Putting Silkies in with other chickens

[jhrutkay]

I have two silkies.........they are about 8 months old, maybe....not sure (I just got them about a week ago)

Is it OK to put the silkies in together with my other hens.........I do not have any roosters. I had them in with the other chickens for a few days but they seemed scared. Other hens did not seem to bother them a whole lot.......looked at them funny for a bit and picked at them a little, but when I checked on them the next day, they were both huddled in the corner looking scared. So, I took them out but now I want to put them back in if possible. It is easier to maintain them all in the same area.

Any advice is appreciated.

 

[SussexInSeattle]

Some of the damage may have already been done. You should quarantine ANY new chickens for a month before introducing them to your regular flock. New chicken can bring all sorts of problems into your existing flock.

To introduce them to your flock without any harm to them, they could be placed inside your barn in a large cage that everyone can see them but they can not peck them. They should be in that protective custody for about a week but you can place them on the roost with the others after dark, then move them back in their home cage so the others get used to not pecking them. Of course they need their own food and water in there.

 

[furley1229]

hi, i have 2 silkies 1hen ,1roo.i tied introducing them to my others and the others would beat them.silkies are so friendly and non aggressive they wont fight with other chickens.i keep mine away from my other chickens.

 

[msgenie516]

Hi,

I agree that you should quarantine. Other than that, my Silkies are very docile but I have them with an assortment of other hens and they are doing fine. But the Silkies were there first, with the others being added later, if that makes a difference.

There are 7 Silkies. The others include one EE, 2 Frizzles (also very docile), one little unidentified bantam, one Polish, and, believe it or not, 3 white Leghorns. I thought the Leghorns would pose a real problem, but they seem to ignore the Silkies. And I have even seen one of the Silkies chase a Leghorn away from some treats!

So I think it may depend on the individual personalities of the chickens. Good luck with your Silkies! Genie

 

[Fay at Frizzled Feathers]

I have silkies in with some of my bantam breeds and they do just fine but they were raised together so that might make the difference maybe,

 

[fivestring]

I have two 3 month old silkies I am working at introducing to my flock of a dozen assorted chickens.

Seven of the flock are 4 month old RIRs and BRs and they chase the silkies a lot. They don't really hurt the little silkies but let them know they are farther down the chain. I do notice each day the pecking gets less and less.

The silkies do stick together like glue and do huddle in the corner some. I did notice yesterday they ventured close to the flock to try for some of the treats I was dispersing. And when I give treats it's like a mini tackle football game but they were in there, vying for their share.

So I think they are working through the pecking order process. It appears brutal to us but I am keeping a close watch for true injuries. So far they are just fine. Albeit a little scared.