What is the best decision for my chicks

[ka002]

I have three silkies which I hatched myself who are now 8.5 weeks old. They are my only chickens (they’re pets and very very loved.) I’ve just had them DNA tested and two are boys. ​

Obviously I now have to get some more gals so this works and everyone is happy… what would you do out of the following options - or feel free to add another suggestion!

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1): Hatch more eggs from the same flock/breeder (I would DNA test them immediately.) This option gives them friends from the same ‘family’ and ensures they are not exposed to potential diseases from another flock. However could be expensive to test a whole bunch of birds (which I am ok with) and I could end up with more boys!​

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2): Buy young pullets. Which will be riskier in terms of potentially introducing diseases/lice/mites etc. They also won’t be from the same family and could turn out to be males unless I can find DNA sexed girls (can’t seem to find any online!)​

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Which way would the current chickens be more accepting and when is best to introduce them so they get along best? ​

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I want to do the right thing by them as well as getting chickens that are super happy and content with me as these guys are!​

Thank you!

PS sorry idk why it’s all bold and unbolded in some places, I’ve tried to change it and it won’t accept the changes.

 

[nuthatched]

I thought you couldn't keep males at all?
I wouldn't make any plans until the post pubescent personalities come out on your biys.

 

[ka002]

I thought you couldn't keep males at all?
I wouldn't make any plans until the post pubescent personalities come out on your biys.

Well, I can’t… but I’m starting to think about all sorts here. Even moving

I’m going to have to rehome one, but I don’t want to get to the point where the boy(s) have to go ASAP and then the girl has a harder time integrating with strangers. Think I’m still a bit out of sorts and want to just do the right thing…

 

[nuthatched]

Well, I can’t… but I’m starting to think about all sorts here. Even moving

I’m going to have to rehome one, but I don’t want to get to the point where the boy(s) have to go ASAP and then the girl has a harder time integrating with strangers. Think I’m still a bit out of sorts and want to just do the right thing…

Rehome them. More chickens will not solve this problem, even if they're all girls.

 

[ka002]

Well, I kind of disagree since I can’t keep my girl on her own… but thanks for your input!

 

[Debbie292d]

I have three silkies which I hatched myself who are now 8.5 weeks old. They are my only chickens (they’re pets and very very loved.) I’ve just had them DNA tested and two are boys. ​

Obviously I now have to get some more gals so this works and everyone is happy… what would you do out of the following options - or feel free to add another suggestion!

​

1): Hatch more eggs from the same flock/breeder (I would DNA test them immediately.) This option gives them friends from the same ‘family’ and ensures they are not exposed to potential diseases from another flock. However could be expensive to test a whole bunch of birds (which I am ok with) and I could end up with more boys!​

​

2): Buy young pullets. Which will be riskier in terms of potentially introducing diseases/lice/mites etc. They also won’t be from the same family and could turn out to be males unless I can find DNA sexed girls (can’t seem to find any online!)​

​

Which way would the current chickens be more accepting and when is best to introduce them so they get along best? ​

​

I want to do the right thing by them as well as getting chickens that are super happy and content with me as these guys are!​

Thank you!

PS sorry idk why it’s all bold and unbolded in some places, I’ve tried to change it and it won’t accept the changes.

I raise and breed silkies so my heart goes out to you as I know how lovable they all are, especially at that age.

The problem with getting more pullets is you either have to order them from a hatchery that does the DNA so quite a bit more expensive, or try find a silkie breeder in your vicinity that you could buy older sexed pullets from. If not DNA tested, maybe you knew that it takes minimally 3 months, but most likely 4 months, and sometimes even 5 months to sex them. If they are from a different "family" it's better as they wouldn't be related so better for breeding.

If worried about diseases and mites, etc., I'd quarantine any new birds for at least two weeks. Then, move their pen or whatever you had them in near the current birds you do have for at least a week so they can see and not touch.

I have silkies from 1 month to 4 months old living together just fine in a smaller coop, then when they get around 5 months old I can move them to the main coop with the adults. That takes about 4-5 days to accomplish getting them to go there on their own.

I wish you luck!