Undecided over to get Silkies or not

[ChickenOwner2313]

We have been considering raising a couple of Silkies to add to the coop, but we are undecided because some people say they would be severely picked on and maybe killed, in which I am afraid. What do you think I should do?

 

[Welshies]

I think it depends on your coop. How large is it? Are there areas where those Silkies could get cornered? These things can be the deciding factor between fitting in and dying.
Also, how do you plan to integrate them? People raise Silkies in a mixed flock more successfully if they raise them with the other breeds from hatching, versus introducing chicks or adults.
If you have standard sized breeds don't integrate bantam Silkies.
Also consider how many feeders you have, and waterers. The current flock is more apt to be territorial if there is only one feeder and water.

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

It all depends. Are your chickens exceptionally mean? Do you have some that are bullies? If so, you would need to either get rid of them, or house your Silkies separately. Keep in mind, Siles are more 'strange' looking, so that attracts more pecking. You need to make sure you have enough room for the silkies to get away, and separate feeders. Be very careful when introducing them. You would need to put them in a cage, so your other chickens can see them. After a while, you might let them with your chickens for a while, and watch carefully. Don't let them out without supervising, unless you have watched, and our chickens are doing fine with them.

 

[Folly's place]

Many people have Silkies in a separate coop because it does keep them safer. Good advice already here!
I had a few a long time ago, and wasn't thrilled with them. I didn't know how fragile they were, and that they needed special care. When they all died off, I never replaced them.
There are so many interesting chicken breeds, I've just headed in other directions in my flock.
Mary

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

Many people have Silkies in a separate coop because it does keep them safer. Good advice already here!
I had a few a long time ago, and wasn't thrilled with them. I didn't know how fragile they were, and that they needed special care. When they all died off, I never replaced them.
There are so many interesting chicken breeds, I've just headed in other directions in my flock.
Mary

I've had some, and they didn't get any different care than the other chickens.

 

[Welshies]

I've had some, and they didn't get any different care than the other chickens.

Just my two cents- I've heard them referred to as "special needs" by a few people on BYC. Although I have never had them myself.

 

[Harmony Fowl]

Not for me. All it’s taken is one to reinforce the impression I already had that they required more support to just be chickens than others. Obviously some don’t need anything extra and many people love giving that extra support even when they do need it and have them anyway. Great if that’s you, but not for me.

 

[FishMtFarm]

I have silkies, a lot of them. I also have RIRs, Wyandottes, and golden comets mixed in. They all get along but my coop is also large with two feeders. With space, they can coexist. They all even sleep together.

 

[ChickenOwner2313]

Thank you everyone! We will carefully consider this well given advice!

 

[JaeG]

It depends on your other breeds and also how much of a topknot your Silkies have (whether they can see where they are going or not - the ones labelled 'dumb' are generally the ones that can't see a thing around their head fluff)! Our girl can see just fine and she needs nothing extra from us, though she is kept with other bantams. I'd put them with docile light breeds, but I'd steer clear of keeping them with heavy breeds - there's just too much of a size difference between them and the silkies. Bantam game breeds do well with the larger birds because they are spunky and fast, but your more ornamental, fluffy bantams don't cope so well (unless you have a lot of space).