Introducing silkie bantams to regular hens?

[becquerel]

I have four approximately eight week old chicks - two dominickers, a production red and a gold sex link - who were raised together and get along just fine. I also had two ameraucanas, two weeks younger, that they seemed to get along ok with. But, after leaving them together outside under the care of my brother for a weekend while I was out of town, I came back to find one of the ameraucanas dead and the other missing a patch of feathers on her back, but still alive. My brother forgot to fill up their feeder when he put them in the pen for the morning (which is ample size for six or more chickens) which may have been a factor, as when I got home the feeder was picked empty and as soon as I put them up for the night, they started pecking up the feed that had collected in the dish I keep their feeder in to prevent wasting food.

I have the surviving ameraucana inside, and will reintroduce them a better way once she's healed up.
But the problem I'm having now is the two silkie chicks my boyfriend got for me. They're bantams, and probably around two weeks old right now. I don't know the sex. Based on the recent behaviour of my older chicks, I'm afraid that I might not be able to get them all to live together without hurting one another, because of how much smaller and different the silkies will be when they're fully grown.
I can't really build another pen, and I just can't bear the thought of more chickens getting hurt because of my inexperience Do you guys have any suggestions, or should I look into finding my silkies a new home?

 

[CJ427]

a common trick is to introduce them at night when its dark. as much as we hate to admit it, chickens are a little stupid and your older ones will wake up the next morning and might not even realize they just "appeared".
another thing you can try is putting their cage or whatever they are in now right next to their pen.this way, they get to meet each other in a no-contact way. then let them free range together so they have contact, but there are no territorial issues. i've never tried this for first time introductions, but i know it's used for chickens that where separated from their flock to recover from an injury,

 

[Silverhooligan]

I have a rescue bantam silkie rooster adult that I'll be introducing to regular size hens. Is there anything in particular I should know about and plan for?

There are three hens, BO, BA, and PBR.

In June I'll be merging the older gals and this new roo with 21 youngsters that include one PBR roo. Will the bantam silkie roo be ok or should they be kept separate with their own flocks?

Thank you!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Silkie hens are a bit different than the roosters. Most silkie roosters can hold their own with standard hens. The only ones I wouldn't are the fancier silkies that can't see what's going on. Those would be in trouble.

I would just add him and see how it goes. Be prepared to separate him if things get rough, or he seems afraid, otherwise let them work it out.

Another option is to pen him where the hens can interact through a fence for a few weeks so they become familiar with him.

 

[Silverhooligan]

Thanks! I have a larger kennel next to their fence. The BO and PBR are curious but the Australorp has tried to peck his comb aggressively.

He's quite sweet, came out of the kennel and sat in my lap for a while.

Humane Society told me he was the only chicken to survive a coyote breaking into their coop.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would take the slower route than. The Australorp is probably dominant hen. She should get used to his presence after a while. Poor guy is probably a bit traumatized with all that has happened to him.