Don't know how it works for others, but I had about 15 standard hens, various breeds--EE, black australope, RIR, etc. Took in a silkie roo that someone in the city had to get rid of. I put him in with the standard hens and they all accepted him. No one picked on him. I was worried where he would roost, as Silkies aren't supposed to be able to get on anything high. The 2nd night, he was dead center of the 4 ft roost, with 7 or 8 hens on each side of him, and that is how they roosted from then on. He kept himself busy keeping all the hens happy, and the eggs were fertile. Hatched several hatches of Silkie/various standards crosses. Some came out very cute. Most had crests (none of my hens did, so that was the Silkie part) but none ever had the Silkie feathering, as you have to have the Silkie gene on both sided for that. Most of the feathers were rimmed with white or black, sort of like Gold or Silver Laced wyandotte feathers. Beautiful coloring.
I have now lost my regular Silkie pen roo, so he has retired to the Silkie pen, and is now with 10 silkie hens, and I have hatched from them. Babies in the garage brooders now. But I digress. Sorry.
I have now lost my regular Silkie pen roo, so he has retired to the Silkie pen, and is now with 10 silkie hens, and I have hatched from them. Babies in the garage brooders now. But I digress. Sorry.
