Silkies outside/size/feathers?????

[m2wandc]

I have two silkies that spend the days outside, but not the nights yet...they are 7 weeks old (yesterday) sooo next Wednesday they will be 8 weeks old... (they have been kept in a small crate within the chicken coop...so they have been 'around' the other girls, but not 'with' them yet)

Questions:

1) at 8 weeks are they considered 'fully feathered' ?

2) at 8 weeks are they ready to endure outside temps at night (typically nothing lower then 50)

3) at 8 weeks are their bodies 'fully grown'?

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suggestions on making this transition smooth...they will be snuck (sp?) into the coop at night when the bigger girls are sleeping...and I'm fearful of finding dead silkies in the AM? ??? but was told that's the best way to 'introduce them to the flock'

There won't be any light or monitor in the coop at night, so I have to put them in there and hope for the best...(way nervous about this)!

 

[m2wandc]

Anyone???

 

[feather leg farms]

I might would try one night a week for two weeks and see how they do. Then two then whatever you want.

 

[KellyHM]

Have the big girls seen them while they're out during the day? The transition will be easier if they already are familiar with each other. The temp outside should be fine.

 

[m2wandc]

yes...the little chickens (7 weeks old silkies) are in a dog crate that is IN the chicken run during the day (and have been for a few weeks now)...so the big girls (9.5 weeks BO & BR) are in the coop surrounding the dog crate...the can 'peck at each other' thru the wire if they want to...

...then in the late afternoon/early evening, I bring the silkies inside to their brooder in the house and let the big girls go into their coop on their own at night...later go out and shut the door.

***

The thing that scares me is the first time I tried to let them all roam together, I opened the dog crate and let the silkies out...and during the process spilled the water...so water was trickling in the dirt and both the BR & one silkie went to investigate and WOW...did the BR give the silkie a peck at the head that left it shaking and totally stunned for a while afterwards...I immediately intervened and took the silkies inside...which I later regreted, because I should of given them some time to see how it played out. ???

 

[KellyHM]

There's going to be some pecking while the big girls make sure the Silkies know they're the boss. As long as nobody's getting bloody I would just let them work it out.

 

[m2wandc]

Quote:
How does one tell 'bloody' on a black colored silkie??

 

[Year of the Rooster]

I can only answer your 3rd question; Silkies are not fully grown at 8 weeks. There is still a lot more growing and filling out to do.

 

[m2wandc]

Quote:
We gave it a try this afternoon...the silkies were in the coop having their time while the big girls were free ranging around the outside...so I opened the door and let the big girls in...they went in...didn't seem to care much about the silkies and then about 3 minutes later the barred rock started chasing and pecking at the silkie roo...and occassionally the silkie pullet...but she hid better then the roo did...and the BR would chase and peck and chase and peck and the silkies would huddle and hid in the corner it was very sad to watch...so we put the big girls to bed in their coop and brought the silkies in the house to their brooder...unsure of what to do???

I put an "ad" in the sell, buy, trade section to see if there is someone looking for a silkie pair (roo & pullet I'm pretty sure) that they will take together, because the pair do adore each other and feel completely lost when they are separated...they huddle together all the time...

SOooo I will continue to 'TRY' to get these four chickens to live happily ever after, but if I can find someone who wants the two silkies and will give them a good home for the duration of their life, I'd probably part with them....