooder? The other silkie seems to be holding her own. The two of them huddle together to sleep while the others stay on the other end of the brooder.
The silkies are unsexed. I can’t wait to find out if they are pullets or roosters. Any guesses?

 

[drumstick diva]

Silkies (and Polish) are very difficult to sex before 4-5 mos of age, and sometimes not till they crow or lay eggs.

 

[CluckerFamily]

Welcome to BYC!!

 

[janiedoe]

Welcome to BYC!
I've never had silkies, but I know that they are delicate because of their vaulted skull. You could try sectioning the brooder so that they can see but not touch the others. That may help them to get used to each other, however the silkies will always be vulnerable. If two of your silkies turn out to be males, you'll be left with one lonely female. In any case I would fear that the silkie might be killed by the bully, so I'd remove the silkies or rehome the leghorn.
Best of luck.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC. Good advice above. Here are some helpful links:

• Great go-to resource - Articles
• Space requirements
• “How to...” guides
• Raising Baby Chicks
• Find other BYC members nearby using the links in my signature, below (turn your phone to landscape to see them).

Best wishes

Pork Pie

 

[DucksAreBest]

Hello, welcome to BackYard Chickens! Thank you for joining our community.

 

[chrissynemetz]

Hi and welcome to BYC! How big is your brooder?

 

[416bigbore]

Hello and welcome to BYC, You found an Awesome poultry Forum to be a part of with many great knowledgeable members who are more then willing to jump in and help you with any questions you may have.

 

[swampfox440]

Welcome to BYC ! How cute they are !

 

[Mama Poule]

Hi and welcome to BYC! How big is your brooder?

Hi- thanks! The brooder is 2’ x 5’. It’s our old Christmas Tree box.