franciemayhem
In the Brooder
- Dec 18, 2024
- 28
- 34
- 44
Hey guys! I’m back posting about my kooky silkie roo again!
Spark is a 9 week old silkie cockerel, and Fern is a 9 week old silkie pullet. They’re getting bigger, and I know in a couple of weeks we’re going to start having to house them in the coop. I have four 5-month old Buff Orpington pullets that I need to introduce them to.
For context, Spark and Fern walk around the yard under supervision. The Buffs will be out at the same time, and normally they stay far apart, but we have had some fights start, which were broken up pretty much as soon as they started. I know that some fighting is important for them to establish a pecking order, but the silkies are so little and the Buffs are so big, so I want to make sure I’m taking proper precautions. So far, one of the Buffs charged Fern out of the blue. She’s very shy and sensitive, so she didn’t fight back at all (there wasn’t time for her to get hurt thankfully). Spark, however, has puffed up and gone after the Buffs of his own accord, if they’re nearby. I really want to be able to keep Spark, so I’m trying to keep him as tame as possible; he’s friendly with me and other humans, but I don’t want to encourage any overly aggressive behavior, especially while he’s young.
Should I let them fight, and only separate them if there’s blood? Should I keep them apart? If anybody has any tips or insights on how to introduce them, I’d love to hear it! Thank you
Spark is a 9 week old silkie cockerel, and Fern is a 9 week old silkie pullet. They’re getting bigger, and I know in a couple of weeks we’re going to start having to house them in the coop. I have four 5-month old Buff Orpington pullets that I need to introduce them to.
For context, Spark and Fern walk around the yard under supervision. The Buffs will be out at the same time, and normally they stay far apart, but we have had some fights start, which were broken up pretty much as soon as they started. I know that some fighting is important for them to establish a pecking order, but the silkies are so little and the Buffs are so big, so I want to make sure I’m taking proper precautions. So far, one of the Buffs charged Fern out of the blue. She’s very shy and sensitive, so she didn’t fight back at all (there wasn’t time for her to get hurt thankfully). Spark, however, has puffed up and gone after the Buffs of his own accord, if they’re nearby. I really want to be able to keep Spark, so I’m trying to keep him as tame as possible; he’s friendly with me and other humans, but I don’t want to encourage any overly aggressive behavior, especially while he’s young.
Should I let them fight, and only separate them if there’s blood? Should I keep them apart? If anybody has any tips or insights on how to introduce them, I’d love to hear it! Thank you
