I had 3 silkies at one point with my 5 standards. They were sort of separate flocks, but we lost the little rooster in November to Mareks and this week lost the more dominant pullet (waiting on results, but I would bet Mareks). Also lost one standard last week to Mareks. So we are down to 3 hens, a rooster and this lonely Silkie. The silkies were never accepted into the flock, but at least when there was two of them the could hang/hide together. Now my poor blue just hides her face in a corner. My Ayam Cemani hen is a bully to her actively, will go out of her way to attack. The other two hens will just casually peck her if she’s near. This poor bird is so timid, always has been. I bought the pair of chicks from a show breeder, and while they are beautiful they have never been friendly or integrated well. She will sit docile in my lap but is mostly just afraid all the time. With this stupid Mareks thing I can’t just bring in more birds, and what if she’s sick too? She’s only 7 mo, how do I give her a good life? Right now I’ve got her in the giant wire crate in the chicken run I use for integration/broody breaker, so she can be with the other birds but not hurt. Is that enough? I have to either bring her inside at night, or let her sleep with the flock then put her in a kennel during the day. Lots of work for one bird, but I want her safe. Thoughts?
