Help! Mixing breeds in a backyard flock- new chicken owner

[MaebleMarshall]

I currently have 2 silkie chicks in an incubator that are about 5 weeks old. I am thinking about bringing home a couple of Easter Eggers that are 7 weeks and coop ready. Will the silkies be okay with the Easter Eggers once they are coop ready??

 

[orloffer]

I *might* be worried about the EE's pecking the Silkies, especially since they will be 2 weeks older than them, but I am not sure. And also, I would quarantine the EE's for a bit if I were you, to make sure no diseases are introduced to the original birds.

 

[sourland]

Raised together, silkies generally do well in mixed flocks. Sometimes , due to their different look, problems arise when introducing them to established flocks. Monitor closely.

 

[Pghelp]

Easter Eggers are usually not terribly aggressive although they will probably have to let the little ones know who's boss. Definitely isolate and do the see/don't touch so they can get used to one another, and then monitor when they all get together.

 

[Mrs. K]

If this is your first group of chickens, I would not try it. It can be done, but sometimes it is a real wreck. Do you have two set ups if it doesn't work? Could you sell one group if it doesn't work?

Wishing they will all get along, seldom works.

Mrs K

 

[aart]

I currently have 2 silkie chicks in an incubator that are about 5 weeks old. I am thinking about bringing home a couple of Easter Eggers that are 7 weeks and coop ready. Will the silkies be okay with the Easter Eggers once they are coop ready??

Your silkies should be coop ready at 5 weeks....depending on how you've managed their heat in the brooder(not incubator, right?).
I'd put the silkies in the coop first so they have territorial advantage.
They might all get along together fine....but have a Plan B ready.

Here's some tips about.....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/