Silkies and Large Fowl Coexisting (help)

[ILikeBirds]

I'm fixen' to buy some silkie eggs withing these next couple weeks to hatch.

Do you guys think I am going to have any problems introducing the two broods once the silkies are large enough to defend themselves (10ish weeks old)? I always segregate the chickens in the same run for about a week before putting them together, but I'm sort of worried that the large fowl hens will be too aggressive. Especially if I end up keeping one of the silkie cockerels, will my large fowl rooster try to kill it?

I'm totally new to silkies, so go easy on me. Thanks for all of the help!

 

[Dry Creek Ranch]

If your silkies are anything like mine they will be just fine. It always amazes me when a silkie takes on a full size Black Copper Maran rooster and wins. I have seen turkeys and ducks back down to them. They are feisty.

 

[dsbailey70]

I've got two Partridge Silkies (both between 1-2 years old), and an EE and a BR (both are 6mo old). One of the Silkies is either Top Hen, or she's just good at being assertive. If the EE or BR get in her way while she's foraging, or they try to bully her, she pops them in the head! Once is usually enough...lol Mine all get along well. Just be sure to introduce them, and integrate them gradually. Check out the Chicken Chick's website; she's got good info on how to do it.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

I am on the opposite side of the fence. I don't keep my Silkies penned with LF breeds. Mine have large crests, and they do tend to get picked on or pushed out of the treats/feeders, so they have their own coop. If the size difference isn't an issue where the pecking order is concerned, you may encounter an issue elsewhere...and that'll be with your LF rooster and your Silkie hens. Just imagine a big rooster mating a bantam hen, and then draw your own conclusion as to whether its a good idea to house them together.

Where are you getting your eggs from? I have noticed that hatchery quality Silkies seem to do better in a mixed flock, probably because their crests are on the skimpy side and they can see better. When I tried mixing my big crested Silkies with my LF Cochins (who were very big, but docile by chicken world standards) the Silkies were flat out abused by them and they'd run themselves in the coop walls and fences trying to escape them.

Anyway, just my opinion. You might be fine mixing them, or you might not. But you should have a back up plan just in case there is an issue.

Good luck, you'll love your Silkies

 

[sagealbright]

My silkie roo does great in the flock even though all the girls and my other roo are bigger than him. He goes after my EE roo if he gets out of line. I have a silkie hen I will be integrating soon. I'm more worried about her since she is so small and a few of my bigger girls can be bullies. I think if you ingrate them very slowly and let them get used to each other for a while, you'll be fine.

 

[Dry Creek Ranch]

I purchased my Silkies from Cackle Hatchery and they had such large crests and beards that I had to trim them around their eyes just so they could see. I only have to do this once per molt. Once they can see they feed better and can take on anyone picking on them. I do have an issue where the Silikies want to roost under the chicken coops instead of in them. They lay their eggs in the nest boxes in the chicken coops but refuse to roost in them. I also noticed that they never roosted on the roosts (as low as 18") and instead slept on the floor if I kept them locked in the coop. I have only seen one of my silkie hens mated by a black copper maran rooster but he was a young rooster and would jump on anything that moved. I think if your larger breed rooster/hen ratio is large enough they leave the silkie hens alone.

 

[HighStreetCoop]

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I was amazed when I went out to visit another BYC member and saw her coop has everything from itty-bitty bantam breeds to ENORMOUS Orps. She must have 25 different breeds all comingled and they were just as peaceful and chill as you could ever ask them to be.

 

[Frank758]

My Rhode Island Reds and silkies together

 

[KingOfFools]

Little late but I have a black silkie hen not laying yet, and a black silkie roo that crowed his first last weekend. They are with big established girls and handle themselves well.