So I have 4 13 week old chicks 2 RIR 1 Plymouth Rock and 1 polish, 2 were purchased together at 2 weeks, I introduced a 1 yr old Silkie to the group when they were 3 weeks trying to get her in there while she was bigger and there for hopefully won't get picked on, then got 2 more 4 week olds a week later. Everything has been going smoothly, the silkie has always been slightly separated from the other 4 who seem to move together as one. I saw the first signs of pecking order this week. No one has been pecked but I saw a RIR and the PR do a little face to face dance, nothing serious. Seems to be the PR will be top hen with out little argument. Then I noticed the Silkie hanging out in the nesting box the last few days. Thought maybe she was going broody but has still put out an egg each day and let me take them with no argument. So I put her out with the 4 teens and gave them treats THEN I noticed the silkie charging and giving the RIR and PR a few pecks (polish seems happy being a follower). This scared me, cause right now she's slightly smaller than the others. But they are growing fast .... And I'm afraid she is going to put up a fight for top hen and loose. She's not hurt at all but now I'm worried she has been in the coop cause of being too much of a loner, maybe being bullied or just trying to claim the throne in the coop??
So I'm trying to fix this before there becomes a problem and keep the peace. Would introducing another silkie be a good idea or awful? Give my little girl a friend? Or would it likely just be a new easy target for everyone to pick on. Like I said, as of right now everyone is relatively the same size, 13 weeks and only showing small signs except for the silkie who seems to be trying to keep the throne as she shrinks and the others grow. There all loved pets and I could not handle a fatality!!
Sorry for the length.
So I'm trying to fix this before there becomes a problem and keep the peace. Would introducing another silkie be a good idea or awful? Give my little girl a friend? Or would it likely just be a new easy target for everyone to pick on. Like I said, as of right now everyone is relatively the same size, 13 weeks and only showing small signs except for the silkie who seems to be trying to keep the throne as she shrinks and the others grow. There all loved pets and I could not handle a fatality!!
Sorry for the length.