Introducing 2 month old silkies to 4 month old flock

[ChadMM0322]

So I have 2 two month old silkies. They are still kind of small. I’ve put them out and let them free range with my 4 month old flock. Which is mix of RIR,Buffs and rocks. They are significantly bigger than my 2 silkies. Which is obvious because they are always going to be smaller. So when I let them out. There is a little pecking but silkies seem to hold their own. My problem is. They seem to all separate them selves from the two months and leave them alone. I want to put them in the coop soon when the silkies get a little bigger but my Main thing is it normal for them to separate themselves from the other flock and should I be worried about them in the coop? Thanks for anyone’s input

 

[Pork Pie]

It’s perfectly normal for sub-flocks to exist, where birds are of different ages - nothing to be concerned about. Flock dynamics tend to change once the younger ones begin to lay.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It is normal for flock members to stay with their respective flocks.
I would be very worried about adding 2 silkies that age with a flock of much larger breeds of adults in confinement. Especially since some are RIRs. Notorious for being bullies of a mixed flock.
They'll never be as large unless your others are bantams so I would wait till they're full grown.

 

[HuskerHens18]

It's not very safe to introduce silkies to other breeds, especially standard sized. Silkies have a delicate skull where their poof is and getting pecked there can be devastating. Is there any way you can keep silkies in a separate area? If you can't, then just monitor the pecking very closely.
Usually when introducing multiple birds they'll stick to their friends to be safe. Mine still do it and they've been together for nearly two years now

 

[ChadMM0322]

So should I keep them in the grower a little bit longer then ? I already built a decent size coop. I was hoping I didn’t have to build separate. Will they be fine when they get a little bit bigger.

 

[ChadMM0322]

Any when is it actually safe to put them with my normal flock

 

[HuskerHens18]

Any when is it actually safe to put them with my normal flock

In my honest opinion it isn't safe at all. But I do know of people who do it anyway and are fine. YOU have to be comfortable with risking your Silkies' health.
I'm going to let someone else suggest safer ages because I don't know a "safe" age and I would hate to give you false information

 

[ChadMM0322]

In my honest opinion it isn't safe at all. But I do know of people who do it anyway and are fine. YOU have to be comfortable with risking your Silkies' health.
I'm going to let someone else suggest safer ages because I don't know a "safe" age and I would hate to give you false information

Are u saying it will never be safe to put them with my other flock. I really don’t mind waiting till they get a little larger. I’m just wonder will they eventually be fine with them

 

[ChadMM0322]

It’s perfectly normal for sub-flocks to exist, where birds are of different ages - nothing to be concerned about. Flock dynamics tend to change once the younger ones begin to lay.

How old do you think until I can actually put them in the coop with the other flock or should I build a mini coop for the time being ?

 

[Pork Pie]

How old do you think until I can actually put them in the coop with the other flock or should I build a mini coop for the time being ?

We all have different setups so giving advice is not simple. Using my setup, i keep juveniles in a run / coop that is interconnected to the main coop / run. The juveniles decide when its time to go and roost with the adults.

Space is very important. This link is a great guide - http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-much-room-do-chickens-need