what should i do

[silkieowner]

Hi everyone as you all know i just got 3 new silkie hens there in with our other chooks but there picking on them, That bad there plucking them and eatting there plucked feathers. My new silkies are too scared to move cause if they do the ISA browns jump on them. I have got a bird avairy that i keep my bird cages with my birds in. I could put my birds in the shed and put my new silkies in the avairy till i get another chicken coop. Do you think i should sperate them or leave them for a while. I don't want them to get hurt, there too scared to do anything.

 

[cristal87]

Hi i would seperate them. they may not be hurting them bad right now but that can change fast. did you let them get used to each other befor you put them in the coop

 

[silkieowner]

I just got them yesterday we got home at night and were put straight in the coop with the other chickens, So no they didn't really get used to eachother. My dad doesn't want me too sperate them he said you just got them they need to set a pecking order. How long does that take?

 

[Shifty Joe]

A week or two... you do need to ensure the pecking isn't too hard. The recommendation I always follow is to introduce them with the newbies separated by a wired cage or fence. This allows them to develop some of the pecking order without actually pecking. After a week of this, slip them in at night. This has made merging flocks much easier.

 

[rancher hicks]

Sorry to disagree with your Dad but it can get very ugly. Silkies are to fragile compared to ISA browns. Not to mention the size factor. You can give it a try but I would watch for any signs of red. Had they all been raised together as chicks it might have worked but considering they're older it will be a little bit harder.
Not to mention the fact that they should have been quarantined for some time.

 

[featherbaby]

They need to be in a wire cage inside the cage with the others. That way they can see each other but not hurt each other. Then after a few days or a week, at night, take them out and sneak them into the nesting/roosting group so they wake up with each other. This method has worked wonders for me and others that told me about it. Just letting them set the order by themselves will get some of them injured or killed. You don't need the hassle of having to separate and treat sick birds.

 

[silkieowner]

they weren't raised together but my new silkies are older then the ISA browns but younger the the light sussexs, The other chickens seem to give a quick peck hold down then let go but the ISA browns won't give up as soon as they move they jump on them etc.