silkies in the mix

[tjb]

Good morning! I hope that someone has some input here...
I would like to add a couple of silkies to my mix. Would they be safe to add to my coupe of EE/RIR. I would be incubating the eggs and slowly introducing them to the flock... I do have a rooster in the coop...

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Good morning! I hope that someone has some input here...
I would like to add a couple of silkies to my mix. Would they be safe to add to my coupe of EE/RIR. I would be incubating the eggs and slowly introducing them to the flock... I do have a rooster in the coop...

My Silkies do fine among my large fowl flock. I eliminate any relentless bullies.

I removed them when I added a large fowl rooster though... to prevent ACCIDENTAL mating injuries.

I have one Red beeyotch who tries to mount my Silkie juveniles. But once Silkies mature... they can be just as ornery as the big girls... And don't dare mess with them once they've learned the power of broody hormones! Half my flock was missing front neck feathers from tangling with mama... just for walking by!

Regardless of breed... all my chicks go to a tractor (about 3 weeks old) and are usually integrated by 6-8 weeks of age. Younger is better in my experience than others who like to wait until the chicks are the same size. They aren't seen quite as the same competition that teenagers are in the flock... and the roos are USUALLY good with chicks.

Silkies ARE a labor of love for me. They are kinda special needs. Some are straight dumb and never learn how to get on roost... even if it's only 12 inches high. While others can jump all the way to the top of the outdoor dining table. Way to broody, in my experience. And broody's are precious and amazing if you have chicks for them to raise. But otherwise, they aren't much fun with their cranky squealing and pecking. Well... OK it IS kinda funny to mess with them!