Keep the silkies?

SelfSufficientMe

Songster
Mar 17, 2022
215
460
136
Central Florida
Hi all. I have a few questions of opinion. I have four nearly one year old buff orphington hens. I purchased three silkies as young pullets and now they’re approaching five months old. I’ve had them separated for the most part from the hens due to bullying.

I recently purchased eight rare breed chicks (pullets) and I’ve had them in the same enclosure as the silkies. The idea behind housing them together is that perhaps they’ll think of the silkies as their flock mates.

I eventually want to put all of my chickens together in one run. I’m not sure the silkies will be able to roost with the other chickens though due to roost and coop height.

Do you think it would be possible to integrate the silkies into a normal size flock? Has anybody ever had luck with this? Would it be a better idea to rehome the silkies? I feel bad keeping them in a smaller/separate enclosure (approx 80 square feet). Is that large enough for them if I keep them? I did not realize the issue I would have with silkies cohabitating with normal size hens.

Thank you for your input!
 
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Hi all. I have a few questions of opinion. I have four nearly one year old buff orphington hens. I purchased three silkies as young pullets and now they’re approaching five months old. I’ve had them separated for the most part from the hens due to bullying.

I recently purchased eight rare breed chicks (pullets) and I’ve had them in the same enclosure as the silkies. The idea being housing them together is that perhaps they’ll think of the silkies as their flock mates.

I eventually want to put all of my chickens together in one run. I’m not sure the silkies will be able to roost with the other chickens though due to roost and coop height.

Do you think it would be possible to integrate the silkies into a normal size flock? Has anybody ever had luck with this? Would it be a better idea to rehome the silkies? I feel bad keeping them in a smaller/separate enclosure (approx 80 square feet). Is that large enough for them if I keep them? I did not realize the issue I would have with silkies cohabitating with normal size hens.

Thank you for your input!
I have 2 Silkies in with a flock of 10 other large breeds and 5 ducks. They do just fine! Chances are, your Silkies might not be at the bottom of the pecking order; the younger birds will probably be further down the hierarchy. My 2 roost with the big girls, too. My roost is only around 1 ft up because I have very large breeds, and keeping the roost low has mitigated foot injuries.

All that said, they will need lots of room and obstructions to avoid being targeted, if needed. If you find they do get bullied again, I suggest separating the bully for a few days to reset the pecking order.

Violet (the black Silkie there) with some of my big girls, including a massive Brahma and a Cochin. Neither of my Silkies are at the bottom of the pecking order.
20200911_183650.jpg
 
I have 2 Silkies in with a flock of 10 other large breeds and 5 ducks. They do just fine! Chances are, your Silkies might not be at the bottom of the pecking order; the younger birds will probably be further down the hierarchy. My 2 roost with the big girls, too. My roost is only around 1 ft up because I have very large breeds, and keeping the roost low has mitigated foot injuries.

All that said, they will need lots of room and obstructions to avoid being targeted, if needed. If you find they do get bullied again, I suggest separating the bully for a few days to reset the pecking order.

Violet (the black Silkie there) with some of my big girls, including a massive Brahma and a Cochin. Neither of my Silkies are at the bottom of the pecking order.
View attachment 3059876
Thank you. That gives me hope. I have a cross-beak buff that goes out of her way to peck at my silkies. I’ll try temporarily separating her if necessary. And one of my roost is about a foot off of the ground and the other is about a foot and a half. They’re staggered. I’m more so concerned with the ramp leading into the coop. It’s steep. So far the silkies have not roosted in their coop. It’s a prefab, store bought coop that sits low to the ground.
 
Thank you. That gives me hope. I have a cross-beak buff that goes out of her way to peck at my silkies. I’ll try temporarily separating her if necessary.
Sounds like a plan!

Seriously, though, I bet they do fine now that you raised the new chicks with them.

Be sure to keep us updated!
 
I have found throwing them right in with the regulars as soon as possible the better the integration. too much work also to separate. when i bought my first chickens, i asked the lady if she had any advice. Her only reply was, "Don't let them stress you out." I always try to remember her words. Makes raising more fun.
 

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