Integrating new chicks with 6 yr old Silkies

[poamomma]

I just joined this forum tonight. So far, I have read so many threads my eyes are tired,and blood-shot, and I am sure this issue is addressed somewhere in this forum, but I cannot find one with circumstances that mirror my own, so at the risk of getting scolded for not reading more, here are my 2 questions. My first question is, we have 3, 6 year old Silkies. They have always been sweet, non-aggressive chickens and I have never had problems with any of them bullying each other or pecking each other, even when the dogs got a hold of one a few weeks back and pulled a bunch of her feathers out, and she had bloody exposed skin. (I was worried from what I had read that the 2 other chickens would peck her, but they didn't). The Silkies were not bought as egg-layers, that is, we knew they would lay eggs, but not many and not large, they were bought as ornamental pet chickens for my daughter. However, I discovered that eggs from our chickens taste much better than store-bought eggs. Our chickens pretty much quit laying eggs last year, although I still find an occasional egg. So I decided that I would like to get a couple of other chickens that are good egg-layers, (thinking RIRs), but if I would need to build a second coop/run, that would not be doable for me as I no longer have a husband to do that sort of thing and I have some health issues that prohibit me from doing it myself. So, it may not even be possible. However if it is possible to put them together what would be advised? I feel like since there are only 3 and they are Silkies, and I only want 2 or 3 more, it may be possible, but how long would I need to keep the chicks separate from the hens, could I ever put them together and when the chicks get bigger than the Silkies, will they then pick on the Silkies?
Second question, I am just not sure I can go through the whole rooster thing again, (we got 9 Silkies to begin with, only 2 were hens and then we bought another hen that was old enough for us to know for sure she was a hen). I have no experience with sex-linked chickens, but have heard that if you buy that kind, you can be assured of hens, is this true, mostly true or only partially true? I would really like some RIRs, but If I could be assured of hens, it might be worth it to get a different kind of chicken. Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[cavemanrich]

First

And now for some answer.
Sexlink chickens are fool proof because hens are different color than roosters. When they are young they are referred to as pullets and cockerels. You also may opt for POL. pullets. which means point of lay. These are older chickens around 5 or 6 months. Give or take, You definitely know the hens and roosters at that time. I know that silkies are tricky in determining sex for quite some time. Other chickens are much easier. If you only need a few, I'm sure you should be able to find hens only. Try your local feed store. Most of them are selling chicks during this time of year. Check CRAG'S LIST FOR INDIVIDUALS AND LOCAL HATCHERIES.
WISHING YOU BEST

 

[aart]

It's 99% with sexlinks....accidents do happen.

Don't need a second coop..... BUT....you will have to house the new birds separately at first, if only separated by wire fencing. And you'll need to make sure you have enough space to house all the birds you plan on having without crowding them as crowding can cause health and behavioral problems.

There are 2 articles in my signature about space and ventilation that will contribute to you blood shot eyes but are excellent information.


and here's some more info:
Here's some notes I've taken on integration that I found to be very helpful.......
......take what applies or might help and ignore the rest.
See if any of them, or the links provided at the bottom, might offer some tips that will assist you in your situation:

Integration of new chickens into flock.

Consider medical quarantine:
BYC Medical Quarantine Article
Poultry Biosecurity
BYC 'medical quarantine' search

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. Integrating new birds of equal size works best.

For smaller chicks I used a large wire dog crate right in the coop for the smallers. I removed the crate door and put up a piece of wire fencing over the opening and bent up one corner just enough for the smallers to fit thru but the biggers could not. Feed and water inside the crate for the smallers. Make sure the smallers know how to get in and out of the crate opening before exposing them to the olders. this worked out great for me, by the time the crate was too small for the them to roost in there(about 3 weeks), they had pretty much integrated themselves to the olders.

If you have too many smallers to fit in a crate you can partition off part of the coop with a wire wall and make the same openings for smallers escape.


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 blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down, 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 and/or up and away from any bully birds.

Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

 

[poamomma]

Thank you both, appreciate the info! I do have the one question remaining about whether or not it is likely that once any "new" chickens are bigger than the Silkies, (which would take very little time if I remember correctly how fast chickens grow), will they be likely to bully or beat up the Silkies? I would think this is a likely scenario, as my Silkies are quite passive and docile and I imagine that would lend itself to getting "beat up". I was hoping that by purchasing baby chicks, I would have less probability of that happening, but we're talking a pretty big difference in size between the 2 breeds once they are full grown. Any ideas on this?

 

[aart]

Thank you both, appreciate the info! I do have the one question remaining about whether or not it is likely that once any "new" chickens are bigger than the Silkies, (which would take very little time if I remember correctly how fast chickens grow), will they be likely to bully or beat up the Silkies? I would think this is a likely scenario, as my Silkies are quite passive and docile and I imagine that would lend itself to getting "beat up". I was hoping that by purchasing baby chicks, I would have less probability of that happening, but we're talking a pretty big difference in size between the 2 breeds once they are full grown. Any ideas on this?

I've never had silkies....but have read that they often cannot see well and that puts them at a disadvantage....
......but every animal and situation is different and hard to predict an outcome.
Just be prepared to separate as needed, read up on silkies in particular and be observant.

 

[cavemanrich]

Look at pix of my chickens and you will see that they are of many varieties . They seem to live in HARMONY with no issues. Of course there is a pecking order. You would have it even if you had only one species or breed. I have had silkies in the past. They went to the other side of natural causes. Am actually looking to add a silkie hen and a serama hen to my flock this Spring. Also considering a Polish. The colors have to be what I want, White silkie, Black Polish with a white fro. Any serama as long as hen.
I think most behavioral problems arise when there is overcrowding. I think many here will agree with this, including the very knowledgeable poster before me. (aart)

 

[poamomma]

Thanks all for the info., its been very helpful!