New to chickens new to BYC. Hi!

[DollBoll]

Hi I’m Holly,

Joining this forum to learn things the internet can’t teach !
I have 6 chickens, had them for about a month and they seem to be doing ok from what I can tell.
All are hybrids except one but different breeds, I have a silkie (not a hybrid), a Calder? (Brown/ginger), a black rock, a speckledy, a bluebell and a light Sussex they all have names !
They roost in a Wendy house except the silkie as she gets picked on - it’s not as bad anymore but I’m still worried they’ll hurt her if they’re confined.
I also have a tortoise and I’m a member of a tortoise forum and they helped me so much so I’m looking forward to being here )

 

[drumstick diva]

Hi Holly, Welcome to Backyard Chickens, the pulse beat of the chicken community

 

[DollBoll]

Thank you!

 

[feathermaid]

Sounds like you have a lovely mixed flock! The light Sussex is actually a heritage dual-purpose breed, not a hybrid. And silkies cannot fly, so will likely never roost with the others, but because of the unique down, will need to be protected from the elements a bit more than the others. Many folks offer a lower roost for their silkies and let the standard LF roost higher, this usually alleviates nighttime bullying.
Best wishes in your new chicken adventure!

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi Holly and welcome to BYC. Birds that “look” different can often be a source of bullying. Check out this link to rule out the space variable, if nothing else - Space requirements

Here are some links to useful resources:

• List of guides on how to use the site - “How to...” guides
• Great go-to resource - Learning Centre
• Good starting point for browsing the site - Articles
• Insightful feedback on how members manage their flocks - Topic of the Week back-catalogue
• Excellent sources of local information - U.S. States

Best wishes

Pork Pie

 

[DollBoll]

View attachment 1839014​

View attachment 1839015 Sounds like you have a lovely mixed flock! The light Sussex is actually a heritage dual-purpose breed, not a hybrid. And silkies cannot fly, so will likely never roost with the others, but because of the unique down, will need to be protected from the elements a bit more than the others. Many folks offer a lower roost for their silkies and let the standard LF roost higher, this usually alleviates nighttime bullying.
Best wishes in your new chicken adventure! View attachment 1839017

Yes I have a separate smaller coop and it’s very cozy for her and the others aren’t really using their perch but it’s all new for them as they didn’t have anything to roost on where I bought them. Also I need to fit a shelf or something in the Wendy house as their perch is pretty low and I would like it to be higher. Thank you for the welcome post

 

[DollBoll]

Hi Holly and welcome to BYC. Birds that “look” different can often be a source of bullying. Check out this link to rule out the space variable, if nothing else - Space requirements

Here are some links to useful resources:

• List of guides on how to use the site - “How to...” guides
• Great go-to resource - Learning Centre
• Good starting point for browsing the site - Articles
• Insightful feedback on how members manage their flocks - Topic of the Week back-catalogue
• Excellent sources of local information - U.S. States

Best wishes

Pork Pie

Hi, yes I figured this was the case she’s the oldest and she’s smaller than the others but they don’t pick on her as badly as they did at the start, it was bad she had her head on the ground trying to hide she was so scared

 

[CarpCharacin]

Welcome to BYC! We're glad you decided to join our wonderful community!

 

[fldiver97]

Welcome Nice to have you here!

 

[DobieLover]

Hello, Holly, and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.