Lonely silkie hen

[GavinAyers]

Recently I lost my silkie rooster Craker Jacker that was part of my Silkie breeding pair. The hens name is Splash (splash silkie) and she hatched out a bundle of 5 silkie chicks (not related) and now she is the only silkie in the flock because I haven’t put the chicks in with the rest of the flock. I was wondering if I could put her in with the 5 month old chicks even though they are still of grower

 

[ValerieJ]

even though they are still of grower

Do you mean they are on grower feed? Is she getting layer feed? She can be in with them, just add oyster shell in a separate dish for her. Why not switch them all over to all flock?

 

[SilkieLoverFarm]

You could try. If there's lots of hard pecking, put a barrier between them for a couple/few weeks. One in which it's like they're sharing the same space, can still see/hear each other but not peck each other. Do treat times for all of them, including her so they see each other having treats/happy time.

When you're there after a few days, remove the barrier, or put her in with them so you can supervise and stop any pecking/fighting. Keep doing this every day, a couple times a day or how your schedule permits. Or You can even put 1 in with her, during these times to have individual intros where they can all still see her/each other.

By the end of the couple/few weeks, they should integrate fine. She should of made some friends by then to aid in her being accepted into "their" flock. That is, if you have any issues at all.

If your silkies are super docile the above may not be necessary. But sometimes they can be protective of their space and each other. So getting to know her, will help, while still helping everyone to be remain safe and not be attacked.

 

[Indigo a la mode]

5-month-old chicks are basically full-grown and can switch over to normal feed. With some careful oversight over the introductions, I'd think they should be able to assimilate just fine at this point, since she doesn't have a major size advantage.

 

[rosemarythyme]

If your main concern is the feed, no reason the hen can't eat grower - all my hens eat grower as the majority of their diet.

 

[Pamiam412]

Where do you live? I have a 4 month old black frizzle feathered silkie that needs a new home only because I cant have roosters where I live.

 

[Matilda Belle]

Yes, you can integrate her with the other 5 month olds. Obviously watch closely the first couple days for integration issues (bullying, injuries from pecking). As far as the starter, I have my entire flock on starter which was advised to me by several reputable people on this forum. Just be sure that grit and oyster shell are available at all times.