When to integrate two Silkie chicks with the rest of the flock?

[charlotte-and-the-bees]

I have 2 six week old silkies (as of today!) who have been doing pretty well being out with our older flock - all 5 were raised together, 4 are bantams. Only one of the older girls is being temperamental with the new babies (cochin bantam) but the rest have been sweet. They just do a few hours a day together.

At what point should I put them out in the coop with them overnight? Better to do it sooner than later, or wait til they’re a little bigger? They still seem so small in comparison.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Lemon-Drop]

I have 2 six week old silkies (as of today!) who have been doing pretty well being out with our older flock - all 5 were raised together, 4 are bantams. Only one of the older girls is being temperamental with the new babies (cochin bantam) but the rest have been sweet. They just do a few hours a day together.

At what point should I put them out in the coop with them overnight? Better to do it sooner than later, or wait til they’re a little bigger? They still seem so small in comparison.

Thanks in advance!

This is a great question! (I am going to have to integrate my silkies soon as well)

I would honestly just put them in sooner rather than later, as (I have heard) hens don't think smaller chicks are as big of a threat to them and the pecking order.

That being said, make sure its not going to be too cold.

I personally did the see not touch method, putting them in a small chicken tractor in the run, let them free range, (they did well) then put them together in the coop at night and they were fine in the morning so I decided to just let them stay integrated. (this was with other 6 week olds though, not silkies)