What are the chances?

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Wow....so much to take in. If I had known all this, I probably wouldn't have included a Silkie in the group. Others on a thread I started in the turkey section of this forum didn't mention the potential dangers.

The turkey varieties we bought are heritage, the mature size of which, thankfully, won't be significantly as "huge" as that of the BB. Unfortunately, though, we don't have a separate setup for them. All our birds free-range and cohabit together. However, do you suggest that once Schnitzel is old enough to thrive without artificial heat, I put it in with my 4-week-old chicks to prevent further bonding with the poults?

~Alex

The thing is no one has problems mixing the species until they have a dead chicken. Mine are heritage too. They are very active birds. One peck to your silkies skull could be enough to kill it.

I'm not saying my turkeys walk around murdering chickens, but it's always a possibility especially when birds are kept together 24/7 and the chickens can't get away. I personally wouldn't keep silkies with other large breeds of chickens either. Silkies are a bit odd and they can get in trouble because of their behaviors and inability to see well.

I'm a bit too cautious at times, but I unfortunately learned many of my lessons the hard way. I can only recommend stuff based on my experiences, and mistakes.

It may help to get the silkie away from the poults and let the poults mature away from the chickens, but you can only do what you are set up for. If you ever see any aggression out of those turkeys towards your chickens be ready to separate them out.

 

[Alexandra33]

The thing is no one has problems mixing the species until they have a dead chicken. Mine are heritage too. They are very active birds. One peck to your silkies skull could be enough to kill it.

I'm not saying my turkeys walk around murdering chickens, but it's always a possibility especially when birds are kept together 24/7 and the chickens can't get away. I personally wouldn't keep silkies with other large breeds of chickens either. Silkies are a bit odd and they can get in trouble because of their behaviors and inability to see well.

I'm a bit too cautious at times, but I unfortunately learned many of my lessons the hard way. I can only recommend stuff based on my experiences, and mistakes.

It may help to get the silkie away from the poults and let the poults mature away from the chickens, but you can only do what you are set up for. If you ever see any aggression out of those turkeys towards your chickens be ready to separate them out.

I suppose everyone's experiences vary, since birds themselves are every bit as individual as humans.

In other words, there's always risk involved when poults are in the picture. Since I'm brand new to the world of turkeys, every day is one for learning. But as for the chickens, I'm not worried about Schnitzel with larger breeds. I've raised Silkies with standards before, not to mention housed them in a shared coop alongside birds 2-3 times their size, with zero issues. I think I'll be choosing the lesser of the two evils, which is integrating this little Silk with my last group.

One can't be too careful. And I thank you for sharing your knowledge with me! It's always welcome.

Around here, a bird that's disturbing flock harmony ends up on the dinner table. We love these poults to death already, but if they start harassing the chickens to the point of physical harm, we simply won't tolerate it.

~Alex

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I suppose everyone's experiences vary, since birds themselves are every bit as individual as humans.

In other words, there's always risk involved when poults are in the picture. Since I'm brand new to the world of turkeys, every day is one for learning. But as for the chickens, I'm not worried about Schnitzel with larger breeds. I've raised Silkies with standards before, not to mention housed them in a shared coop alongside birds 2-3 times their size, with zero issues. I think I'll be choosing the lesser of the two evils, which is integrating this little Silk with my last group.

One can't be too careful. And I thank you for sharing your knowledge with me! It's always welcome.

Around here, a bird that's disturbing flock harmony ends up on the dinner table. We love these poults to death already, but if they start harassing the chickens to the point of physical harm, we simply won't tolerate it.

~Alex

 

[Allie❤️Chickens]

Sounds complicated to keep different birds together. I only have my sweet flock of chickens so I have no advice for you.
Also, my baby silkie has started to learn to fly, and is snacking on mill worms when she gets the chance. She is so much bigger!! Her feathers are getting so fluffy and cute, too! She’s also getting that little bit of fluff in the very top of her head! I can’t believe how fast all my chickens have grow/are growing up!!