silkie chickens

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TheBayneFarm

TheBayneFarm

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I just got two silkies. They are 2 1/2 months old. We also have three ameraucanas and two orpingtons. I was wondering if anyone has mixed their silkies with the rest of the flock and how it went.
thanks!
 
Welcome to BYC!! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

Silkies introduced to other chickens who are not used to their different feather type are usually very bullied. Be very careful and cautious.
 
Hello :frow and Welcome To BYC! X2, Silkies can be a problem in a mixed flock, getting bullied and getting their crests plucked, be careful combining them. I do have mine running with the other birds, but they are basically free ranging and have a separate place in the barn where they tend to stay where the other chickens don't roost.
 
Thank you! I put them in with the other chickens this morning for a few hours while I supervised. The ameraucanas chased them a bit. Other than that it went well.
We will see if it continues to go well or not. The lady I got them from said they should do ok with other chickens. I didn't do enough research I guess :/
wish me luck!
 
Hello and welcome to BYC!
frow.gif


Yes, Silkies can get bullied in a flock without other Silkies. The general procedure for mixing birds is to keep the new bird or birds in a cage or fenced off area but within the flock at all times. Everybody sees, nobody touches. Mixing them in right away can lead to a lot of blood shed and even death. Usually birds are kept within view of each other for several weeks so they get to know each other from behind wire. This also allows for quarantine time for diseases.

So be very careful with your new bird for several days, especially if locked up in the coop or close quarters. Make sure to put out a couple feeding and watering stations so that the new bird does not have to compete. The more competition, the more likely she will be picked on.

Good luck with your flock!
 
They are doing great!!! They all get along really well together. I had them separate but able to see each other for about two weeks. Once they got in the same coop they adjusted really quickly.
 

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