Mixing silkie chicks with standards

[vermontgal]

I am NOT thinking about getting silkies.

But if I did

I know that the silkies are smaller as chicks. Based on the timing of the local feed stores, I could get 2 silkies about a month earlier than picking up 2 EE (I am NOT thinking about these chickens, either).

Would this potentially work out in terms of chick sizes? How much older would be best to have the silkies be than the standards?

 

[addicted2chicks]

I would like to know this too so I am bumping this up. Hoping someone can answer, although I am also NOT

thinking about getting silkies.
And since I am NOT thinking about getting them, will they be fine as adults with my standards?

 

[FarmerDenise]

I've had standards and banties in a mixed flock for years. Those little ones are tough little biddies. They'll hold their own.

 

[Chicken Woman]

I have 6 banties and 8 standards and they do just finr. In fact one of my banties thinks she is the boss and runs the big girls off !

 

[emsevers]

I have had that same experience. I have 1 black silkie and 3 red sex-links, who by the way are very aggressive, and that silkie is totally the boss. She's hatched some babies around the others and totally defended her babies. They do not mess with her.

I would say that your plan sounds pretty good, even though you're not actually going to get them.

The easter eggers that I got from the store seem to be very easy going. They are 3 weeks old now and I put some newborns in with them and had no problems. So if the silkies had a month head start I think they would be just fine.

 

[Ky Chicken Fan]

Quote:
It'll probably depend on your chicks. I have had standard and silkies hatch together my last 2 hatches. The ones in December after about a week when the size difference was starting to get really noticable the standards started stomping the bantams pretty bad. After a few days when it wasn't getting any better we had to give up and set up a 2nd brooder. This time the standards are very laid back and sweet, and are doing fine with the bantams at almost 3 weeks old. They will come out this weekend, but only because they are getting crowded now that they are all getting bigger.

Once they are grown I am sure they will be fine together. I had 2 comets living in my silkie pen last fall and winter because they were bullies in the layer pen. The silkie roos kept them in line and no one had problems with them there. Good luck with the chicks you are not planning to get.

 

[vermontgal]

Thanks for these replies.
Does anyone have any tips on trying to pick silkie pullet chicks out of the bin? I know silkies are hard. I'm thinking I might not

try three silkies in the hopes of getting at least one hen.

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

In my opinion if you get them all as chicks they will be just fine together. If you try adding the silkies later they will get picked on by the larger hens. Now if you add younger hens to older silkies then that's usually ok too. The silkies just seem to love EVERYTHING and they are always so nice to everyone. I keep my silkies separate for their safety because I didn't get mine the same time as I got my standard hens. My hens are just plain mean to new comers

They all love each other, but trying to add new ones is impossible. I have tried everything.

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

Look for flat looking combs not real bumpy...how old will they be when you pick them out? Mine are over a month and 1/2 now and I think I can tell. Looks like I may have four boys and one girl. It's ok though as I already have two hens and these ones will be added to the bunch. It IS really hard to tell the sex of silkies until they are much older that's true. Be sure to look for five toes too

 

[briana1975]

I just got chicks today. Silkies are holding their own. They are only a little bit smaller than the Barred Rock chicks, so far anyways.