silkie question updated**

[artsyrobin]

I have what i suspect are 2 silkie roos, under 6 months, and a duccle pullet- will there be problems with that set up? i was hoping the silkies were pullets, but one for sure is a roo, and i suspect the other is also

 

[Smartie_Pants]

Yes, there will. In my experience, anything less than a 5:1 ratio (5 hens : 1 roo) causes a lot of fighting, over breeding, and injuries. Your two roos will fight over the one hen, and that poor girl will be so overbred its not funny.

 

[Silkiemama]

You should try to find a new home for one of the roo's; there will be alot of fighting for dominance as they get more mature; and even if the boys manage to work out their differences, your single little pullet will definitely get overused, maybe even hurt in the process.

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

Yes, you need more hens or less roos. i have a similar problem. i have one pen with four-month-old silkies, three roos and two pullets. Unless i can incorporate at least two of those roos into one of my other groups, it's going to get ugly fast.

 

[artsyrobin]

here is the one i am unsure about, after the bath, that way you can see the face better- he also has walking problems, have video on my flickr - i really am hoping i am wrong, but he will be the one to stay if he is a roo- the splash started crowing yesterday...

 

[Chickenmaven]

I question the ratios that have been offered. (Sorry.

).
I had 2 Silkie roos and one standard roo in with 27 hens and it was a battle a week. The little guys tore into the big one. Put him in the "chicken hospital" (my basement) more than a couple times.

I now have only the two Silkie roos and they fight.

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

Hard to tell from the wet picture, but looks like a pullet in that pic. Do you have a link to your video on flickr?

 

[artsyrobin]

sorry- here it is...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rgortonart/sets/72157621771410087/

 

[max101]

look like a pullet

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

Wow, has it always walked that way, or is that recent? Looks like a balance problem, possibly neurological. Have you had it checked out by a vet?