Integrating Silikies with pekin bantams - help...

[Doors27]

Hi,

I'm very new to chicken keeping, but am already enjoying the process. I recently purchased two young (10wk) pekin bantam hens and intended to add another two of a similar age next week. However, we have since been offered 2-3 Silkie chickens from someone who can no longer keep them.

I'm temped to take the offer, but before i do i'd be grateful for BYC's collective knowledge on the following:

1. Can Pekins and Silkies live together happily?
2. Will adding older Silkies to my two young Pekins cause problems?
3. Can these be integrated easily, or would they need to be separated and have separate coops for a period of time?
4. What other questions should i be asking of their current owner?

Thank you so much in advance for any advice/help you can offer

Doors.

 

[TheTwoRoos]

First off,you can always have a dog pen ready just in case things go smoothly.Yes they can live together,any breed of chicken can live together.

Second,this should go fairly simple because both breeds are easy going,and they are only teen week olds.There probably will be some chasing and pecking,but that is absolutely normal.When they are very first integrated they may fight,but it shouldn't last but a few seconds (Silkies are fragile wimps,and 10 week old chicks are just as scary.)

First,make sure the owners is fairly "Clean".Look at the birds VERY hard,and make sure there are no injuries,or signs of sickness.