Introducing a young silkie to an established flock

[Sandeewhispers]

I am sure this has been discussed but I just cant find it anywhere. I have an established flock with a mixture of full size hens, a silkie rooster and two silkie hens. I have three younger ones I am going to be sneaking into the coop tonight. They have already been in their sight for a while now. I have introduced new birds to established flocks without issues in the past. My dilemma now is that I hatched 3 silkies and only one survived. I have been raising it in a brooder in my home and it is almost ready to be introduced to the flock. I have never done this with just one bird before. I dont want anything to happen. Any advice? Suggestions? Has anyone done this before? If it helps, I do believe this one is a rooster. It has been trying to crow. LOL!

 

[Debbie292d]

Hi, you have me confused.

I have three younger ones I am going to be sneaking into the coop tonight.

What's the age difference of these three and this one in the brooder?

Once those three go into the coop, can't this young one go where they were?

 

[Sandeewhispers]

Hi, you have me confused.


What's the age difference of these three and this one in the brooder?

Once those three go into the coop, can't this young one go where they were?

The ones in the coop are at 9 weeks old. The one in the brooder is around 5 weeks old. Once I put them in (should be this week because there was some major fighting I had to stop) I will be putting the little one in there. I am just concerned with when I add him to the rest of the flock since he will be alone.

 

[Debbie292d]

The ones in the coop are at 9 weeks old. The one in the brooder is around 5 weeks old. Once I put them in (should be this week because there was some major fighting I had to stop) I will be putting the little one in there. I am just concerned with when I add him to the rest of the flock since he will be alone.

If I were in this situation, I'd try to integrate the younger one with the 9-week-old ones first. They may just get along fine and it would be easier then to integrate the four of them instead of three, as in more safety in numbers. They will look at him at first, maybe even peck a few times, but I doubt any would be as mean as a possible bully hen. I've tried to integrate 4-month-old silkies to the coop, and it had bumps, whereas the time we waited until 5 months, it went way smoother. Closer to the same size always helps.

Regardless, I'd have some "clutter" in the coop/run for all the younger ones, such as pallets against a wall/fence, an overturned old wooden chair or wooden box, etc., things they can hide in that the older ones can't get in. It might also help to have two different feed/water stations so the younger one(s) are able to peacefully eat/drink.