Single Silkie--what to do now?

[Hootrvil]

Hello--I purchased some silkie eggs (15) from a local breeder. In the same incubator, I had 10 BYM. Out of these eggs, one silkie hatched and 7 of the BYM.
After candling on day 8, I knew the silkies were mostly unfertilized (so aggravating!).
But I still had hope for 4.
My issue is how do I raise this one lone silkie with large fowl breeds?
She is doing great and I had her separated with one BYM. for company, but now they are all running together in the brooder. No issues at this stage, but I'm worried about what happens when they're older.
I've already got a coop ready for the silkies, but I can't put just one in there.
Should I order some silkie chicks from a nursery? Any suggestions?

 

[igorsMistress]

Hi there. If the silkie is fine running with the rest then I would let it be. It needs friends and it doesn’t seem like there’s a problem. This chick will grow up with the rest and will be part of the flock, even when they’re older.

If you want a separate flock of silkies then yes, order some chicks. Raise them where they can be seen by the others but they can’t mingle for a while, then you can integrate everyone after a month or so.

Were you planning to keep the flocks separated so you can have purebred chicks in the future of each kind? If so after integrating them you can move the lone silkie in with the newbies after they’re all used to each other. Do this at night , moving from one coop to the other after dark. Then monitor in the morning to make sure all is well.

 

[SueT]

They will probably be fine! I've raised bantams with large breeds, no problems. In fact, we have some half-bantams as a result!

 

[HollowOfWisps]

My bantams have no issues being with my larger breeds.

 

[Hootrvil]

Hi there. If the silkie is fine running with the rest then I would let it be. It needs friends and it doesn’t seem like there’s a problem. This chick will grow up with the rest and will be part of the flock, even when they’re older.

If you want a separate flock of silkies then yes, order some chicks. Raise them where they can be seen by the others but they can’t mingle for a while, then you can integrate everyone after a month or so.

Were you planning to keep the flocks separated so you can have purebred chicks in the future of each kind? If so after integrating them you can move the lone silkie in with the newbies after they’re all used to each other. Do this at night , moving from one coop to the other after dark. Then monitor in the morning to make sure all is well.

I was going to put the silkies in with the adult Polish at one point. that is why I have the second pen. As long as they can grow up with the larger fowl, I will have time to make it work with the polish...introductions, etc. This is good news!

 

[Hootrvil]

My bantams have no issues being with my larger breeds.

This is fabulous news! So far as chicks, they've been just fine, but was worried about the future
Thank you!

 

[Hootrvil]

They will probably be fine! I've raised bantams with large breeds, no problems. In fact, we have some half-bantams as a result!

Thank you for the reassurance...in the brooder, everyone is getting along, just worried about the future!

 

[nicoleb875]

i'm not sure this helps but I raised a goose and a chicken together from day 1 they have been the best of friends up til recently when the chicken got sick.... fortunately my goose is not as horribly upset as I had expected her to be especially since whatever was going on with her claimed her last night. after a run of bad luck this year I now have a lone silkie in with my goose... before it was 2 silkies an easter egger the goose and an americana chicken we adopted from a family friend who lost his wife.

 

[Hootrvil]

i'm not sure this helps but I raised a goose and a chicken together from day 1 they have been the best of friends up til recently when the chicken got sick.... fortunately my goose is not as horribly upset as I had expected her to be especially since whatever was going on with her claimed her last night. after a run of bad luck this year I now have a lone silkie in with my goose... before it was 2 silkies an easter egger the goose and an americana chicken we adopted from a family friend who lost his wife.

Oh , I'm sorry for your loss....that's so interesting, though...thanks for sharing!