Mix silkies in with others?

[WA23]

I have never had a silkie before and actually am quite new to chickens still. My wife wants a silkie. We really don't have the room for another bird (in town and have 5 already). I told her I might be able to fit in one more small one.

. My question is, can I mix a silkie with the other five in a rather small coop with 1 Austrolorp, 2 Golden Phoenix, 1 RIR, and 1 slightly aggressive EE or should I house it by itself?

 

[cluckychick]

You can always give it a go but I would be prepared to house it by itself with a friend

 

[cackle]

Why not get two that way if you have to have a second pen it will have company.

 

[Chirpy]

Your situation doesn't sound very conducive for the Silkie. It could work but seems like you would be taking a bigger chance that it won't work. Exactly how big is your coop?

If you decide to give it a try you need to be prepared to remove the Silkie and have a second home/coop ready for it. And, since chickens are social birds ... you will need to have a companion for the Silkie. So, get 2 from the start.

Since you will already have the second coop ready to rehome the Silkies if it doesn't work out then.... just put them in their own home to begin with! Problem solved. I love my Silkies. Your wife will love them also.

 

[WA23]

Well, thanks for the advice. It was as I thought. Since I do not have the time to build a second coop (and maybe shouldn't anyway since I live in the city) to hold two silkies, I guess I will have to pass until we move out of town.

BTW, my coop is about 20 square feet with a run of a little more than 70 S.F. I would like to fit in another good egg layer. I have the opportunity to get almost any breed (@4 months old) for $5.00 ea. Wise to get another one?

 

[Chirpy]

The general rule of thumb is 4 sq. feet of space per each standard size chicken in the coop and 10 sq. ft. per standard size chicken in the run. You have five chickens so you are already at the maximum. Personally, I wouldn't add anymore until you have a larger coop and run. I'm big on not overcrowding chickens.

If they ever have to be locked up for a day or so you may end up with feather pecking because of crowded conditions and bored birds.

 

[antiquebuff]

I have found Silkies do not not work well with other breeds because most cannot see well and run the risk of not getting enough to eat. Also my Silkies are very shy and others tend to be more aggressive, get all the food as well as pick on them. I have a coop and run for each breed I have, but it took a long time to get all that built! You may want to build first and get them a little later. I do guarantee, you will love them when you do get them!!

 

[spydertoys]

I have to tell you a pretty unbelievable Silkie story. I have 2 adult Silkie Roos that keep the peace in my entire flock. My big Orpington Roo runs for his life when the Silkies even get close. Soemtimes they double team him..it is so FUNNY to watch this huge Roo staying out of their way. I could not possibly ever get rid of them ..they are the Kings of the coop!

 

[ronniega1]

my silkies get along well with my ri reds and my turkey and peachick. but add the new one at night so they do not reliaze there is a new one...i believe the silkie will be fine....