Introducing silkies to a younger flock.

[Shortperson2002]

Silly question, I have 12 chicks. There are 2 barred rocks, 2 buff orpintons, and 2 white leghorns that are four weeks old. I also have 6 EEs that are 2 weeks old (and a bit skittish and were probably getting rid of three) I really want a silkie or two but I'm trying to figure out the best way to do this. I've heard the full size birds tend to pick on the silkies. So what I was wondering is if I get 2-3 month old silkies, would the silkies be less likely to be picked on when the rest of the flock gets bigger?

 

[PrairieChickens]

If the chicks grow up with the silkies, they will be less likely to pick on them. The biggest reasons unusual chickens like silkies, polish crested, and feather-footed varieties get picked on is that the "normal" chickens don't recognize the odd features like fluffy crests or feet as being part of the other chicken. They peck at the other chicken trying to "clean" the extra feathers off, and can end up hurting him in the process--then the pecking is at the wound itself. Boredom is a big contributing factor to most of this behavior, and chickens who have other things to keep them busy will be less likely to resort to abusing each other for entertainment.

There is always the risk that you will end up with a bully, but that would be a problem whether you have silkies or not.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

I don't keep my Silkies with any other breeds, they have their own coop and run. I've not had any luck introducing them to an existing flock or having them raise other breeds. Once the standards grow out, they dwarf the Silkies. Sometimes they would purposefully peck them, but mostly they were accidentally injuring them (landing on them while jumping off something, running over them to be the first to treats, larger rooster mounting the poor, smaller Silkie hens, you get the idea). Many of mine have vaulted skulls and I had a couple of them get neurological disorders from being squished or pecked. So, now they live alone.
Lots of people keep their Silkies with other breeds, but I'm not one of them.
Good luck

 

[PrairieChickens]

That's a very good point to make, howfunky. While silkies can be integrated into a mixed flock, everyone's situation is different, and it's not always a good idea.

I look forward to getting some silkies of my own. Fortunately, if it turns out I have to keep them separately as well, I can do that rather easily.

 

[CarolinaHen]

We keep our Silkies in with the rest of our flock. I can't say that we have ever done anything special or different for them. They hang out with the Brahmas and EEs. We didn't get them all at the same time, and we made no special accommodations other than typical separation prior to introduction to the flock. We have had no issues at all with the others picking on them. This could be because our lead rooster is an Appenzeller and the flock us used to a crest.......

 

[CarolinaHen]

We keep our Silkies in with the rest of our flock. I can't say that we have ever done anything special or different for them. They hang out with the Brahmas and EEs. We didn't get them all at the same time, and we made no special accommodations other than typical separation prior to introduction to the flock. We have had no issues at all with the others picking on them. This could be because our lead rooster is an Appenzeller and the flock us used to a crest.......

*is* not us

 

[biga]

i tried putting some silkies in with my other hens and WOW what a disaster that was. i'll just say i don't have the silkies anymore and leave it at that.