Silkies

[poupoule]

Hi there,

I am thinking of getting one or two silkie hens. I already have 2 pekin battam hens (not pure breed) and a Aracauna cross (Silkie? He has that nice silkie feathery down on his head and is quiet small) rooster. I was wondering what people think about mixing those birds with some silkie hens. I want to get some silkies as pet for my young kids as well as for brooders. How many should I buy? I appreciate your input.

Poupoule

 

[Silkiefan]

I had to get rid of my Silkie roo because he was waking the neighbors... so I got a Barred Rock pullet (another of my longtime favorite breeds). I am limiting myself to just two chickens since I live in town, so I was nervous about making introductions... you know, being a size and age difference... but after the second day, there were no problems, and the Silkie accepted the new chick just fine.
If you're asking if Silkies are good for pets, then YES. My girl is very docile... in some of my recent posts replies, I mentioned that we plunk Pei Pei down anywhere in the house, and she adapts to what's going on. She's content to sit and watch tv, or be in the yard scratching... sometimes she even stares off into space daydreaming chicken stuff...
I chose Silkies because they are a nice size for indoor pets. Mine can be aloof... I've read some folks posts saying theirs were very friendly, so Pei Pei must just be - like I said - aloof. Go for it! Get Silkies!

 

[poupoule]

Thanks. You seem to enjoy your silkies!

My question is more about the number of silkies I should get. Would only one (Silkies are hard to find here and quiet dear) will be allright in the company of 2 batams and a rooster, or should I get two?

 

[Silkiefan]

oh... I see now. Um, I've heard that chickens like to be with like breeds and similar sized birds... and now I've heard that my little BR has sleeping troubles because she's younger than the Silkie. Maybe two then? Or three in case one is a rooster or one gets sick...

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

I'd get 3 because you don't know what might happen to one. Chickens are very social animals that live off of others' company. And if you get them together, they'll all know each other. Trust me, it'd be a pain in the neck if one got sick and had to be seperated or one was attacked and killed, and you only had two birds. The other remaining bird would indeed feel a loss. So, I think 3 is a fair and safe number.

I like my Silkie hen. She has character and is very friendly. We had a Silkie rooster, however, that was very aggressive. They're tiny things but sometimes carry the mean gene, if you know what I'm getting at.

But I've only heard good things about hens, so as long as you know what you're getting, you'll have no problem.

Just remember to isolate the birds for approx. 2 weeks to make sure they aren't sick and infect your current flock. Then intoduce them slowly.

 

[poupoule]

Thanks for that. I didn't think of isolation. Great advice!!!

I found someone who can sell me a pair or a trio. I hesitaetd as I already have a rooster (Anacauna x silkie). And I only have one coop. Would they fight (I mean the 2 roosters) or would they go on, as silkies meant to be very docile?

 

[Feathered Gal]

I have a "mixed" henhouse. I don't know of any reason not to have a mix of types.

I have 2 full size Aracuna, a bantam wyandotte, and had 2 Bantam Brahmas... lost a Brahma to varmit... so went out and bought a Silkie. She went to bottom of the pecking order -whree the Wyandotte had been before.... of course... and was harassed a bit by the Alpha hen... but things settled down.
Sometimes I see the Alpha hen chase her a bit -- but that's mostly for show.

I will say this -- my Silkie (hen) is the noisiest hen I've ever heard!
She has a very different "voice" from my other hens.... sometimes she is so loud I am afraid my neighbors will think she is a rooster...
LOL
She doesn't like to be picked up. My most docile hen is the remaining Bantam Brahma -- If I had a dozen of those girls I would be happy - they are sweet hens - and good layers.
Cheryl

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

My Silkie rooster always fought the other roosters and always clawed his way to the top. But just a guess, your current rooster will know that the Silkie rooster is present (when you introduce them) and most likely put him in his place. Mr. Silkie might, as Silkies would be, act like Mr. Brave, and fight back. Whoever wins will win. Don't break up a fight unless someone is bleeding from somewhere. If there is blood, take the bleeding bird and separate them until they are healed. Sadly, the bird who was taken away will either be at the bottom of the pecking order and beaten into submission when he returns OR he will fight back again and either win or lose.

My Silkie never lost a fight until I challenged him. Bare in mind that introducing some birds can be a long and painful process. You might be surprised who does the attacking. I find that the birds in my flock that beat up on the newbies are usually the ones that are lower in the pecking order and have had to claw their way to get food, water, and a good place on the roost from the more dominant birds.

 

[SunshineSilkies]

Once you get one Silkie, you'll HAVE to get more!!

 

[jdibs]

We have three silkies who are the sweetest things in the world. We got them because I read them described as "the lap dog of the chicken world." So true. We spend lots of time with them and bring them treats during the day. When we enter the yard they come running. Literally. It's too adorable. We have a rabbit who's occasionally in the yard with them and they sometimes gang up on her, but she hops away and they're ridiculously proud of themselves for scaring her off. Silkies have oodles of personality.