To silkie, or not to silkie?

[kburruano]

That is the question.
Being new to backyard chickens, I only purchased two for my son. Unfortunately, we just lost our one sweet girl. It's December, therefore cold, in PA and I'm in a desperate search for a companion for our remaining lady. I've got a lead on a silkie and a gray frizzle from a friend of a friend. Sunny, our current girl is a Rhode Island Red and White Rock Mix. I've no idea how to introduce and how to keep them warm and safe during winter or where to keep them during the day if they have to be separated. Any info is helpful!

 

[Mrs. K]

No, I would not add a silkie to an established RIR.

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC.

I'm not entirely sure what you're asking -- whether Silkies are an appropriate breed for you or how to integrate birds you've already decided on -- but I'll do my best.

First, where, in general, are you located? Climate matters.

Second, what is your coop and run like? Integration requires extra space beyond the 4 square feet in the coop/10 square feet in the run recommended minimums. Additionally, Silkies can't fly and need to have their coops built to accommodate that inability with low roosts/nests and ramps for them to go up and down.

Third, what are your expectations for your chickens? While Silkies have a great reputation as docile pets, they are poor layers, bad foragers, and persistent broodies who will require continual management if you aren't wanting them to hatch eggs multiple times per year.

Additionally, your existing girl is a large lady with RIR blood and that breed is frequently considered highly-dominant. Since Silkies are very docile and since chickens often pick at chickens who look different, it's possible that the breeds may not be compatible -- or they might, because there's no guarantees with living animals.

That said, here are some articles on integration:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-new-chickens-using-the-“see-but-don’t-touch”-method.67839/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/adding-to-your-flock.47756/

 

[Mrs. K]

Oh so sorry, did not mean to be rude. Meant to come across as factual. Space is incredibly important with introducing strange birds to each other. More space, works much better. Those are darling coops, but so many times they vastly overestimate the number of birds that will fit in there and be nice to each other.

Your yard/run looks good, plenty of space there, but your coop is small, especially if you get deep snow, and they have to stay in the coop. Smaller birds might work better in it.

Nothing meant derogatory to you, many people get those, and often times later on regret it.

Again, no intention of being rude was intended.

Mrs K

 

[3KillerBs]

Hi! You actually posted on my previous post "Lonely Girl". Ill repost a picture of my run. I'm in south eastern pa, about an hour and a half north of Philly. Weather is whacky. In the fifties today, gonna be sixties tomorrow and then cold. Anyway, the silkies r more for company for the solo gal, but laying would be nice. The only lead I've found on a chicken to get and keep this one company is a silkie and a gray grizzle. If I don't get those two, she will continue to be solo for the foreseeable future.

I'm sorry, I'm just as bad about names on internet forums as I am IRL.

Have you put an ad in the forums here? Or on Craigslist?

No one can say that your current lady will definitely not get along with a Silkie so if you really can't find any other bird you could certainly try it -- with your eyes open as to what you are getting into.

 

[LaFleche]

That's not what I want hear

I am sorry. Sometimes our wishes just don't live up to the reality.

 

[kburruano]

I'm new to chickens. I never imagined in my life how much there was to know

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Yes, and sadly that is what usually happens when mixing Silkies/Polish with normal breeds.

@Vickischics even built a separate coop for her Polish girls after one of them almost got killed by her normal layers.

I built a second coop for my silkies and other bantams for this very reason.

 

[Mrs. K]

Contact ideas:

• 4-h clubs
• feed stores
• poultry clubs
• craigslist ISO
• state group here

Someone else has chickens and might share with you. But your coop is very very small. The above idea of two bantams is not bad with that set up.

However, adding silkies to a RIR that is established is pretty guaranteed to be a wreck. Get her a full size friend.

Mrs K

 

[kburruano]

Welcome to BYC.

I'm not entirely sure what you're asking -- whether Silkies are an appropriate breed for you or how to integrate birds you've already decided on -- but I'll do my best.

First, where, in general, are you located? Climate matters.

Second, what is your coop and run like? Integration requires extra space beyond the 4 square feet in the coop/10 square feet in the run recommended minimums. Additionally, Silkies can't fly and need to have their coops built to accommodate that inability with low roosts/nests and ramps for them to go up and down.

Third, what are your expectations for your chickens? While Silkies have a great reputation as docile pets, they are poor layers, bad foragers, and persistent broodies who will require continual management if you aren't wanting them to hatch eggs multiple times per year.

Additionally, your existing girl is a large lady with RIR blood and that breed is frequently considered highly-dominant. Since Silkies are very docile and since chickens often pick at chickens who look different, it's possible that the breeds may not be compatible -- or they might, because there's no guarantees with living animals.

That said, here are some articles on integration:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-new-chickens-using-the-“see-but-don’t-touch”-method.67839/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/adding-to-your-flock.47756/

Hi! You actually posted on my previous post "Lonely Girl". Ill repost a picture of my run. I'm in south eastern pa, about an hour and a half north of Philly. Weather is whacky. In the fifties today, gonna be sixties tomorrow and then cold. Anyway, the silkies r more for company for the solo gal, but laying would be nice. The only lead I've found on a chicken to get and keep this one company is a silkie and a gray grizzle. If I don't get those two, she will continue to be solo for the foreseeable future.