As of today, my little flock is down to two. Lost a BCM to a coyote a few months ago and my EE died this afternoon of unknown causes. Just two little bantams left, a Mille Fleur d'Uccle and a Silkie. Both as sweet as can be and very lonely without their big sisters. I don't have a set-up with a separate pen that would allow me to gradually introduce new birds. Do I have to wait until my Silkie goes broody to introduce new chicks? I've heard that Silkies are natural at mothering but is that only in the case of them being broody? I realize this is not the time of year to be looking for chicks but seeing these two by themselves makes me think I need a plan...
this time of year is not the time to add young chicks. Hens usually only take new chicks to raise when they are broody (even just a couple days a silkie will happily take chicks placed under her at night) but some hens occassionaly have such a strong mothering instinct they'll just randomly take chicks into their care - but this is rare. Introduction, get older birds not chicks to introduce to them unless your hen goes broody. atleast 3 month olds who can relatively fend for themselves. With 2 honestly if possible remove them from their normal pen (put them in a kennel or something for a few days) add the new birds to your current pen for 2-3 days before re-introducing your adult hens. This will kind of give the new birds some confidence and take away some of the power from the older hens when you do this.
Thanks, SOS, this is good advice. I guess I would have to try to find some started pullets or more likely, wait until spring. I'm in So Cal and it stays pretty warm here in the winter, but as you say, it doesn't seem to be the right season for adding to the flock. Do you think my two bantams will be okay with just each other for awhile?
