Mixing 6-7 week old pullets with 6yo hen

[Heymac08]

It’s not the worst idea… but you would have to be a lot more attentive and careful with the silkies and really make sure they don’t get hurt because they are such easy targets.

would they still be easy targets if I was somehow able to get them to integrate?

 

[ILoveBabySilkies]

would they still be easy targets if I was somehow able to get them to integrate?

Yes and no once chickens get integrated does not mean they stop fighting they just do it a lot less, chickens fight in a flock to maintain the pecking order and if the silkies get overly bullied they will be very stressed and scared to be around the other chickens. Other than that the silkies should do fine if the other chickens don’t overly bully them but really the only thing I’m worried about is if you’re gonna be able to safely integrate them, especially at such a young age with the 6 yo hen. If you do decide to get the silkies good luck.

 

[Chickenhappy8708]

A better idea may be to raise up those 7 week old standard pullets, and next year have a broody raise some baby Silkies.

 

[Heymac08]

A better idea may be to raise up those 7 week old standard pullets, and next year have a broody raise some baby Silkies.

ah, which brings me to another question for you... so we have had some fake eggs in the nests for a while, trying to get the two hens to become broody so we could stick some chicks in there, but the chickens were not keen on it. Now that there is only one hen, for the last 5 days since the other passed, she’s been sitting on the nest with the eggs all day, and I even think she’s been sleeping in the nest.

is she depressed or is she now broody?

 

[Chickenhappy8708]

Probobly a bit of both. What breed is she?

 

[Heymac08]

This is the current chicken set up:

 

[sourland]

would they still be easy targets if I was somehow able to get them to integrate?

Yes. The pecking order is fluid and ever changing. Because of their mellow temperment, different look, smaller size, sometimes impaired vision - silkies are relatively easy targets.

 

[Heymac08]

This is Blackie (named by the kids that lived here before us). Not sure what breed she is

 

[Heymac08]

Probobly a bit of both. What breed is she?

If she is broody, could I try sticking the silkies under her at night?

I apologize for all the questions, I just want to make sure I don’t do the wrong thing.

 

[Chickenhappy8708]

If she is broody, could I try sticking the silkies under her at night?

I apologize for all the questions, I just want to make sure I don’t do the wrong thing.

Your fine lol. Make sure she truly is broody before you stick Silkie chicks under her. And try and get them as young as possible. I've never done broody hens before. My blind pullet, Amber takes random baby chicks under her wings, but has never tried her hand at hatching. Hazel, my Buff Orphington is attempting ceramic eggs right now, I doubt she will stay at the nest for long.

As for the breed of your hen, she looks like a Maran possibly? Try posting her in the breed or gender section and report back to us so we can assess her potential broodieness. What could egg does she lay, if she has ever laid for you.