I noticed an interesting social dynamic in my silkie/showgirl flock. I've raised all of these from either eggs or days old chicks. They've usually grown up in groups of 4-6. And there is about 2-4 weeks between each new group and the last. So I have a group of 4 (5 month olds), 6 (4 month olds), 4 (3 month olds), and 1 ( 2 month old).
Silkie/showgirls are great. When it's time to introduce a new group, just toss them in. No one seems to mind.
Here's the interesting part. When they are allowed out to free range they segregate themselves into their individual subsets. If one chick from a subset gets stuck inside/outside it frets until it can get back with it's group (when I say stuck I mean, one is either outside or in and can't figure out how (even though the door is open) to get back out/in). I find it very interesting that each subset recognizes their pals.
This poses a dilemma for the singleton. She doesn't have any buddies with whom to learn the ropes. No one to cuddle with when she gets stuck downstairs (because she has learned how to go down the ramp, but not up.) Sad. Now the other chickens visit her upstairs when she stays up there and don't seem to pick on her. She just doesn't have a best friend like the others.
Silkie/showgirls are great. When it's time to introduce a new group, just toss them in. No one seems to mind.
Here's the interesting part. When they are allowed out to free range they segregate themselves into their individual subsets. If one chick from a subset gets stuck inside/outside it frets until it can get back with it's group (when I say stuck I mean, one is either outside or in and can't figure out how (even though the door is open) to get back out/in). I find it very interesting that each subset recognizes their pals.
This poses a dilemma for the singleton. She doesn't have any buddies with whom to learn the ropes. No one to cuddle with when she gets stuck downstairs (because she has learned how to go down the ramp, but not up.) Sad. Now the other chickens visit her upstairs when she stays up there and don't seem to pick on her. She just doesn't have a best friend like the others.
