the bradley bunch Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 Hi, I'm a newbie to the world of chicken keeping, only recently re-homing 3 ex-batts. My hubby has been desperate to have a Silkie hen since we saw one a year ago, however when we moved into our new sub-urban home and decided to take the jump into the world of chicken keeping, we decided we couldn't turn our backs on the thousands of ex-bats awaiting rescue and registered with the British Hen Welfare Trust to re-home some ex-bats. When I bought a hen house I deliberately chose one big enough for up to 5 hens, so that we could expand our brood if we wanted. It's my hubby's birthday in a few months and (provided the ex-bats are fully settled) for a surprise I'd like to get him a Silkie chick (girl). I need some advice on how she would fit in with our current circumstance... at what age should I buy her? how long would she need to be kept seperate from the trio of ex-bats? and during this period will she need her own coop/run outside or will she stay in the house with us? is is ok to just have one lonely chick or will i need to have a pair? Any additional thoughts/ideas on the matter will be welcomed and much appreciated! Thank you in advance to everyone who helps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 If you want definite girls then you will have to buy them at POL (fully grown) and you will also need 2 as the ex-batts will bully her. Take a look at this thread for advice on intro's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 Silkies are hard to sex so as Tom says you'd need to get an older one, really you need to introduce two birds so two silkies or a silkie and one other the same sort of age 18+ weeks will be a good age to get a Silkie The newbies will need to be kept in a separate coop and run (a rabbit hutch and 3 x 6 run is fine) within sight of the others for a few weeks - the link in Toms post will help you understand what is needed If you do get Silkies as chicks they will be unsexed, if you get them under 6 weeks old they need a brooder and heat source (lamp or electric hen) - this makes it all very expensive and they cant go anywhere near the others till they are 18 weeks so getting older ones would make sense in your case Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the bradley bunch Posted June 4, 2010 Author Share Posted June 4, 2010 Thanks for the help guys! I've bookmarked the thread, and I'll keep in mind the advice about the rabbit hutch/run Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
