Introducing new flock to lone Silkie- question

[Ridgerunner]

The largest danger is if one lays down and the other keeps pecking at her, usually pecking the head. The loser of a fight or the intimidated one should try to run away. Sometimes they get trapped against a fence or wall or just give up and lay down. The other chicken can kill them by pecking the head.

 

[member 615286]

The largest danger is if one lays down and the other keeps pecking at her, usually pecking the head. The loser of a fight or the intimidated one should try to run away. Sometimes they get trapped against a fence or wall or just give up and lay down. The other chicken can kill them by pecking the head.

Oh geez. Ok so I’ll watch for anyone getting pecked at and not running away (getting tapped, laying down while still getting attacked, etc.)
Should I be worried about the two chicks that now outsize the silkie ganging up on her?
Should I intro one at a time?
Thank you!!!

 

[Ridgerunner]

Should I be worried about the two chicks that now outsize the silkie ganging up on her?

There isn't that much difference in their age, 8 months versus 10. In my opinion size isn't important but maturity is. There are plenty of times that bantams dominate full sized fowl. At that age all three should be about the same maturity level. In your situation, if there is any bullying it could go either way.

Should I intro one at a time?

I'd try them both at the same time. Each time is a risk so see if you can just go through it once instead of twice. Nobody, me or anyone else, can tell you what will happen, just some things that might happen. Observe and go by what you see.

 

[member 615286]

In your situation I would not worry about quarantine. It hurts to say that but I think you have other considerations.

I would immediately put them across wire from her. House them in a look but don't touch situation starting now. That could be in the coop or in the run as long as it is predator safe and you are OK with weather. Just having them nearby may calm her tremendously.

That coop is pretty small for integration but you can just turn them loose immediately when you can observe. It could work, especially if the run is available. "This" might possibly happen, that "can" happen, but what counts is what does happen. I think you need to make your decisions based on what you see, not from worry about what you might see. You might see something bad so have a plan, you might need it, but I'd probably give it a try.

Hi again
So chicks are inside garage with heat source. Silkie did a few hang outs on the other side of their pen for a few days and has spent some time inside with them today. My observations are she’s made a few quick moves towards them (“charging” might be too strong) and they’ve run away. And they are sharing a feeder ok. Mostly she seems uninterested/concerned with the occasional quick moves at them when they get super close.
My question is, considering it’s about to get sub-zero in coming nights (and so I’d like to have her in the garage as well), When might I be able to leave them unsupervised sharing this space considering these observations today? I can keep them separated but would need to build another pen aside this one if this is advised. Thank you

 

[Ridgerunner]

How cold will it get in that garage when it is sub-zero Fahrenheit outside? There can't be any breezes. I'm not convinced they need that heat lamp. If the heat lamp is turned off at night it's going to be dark which tremendously reduces the chance of any problems at night.

From what you describe I'd try it even with the lamp. They are behaving as they should. The Silkie is not going out of her way to bully them.