The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Heather B on May 31, 2014, 08:42:56 pm
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Have adopted an 18 month old silkie cockerel and at the same time bought a 12 week old black silkie hen. It was recommended that I place both together separately for 4 weeks until silkie hen could be introduced to my flock. Advised that cocky wouldn't tread silkie knowing she was too young! Yet today he has so thinking maybe I should just let him in with my other established group of hybrids. Unable to find another older silkie at present as ideally would like to breed silkies and if I let him out with the others then little black silkie will be on her own (unless I go and find some more)! Any suggestions anyone?? thanks :sunshine:
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I don't think you have any choice but to move the cockerel and find another hen in a hurry HeatherB. At 12 weeks she is far too young to join the others and as an individual doomed to a life of bullying anyway. Mixing the two new hens with the established flock will be difficult I think. Avoid 'vaulted skulls', as a peck on the head from another hen could be fatal.
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hi Chis, the silkies are in a separate enclosure but I am going to try today putting silkie cockerel with my other girls. He came with three point of lay girls so there is some familiarity there for him and I will just have to keep an eye on the rest of flock bullying him! Insofar as the 12 week is concerned she will be then on her own until I can get another couple of similar aged silkies. Ive read a bit about mixing flocks but I think ultimately I will keep the silkies separate but in the meantime I will just have to move the cockerel from the little silkie.
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are any of your other hens smaller than the others - and gentle natured? Could put her in with the silkie baby.
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Only really an arucana who is fairly docile and quietish. I probably did a silly thing really - not thinking and acting spontaneously but I am now on the look out for a couple more 12 week old hens to accompany her. Basil the silkie cockerel, on the other hand seems rather reluctant today to come out despite his great escape yesterday :thinking: