Introducing a muscovy hen into a chicken flock?

[currythecockerel]

Hi all, I am in desperate need of advice on what to do about my muscovy hen and silkie hen. Earlier this year we rescued a Muscovy hen and put her with our two silkies temporarily while we figured out what to do with her. Unfortunately one of the silkies passed away and since then the duck ‘Misty’ has gotten really close to our silkie ‘Fluffy’. At my dad's property we recently installed an 8x3meter Chicken run to put his four hens in (to separate them from our roos). Now that Misty and Fluffy only have each other, I would feel guilty separating them and am wondering if it would be a good idea to put them into this chicken run as well. The environment at my dad's property would be much nicer for them with lots of grass and nature, but I am wary that introducing new members to a flock can be very difficult, and that bullying could occur - especially considering one is a duck and the other a very small bantam hen. Both Misty and Fluffy have very gentle personalities, but the four other hens can be a bit feisty - even with each other. Would it be a better idea to just give the two away? Or maybe adopt another silkie/muscovy/both (before putting them in the run)? And if it seems alright to try introduce them, are there any tips on how - eg. putting them in at night so they wake up together? I would be very grateful for any advice! Thanks for reading.

 

[Debbie292d]

Hi,

I have both a few ducks and a whole lot of silkies.

You usually can't put one silkie with other chickens as they are smaller, more docile, and will be picked on. I'd get a couple more silkies if you can.

As for the duck, she will be fine if you can find her one more duck of any basic breed. Then those two will hang together.

Then as far as integrating, the ducks will be fine. Your silkies should be penned up somewhere near your dad's chickens so they can see each other, but they can't mingle. I'd do this for at least a week, and that'll get them used to each other before just putting them together. The usual quarantine of 2 weeks to a month I'd say was unnecessary as you'd already know your dad's chickens were healthy, plus any possible viruses or diseases would have already been passed between your places.