Housing Silkie's with EE's? Can it be done?

[Shellyb]

Hubby doesn't want another coop, but I really want these two breeds. Can they live in harmony? Thanks,

 

[swordgeek]

I have one silkie pullet in with 3 EE (and an assortment of other breeds), and they're just fine together. I was pretty worried because the silkie - who is about 2 months older than the EEs - is now smaller than the younger pullets. But ever since she got here, she bosses the younger ones around like she owns the place. She still gets put in her place by the flock that existed before they all joined us, but still... cute to see the little ball of fluff chasing off the big girls.

 

[boogiedog]

Definitely! I have 29 ladies, 13 breeds. Included are 3 silkies, 3 EEs, 2 bantam cochins, 3 giant cochins, BRs, BOs, Australorp, Delaware, Brahmas, etc...all sizes and colors of chickens you can imagine. I have not had any issues with integration - but I made sure the new chickens a bit older (about 8-9 weeks), introduced/put the newbies in the coop at night (and in groups - never put just one newbie in alone) and planned to spend some time keeping an eye on the integration/interaction the next day. No problems!

 

[littlethorn]

I don't see why not. I have a silkie in with several other breeds and have never had a problem.

 

[LyonFuzz]

Mine all live together peacefully. What type of problem were you envisioning?

 

[Muggsmagee]

I have 9 silkies in with all of my flock. The Welsummer roo is smitten with the white ones, but other than chicken love, they are part of the flock and are not picked on. I noticed my Salmon Faverolles girls get picked on the most. Do you think because they are smaller they won't fit in? EE's are all different, but my Ameraucanas are sweet to the silkies and the other breeds.

 

[Shellyb]

Thank you for yours posts. It's definitely helpful. I was just thinking that the silkie's might be at a disadvantage with their crests and not being able to see so well. Also, I've never had either breed and not sure of their personality yet. Didn't know if EE's were a bossy type of chicken or laid back. I have a 6X6 coop, 6ft tall, I want the EE's for the eggs, I know the silkie's aren't really kept for their eggs(more of pets) so I'm trying to figure out how many LF's I can have and how many silkie's. I don't want to overcrowd for sure as we do have some tough winters. Thank you all.