I have a week to go before I should have chicks running around. Running around is what's worrying me.
I have two Silkies sitting on the eggs and I have all intentions of letting the girls raise them for the immunity and just because I don't want to raise this batch. I want to pack my brooder up after this last Ameraucana can go out with the others. So, here's my worry... My Silkies are low on the totem pole, but not usually bothered by anyone. I am afraid they won't be able to defend the chicks from the rest of the flock. I am talking about 4 large Orp cockerels with may to much testosterone and about 30 other pullets. So, should I go ahead and try letting them mingle with the rest of the flock, or should I build them their own little tractor? I am leaning towards a tractor, but since this is my first year with chickens and my first broody hatch, I am not sure how the flock dynamics work in these instances. I don't want to deal with an extra pen to take care of and I don't want to deal with integrating later - although most of them (all but one) will not be in the hen shed anyways. And, I don't want to lose any just because the tractor inconvenienced me.
I am hoping my broody OEGB who's been sitting for about a week kind of adopts them, too. Three moms are better than one... or two.
I have two Silkies sitting on the eggs and I have all intentions of letting the girls raise them for the immunity and just because I don't want to raise this batch. I want to pack my brooder up after this last Ameraucana can go out with the others. So, here's my worry... My Silkies are low on the totem pole, but not usually bothered by anyone. I am afraid they won't be able to defend the chicks from the rest of the flock. I am talking about 4 large Orp cockerels with may to much testosterone and about 30 other pullets. So, should I go ahead and try letting them mingle with the rest of the flock, or should I build them their own little tractor? I am leaning towards a tractor, but since this is my first year with chickens and my first broody hatch, I am not sure how the flock dynamics work in these instances. I don't want to deal with an extra pen to take care of and I don't want to deal with integrating later - although most of them (all but one) will not be in the hen shed anyways. And, I don't want to lose any just because the tractor inconvenienced me.
I am hoping my broody OEGB who's been sitting for about a week kind of adopts them, too. Three moms are better than one... or two.
