Silkie bantams with larger chicken breeds

[Happychickie]

I am new to the chicken world and want to make sure doing everything right . My question is with 14 regular sized to larger sized chickens being raised up at same time as Silkie Bantams will they all get along and can we house them together? I have read so many mixed reviews on this subject. When I ordered the lady said she houses her's together and they are fine which I said great I would love to have a couple of Silkies then! I am expecting 1 day old chicks around April 17th that are : 2 Silver Wyandotte hen's , 1 Silver cuckoo maran hen , 2 light Brahma hens, 4 Easter Egger hens, 2 Buff Brahma hen's, 2 Barred Plymouth Rock hen 1 Australorp and then the 2 Buff Silkie Bantams. I did request all hen's but I know that things happen and sometimes you get a rooster. ;o) Also if the silkies are fine with my others should I have a couple more so they have each other? And last but not least Roosters what if I get a large to regular rooster or two? Is that fine to leave or should I find home for? Don't want them to hurt the Silkies or fight. Our new coop is a 10 X 10 and covered play run over 400 sq ft amongst trees for shade. Want to also let them out to our 3 acres to free range but will have to see as we have LOTS of predators and BIG Hawks still need to research on how folks deal with that? Ok I think my one question that turned into a few is done for now. Thanks

 

[Toshi]

Yes, if they are brooded together they should be just fine. A lot of people brood standered chicks with batny chicks.

1. Yeah you should have a few skilies so they will roost together at nights. Silkies can't fly and don't like to roost up to high. They like low to the ground roost it seems. Unless you have a ramp for them to use.

2. As for the roosters if you don't want them then you can always get rid of them. Some hatcheries don't sex their banties like their silkies. But i heard some standered size roos don't bother the bantys that much, but you still have a risk of him hurting them because of their size.

As for hawks good luck, you might need to get a rooster then if you have them. Even a smaller roo will help call out for the girls to run under cover. Or let them out when you are home only and watch them. Thats what i do with mine. But i have a big SS roo who is like 13 pounds.

 

[Happychickie]

Thank you! Is there a breed I choose that you would recommend I cancel because aggressive? I tried to do research and I "think" the ones I chose are sweet but nice to hear others chicken owners opinions. ;o) Also should I do 4 Silkies instead of 2?

 

[Toshi]

Nope i think you picked a good flock there. All those breeds tend to be pretty sweet. I heard the brahma chickens are like dogs lol. I think two would be ok. But if you want to add more to your order go for it.

Then again someone who has silkies might say something here. I don't have silkies but just from what i read on here, they like to sleep low tot he ground or pile up in a corner or something like that. But i think if you have a ramp up to the roost that is not steep then they should be able to get up and roost with the others.