Problems introducing silkie chicks to flock

[glloyd203]

Hey all, I've been keeping chickens for years but never had this much trouble introducing chicks to adult hens. I think it's because the chicks are silkies... I have only two adult hens (EE and Americauna, one laying one not yet) and one rooster, and now five silkie chicks (10-11 weeks old). I put them in the run two weeks ago but kept them separate with chicken-wire walls. About a week ago I started letting them have a few minutes here and there with the whole flock, but I would always pen them back in after they started getting pecked. Two days ago I opened up their pen entirely, thinking everyone would be ready to mingle... but it didn't go well. I have one chick who seems to have failure to thrive now, not eating or drinking and walking all hunched (who I have started hand-feeding EmerAid, which I got from the vet once when I had an bird who wasn't eating, hope it helps). Then I discovered that another chick was all filled up with air, which I deduced is probably a ruptured air sack due to injury from the hens chasing her. I "popped" her and I'm really hoping she makes it. Needless to say, they are now closed off from the big birds again, though still inside the run so they can all see each other. Any ideas as to how to give them a smoother transition, and when? I feel sooo bad for these sweet chicks! Look how stinkin' cute they are.

 

[sourland]

Sadly, because of their different look and generally mild temperament silkies frequently have problems integrating into established flocks. Raised with other fowl, they generally do well. Good luck on a monitored integration.

 

[glloyd203]

Sadly, because of their different look and generally mild temperament silkies frequently have problems integrating into established flocks. Raised with other fowl, they generally do well. Good luck on a monitored integration.

Yes, I've had silkies with other types of hens before, but they were raised by a Buff Orpington mom and I guess she defended them. Should I just keep them separate for a few more weeks?

 

[LaFleche]

So-called normal breeds would need to be raised together with Silkies to accept them.

I would give them their own coop and secure run and not try introduction again as it would probably end in dead Silkies.

 

[glloyd203]

So-called normal breeds would need to be raised together with Silkies to accept them.

I would give them their own coop and secure run and not try introduction again as it would probably end in dead Silkies.

The adult hens are still quite young... one hasn't even started laying yet. I don't know if I have the space or ability to give them a separate coop. Maybe they need to be sectioned off in this separate area of the run forever??

 

[Pollmadoll]

I would definitely let them grow older and stronger and definitely separate them from the others . I’ve had this problem as well integrating silkies to other chickens . Funnily enough I’ve got two Pekins , one Frizzle that is one years old . The two Pekins are sisters and they’re three years old and then I’ve got a white silky called Pompom and she’s definitely pushed away by the others . She is a bit of a loner sadly but I can see there is definitely a problem with silkies integrating with Pekins . One of the Pekins is mother to the frizzle chick I called this one FRAZZLE .