Silkies - They’re simply SPECTACULAR!

[CSolis]

When I was considering Roos for Blue Bonnet, it totally escaped my mind that I have nephews of hers. They are out of a full sister (I'm Blue Too) by a totally different line. Bear, daddy of this roo, was a line bred boy from my Silver Partridge roo named General Lee. I bred him back to his daughter and got Lil Running Bear. So, here's the new flock, small as it might be. Blue Bonnet, Bear's Boy, and a cousin from Blue's brother (splash) and a line of bantam BO's x Silkie. The BBO x Silkie cross was a daughter of General Lee too.

One Happy Family.

 

[Certified Chicken Lover]

Hi everyone! I just got two silkies so now I can finally join this thread! Here are some pics of my baby fluff balls! I was told one might be a buff silkie? What do y’all think?

 

[Timbers Happy Hens]

Hi everyone! I just got two silkies so now I can finally join this thread! Here are some pics of my baby fluff balls! I was told one might be a buff silkie? What do y’all think?
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Beautiful babies!! It could be buff, but it’s pretty dark. Possibly red! The buff silkies I’ve produced are usually a yellowish orange as chicks. Where did you pick them up? Hatchery chicks are usually the more basic colors where as breeders are where you get more specialty or “designer” colors.

 

[Elliemae1984]

Can I get everyone’s opinions on mixing silkie chicks with adults?

I’m going to set the most eggs I’ve ever set (probably around 20 which is a LOT for me) to hatch around the same time that I’ll be getting 8-10 day olds from a local breeder. IF I have a broody at the time I’ll use her/them, but I doubt I will due to time of year so I’ll have to break out the brooder.

I really don’t expect a good hatch rate from my eggs (my boys are still young and figuring things out lol) but I’m nervous that I will and they’ll grow out of my brooder faster than 8-12 weeks.

So, my question, what’s the youngest age you would add chicks in with adults if you were pressed for space? Any tips or tricks for introducing before the ~12 week mark?

 

[Timbers Happy Hens]

Can I get everyone’s opinions on mixing silkie chicks with adults?

I’m going to set the most eggs I’ve ever set (probably around 20 which is a LOT for me) to hatch around the same time that I’ll be getting 8-10 day olds from a local breeder. IF I have a broody at the time I’ll use her/them, but I doubt I will due to time of year so I’ll have to break out the brooder.

I really don’t expect a good hatch rate from my eggs (my boys are still young and figuring things out lol) but I’m nervous that I will and they’ll grow out of my brooder faster than 8-12 weeks.

So, my question, what’s the youngest age you would add chicks in with adults if you were pressed for space? Any tips or tricks for introducing before the ~12 week mark?

You can keep chicks together that are no more than 2 weeks apart usually.
As far as Introducing to an adult group, I’ve always integrated as soon as they were fully feathered and ready to be outside, typically the earliest is 6 weeks. It also depends on how cold it gets in your area. I’ve had very little issues but I also don’t really have any notorious bullies in my flock. If you have birds that will take advantage of a little guy that would be a problem. Hope this helps!

 

[chickengr]

Can I get everyone’s opinions on mixing silkie chicks with adults?

I’m going to set the most eggs I’ve ever set (probably around 20 which is a LOT for me) to hatch around the same time that I’ll be getting 8-10 day olds from a local breeder. IF I have a broody at the time I’ll use her/them, but I doubt I will due to time of year so I’ll have to break out the brooder.

I really don’t expect a good hatch rate from my eggs (my boys are still young and figuring things out lol) but I’m nervous that I will and they’ll grow out of my brooder faster than 8-12 weeks.

So, my question, what’s the youngest age you would add chicks in with adults if you were pressed for space? Any tips or tricks for introducing before the ~12 week mark?

it also depends on room they have. I had an adult flock of 4 and put 3 pullets that were about 3 mo. they killed one.

 

[Hinotori]

Can I get everyone’s opinions on mixing silkie chicks with adults?

I’m going to set the most eggs I’ve ever set (probably around 20 which is a LOT for me) to hatch around the same time that I’ll be getting 8-10 day olds from a local breeder. IF I have a broody at the time I’ll use her/them, but I doubt I will due to time of year so I’ll have to break out the brooder.

I really don’t expect a good hatch rate from my eggs (my boys are still young and figuring things out lol) but I’m nervous that I will and they’ll grow out of my brooder faster than 8-12 weeks.

So, my question, what’s the youngest age you would add chicks in with adults if you were pressed for space? Any tips or tricks for introducing before the ~12 week mark?

I usually move them in between 8 and 14 weeks depending on how much space I have. It works with my flocks temperaments. There will always be a bit of pecking order established. I've had no actually hostile adults, though.

Not unless the boys are older. Then the roosters may get hostile. I found 16 weeks was too old for boys to be easily accepted normally.

To add them younger, I'd add a well tempered hen or two in with the chicks a few days to a week before moving the whole lot to the pen. I have a coop just for broodies and their chicks, though. And have to make sure the chicks are fully feathered and accustomed to temps.

 

[chickengr]

I usually move them in between 8 and 14 weeks depending on how much space I have. It works with my flocks temperaments. There will always be a bit of pecking order established. I've had no actually hostile adults, though.

Not unless the boys are older. Then the roosters may get hostile. I found 16 weeks was too old for boys to be easily accepted normally.

To add them younger, I'd add a well tempered hen or two in with the chicks a few days to a week before moving the whole lot to the pen. I have a coop just for broodies and their chicks, though. And have to make sure the chicks are fully feathered and accustomed to temps.

at least 2 of my girls are really mean. my boys are good.

 

[Timbers Happy Hens]

at least 2 of my girls are really mean. my boys are good.

Do you have a separate area to keep the mean girls while the younger babies grow out a little in the larger space? Once they’re closer in size they should absolutely be able to stand up for themselves as long as there’s adequate space for them all. A little fighting in a flock is normal and fine as long as nobody is getting seriously hurt. If it gets to that point and a permanent separation isn’t possible some soft culls are usually the best option.
I had to make the unfortunate decision to rehome my favorite silkie roo after he almost took out the eye of my younger cockerel. It’s a hard decision but sometimes it’s better than risking someone getting hurt.

 

[chickengr]

Do you have a separate area to keep the mean girls while the younger babies grow out a little in the larger space? Once they’re closer in size they should absolutely be able to stand up for themselves as long as there’s adequate space for them all. A little fighting in a flock is normal and fine as long as nobody is getting seriously hurt. If it gets to that point and a permanent separation isn’t possible some soft culls are usually the best option.
I had to make the unfortunate decision to rehome my favorite silkie roo after he almost took out the eye of my younger cockerel. It’s a hard decision but sometimes it’s better than risking someone getting hurt.

this season I plan to keep them in a bigger run. they were in a rather small coop when that accident happened.