Mixing silkies with free range hens

[Steven Leonard]

I have 6 full grown hens and recently got 2 baby silkies, the silkies are about 6-7 months old now one being a rooster and one a hen. They are dying to get out of the coop and run free with the others but some of the hens charge and peck them.. will this eventually stop with time or should I keep them separate at all times.. my silkies are black in color not that it matters but I know there’s many different types of silkies. I would love to let them all out together, they are in separate coops

 

[ThenNotSoChickenMaster]

Has your flock had a chance to see your silkies while in there coop and run? It's usually easier for both the new chickens and the flock when they have seen each other for a while before actually adding them into the flock.

When our silkies were 2 months old, we made a brooder inside the coop so they could see each other but not physically touch each other. When they were 3 months, we opened the brooder and they went with the flock. Of course, there will always be pecking and fighting, but as long as no blood is drawn out they are fine. After a couple of weeks everything got sorted out and they all got along fine.

You can add your silkies at night when it's pitch dark and your chickens are all asleep. At morning, you can keep an eye on them and see how it goes. They also have an advatange since you free-range, that way if they get pecked at, they can escape.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

I have 6 full grown hens and recently got 2 baby silkies, the silkies are about 6-7 months old now one being a rooster and one a hen. They are dying to get out of the coop and run free with the others but some of the hens charge and peck them.. will this eventually stop with time or should I keep them separate at all times.. my silkies are black in color not that it matters but I know there’s many different types of silkies. I would love to let them all out together, they are in separate coops

Had an almost identical situation. Just let them out with the others and stay out with the silkies.