Different Breed Interactions

[AnneandApril]

Hey there! I am thinking about getting a new chicken, maybe a Dominique hen. I have a silkie and am not sure how they will do together. I have read that Dominiques are a very docile and friendly breed. They also tend to be down near the bottom of the pecking order. They are a smaller breed, just not as small as silkies. I just don't know if they will get along. I also might just get more silkies, which would be awesome and I would never complain, even though I can only have hens where I live. Please respond with any tips or if you have any other breed suggestions that might be helpful.

 

[Squishychicken]

orps,polish,cochins or Brahama

 

[AnneandApril]

orps,polish,cochins or Brahama

@Squishychicken thanks so much!!

 

[RUNuts]

Purpose? Pet or egg layer?

My Leghorns are the most intense. Barred Rocks and RIR are medium and the New Hampshires are chill. These are Ideal Hatchery stock so eggs are my goal.

Best wishes!

 

[AmazingRachel]

Cochins and Buff Orpingtons

 

[Chullicken]

Always good practice to keep similar sized birds with each other, bantams really should have their own specific pen area. Can it work with standards and bantams, sure. Does it always? No. Think playing it safe with more silkies or other bantams will be imo your best bet. Can't wait to see your new additions.

 

[Folly's place]

Silkies are fragile, and seem to do best either with other Silkies, or smaller docile breed types. Bantam Cochins, Brahmas, or Salmon Favorelles?
Mary

 

[AnneandApril]

@RUNuts - I would definitely like an egg layer. My silkies have never payed very many eggs. I would definitely have to go with the New Hampshire's out of those options just for the chillness.

@Chullicken - Thanks for the comment. I agree that smaller breeds should be kept with smaller breeds even though it can work otherwise sometimes. More silkies would be ideal minus the egg laying. They aren't very good egg layers except for an egg every here and there.

@Folly's place - I agree with you 100%. I would totally go with Salmon Favorelles. They are great egg layers and are bantam sized.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Not sure if you're aware (I wasn't) that Silkies got a "soft spot" on the top of their heads & if pecked can be disasterous. I would agree that a bantam breed (Orpingtons, Cochin, Brahmas) would be safe, better yet MORE SILKIES

Which ever you decide go careful with the introduction, See but No Touch is a good intro. Have fun adding to your flock ... Chicken Math is scary, ha ha

 

[AnneandApril]

@ChickNanny13 - I wasn't aware of the soft spot on silkie's heads. Thanks for bringing that up. I will definitely be using be See But Don't Touch method. It comes in very handy.