New Silkie chicks

[mrscluckingham]

I have a Silkie that is about 5 months old. My older chickens hate her! I have tried everything to get them to accept her. I introduced her at night... In the morning they try to massacre her. I put her in a cage inside the run with the chickens for a week. Upon opening the cage; there was a tornado of feathers... All from the silkie. I tried putting her in the cage inside the run for 2 weeks. Unfortunately she now has two nasty wounds on her from trying to see if they accept her now. I even tried letting them free range a bit to see how they would act. Still, they reject her. Kind of reminds me of my childhood in Chicago. Watching the gang-bangers thwart their self proclaimed enemies. Someone told me it was better to introduce multiple chickens, rather than one at a time. I have someone who raises Silkies, and I can get 4 more babies. Will my Silkie hen mother then if I separate her and the chicks from the others? Would the others eventually accept them all. Or will I have two separate flocks on my little plot of urban land? These are the questions going through my mind this fine, HOT, and rainy southern Sunday. Those, and what the stink will I do with all those eggs... Homemade ice cream, breakfast casseroles to feed an Army, or implement a scrambled egg routine every morning? Oh the thinks you can think...

 

[Monkeybean415]

I had a similar issue with my polish who isn't quite right in the head. She's three months old and gets along fine with her brooder mates but I can't leave her alone to free range with the big girls like I can the others. They all pick on her and she ends up scared and huddled in a corner. I've been putting off moving the rest out because I worry about her being alone in the garage all the time but she's alone most days anyway since the others go out to explore the yard. She ends up spending time in our front yard with the kids or in the house for a little bit.

My plan is to keep her separated in her own area outside along with a companion. I haven't worked out the details on her space yet but I'm expecting some bantam silkie and Cochin chicks this week so one of them will keep her company. Good luck with yours and I hope it works out!

 

[Monkeybean415]

I'd try letting them free range again so your silkie has lots of space to hide if needed and trim her crest so she can see better

 

[mrscluckingham]

I'd try letting them free range again so your silkie has lots of space to hide if needed and trim her crest so she can see better

Her crest isn't in the way. But free range isn't working. They chase her until she is crammed under the feeder, then they pluck her to bits. I really want to make diapers for her to be a house pet. My hubby thinks I'm nuts. I guess after 13 years of marriage it is time for him to figure that one out. lol my cats are deathly afraid of her, so I know that won't be an issue. Plus, the cats don't feed us, so they go before the chicken. lol I am a city girl, so this adventure is fun; while at the same time frustrating. :-(

 

[mrscluckingham]

I'd try letting them free range again so your silkie has lots of space to hide if needed and trim her crest so she can see better

What I mean is that her crest is still a "poof", not the typical crest. Perhaps she is still too young to try and introduce her? She is still about 5 months or so.

 

[Monkeybean415]

Is she your only bantam? I can see how trying to introduce one bantam alone in a standard flock would be hard. How much free range area do you have? My husband thinks I'm a little nutty for ordering more chickens just to get the polish a companion... Our chicken count has gone up drastically this year

 

[mrscluckingham]

Is she your only bantam? I can see how trying to introduce one bantam alone in a standard flock would be hard. How much free range area do you have? My husband thinks I'm a little nutty for ordering more chickens just to get the polish a companion... Our chicken count has gone up drastically this year

Yes, she is the only bantam. That is why, I'm guessing, I was told to introduce more than one. They have an 8X8 ft run, plus another 9X15 ft area that I have for them to wander connected to the run. More than enough room to share, but I guess not with one lonely bantam? In the fall and winter they have the whole yard. I have too many areas of berries, and garden that they devour if I don't keep them in the larger area. I want more chickens anyway. Silkies are one of my favorites, so this is not too horrible of a problem to have. I do hope they aclimate the newer ones though. I'd rather have one combined flock, but I'll do what I have to. I'm not giving up my little Katie. So if separating her is what it takes to keep her alive, then that's what I'll do. I just want her to have playmates. She is the sweetest thing ever. Are thee other breeds that are like her? I'd love to have a flock of mini teddy bear chickens. lol

 

[Monkeybean415]

I don't think there are any other breeds like silkies. I'm expecting my first ones tomorrow. I've heard that Cochins are also very sweet little fluff balls though

 

[mrscluckingham]

I don't think there are any other breeds like silkies. I'm expecting my first ones tomorrow. I've heard that Cochins are also very sweet little fluff balls though

I have heard of those. I don't know anyone selling those near me. My mail system here is HORRIBLE, so I refuse to order anything live. I did pick up 4 more Silkies. I couldn't resist their teeny, tiny CUTENESS!!! My fingers are crossed that they will all become one big happy family. But I'm OK with having 2 small happy families out there, I love them all!