KateH Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 (edited) Current situation (kind of follows on also from my sexing silkies thread: http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=89050 Three Silkies of unknown sex in one temporary run, (2 about 17 weeks, one about 13 weeks), two 14 week old Pekins in another but adjoining run (can see each other) since Monday. New house and run built and ready to go. White Silkie I thought was definately a girl seems to be developing streamers (longer feathers at the back of it's head) which I'm told means definately a boy (although no comb development and doesn't look like room for one to grow). Two older silkies have started fighting, mostly stomach bardging each other and the black one keeps pecking the gold one (not all the time, just when it gets in it's way etc. doesn't draw blood). Neither seem to have streamers but do have space for a comb and small nubbins developing slowly. As they are all young have been told to put them all in together but am concerned the larger Silkies will pick on my smaller Pekins. Currently they mostly ignore them but occasionally the silkies walk the boundary making noise at the littlies. What to do? 1) Wait until tonight and put them all to bed together, open the door tomorrow morning and see what happens (obv separate if gets dangerous) 2) Keep Silkies and Pekins separate until definately know the sex of the Silkies (could be three boys for all I know), but might not know for months yet. 3) Move silkies into big new house and set up temporary run next to it for the Pekins for another few weeks (but then I'm worried the Silkies will have a home advantage? 4) Other - can anyone think of anything else?! Any advice?! Edited August 2, 2012 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gertie Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 I have done several successful intros to date and I always do it the same way - start them off as neighbours, let them free range together, put them together at night and get up early in the morning to let them out/separate, if they are confined to the coop then add lots of distractions and places to escape, sit there with a water pistol and squirt any peckers! If you have time over the weekend then perhaps you could introduce them and watch closely to see what happens. Sorry I don't have a definite answer! good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KateH Posted August 4, 2012 Author Share Posted August 4, 2012 Thanks for the reply. I have put them together and there has been a bit of pecking, mainly the smallest white silkie v the Pekins. It hasn't got out of hand as yet and I am keeping a close eye. Unfortunately I couldn't free range them together due to low garden fences. I have put up more food stations and hung broccoli as a distraction and will see how it goes over the weekend...Hope they settle soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gertie Posted August 5, 2012 Share Posted August 5, 2012 How are the intros going today? Hope they are being kind to each other! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KateH Posted August 5, 2012 Author Share Posted August 5, 2012 Things seem to be settling thanks. There is still the odd peck from white Silkie on a Pekin (must sort out names!) but it is much less frequent and sometimes just chasing and no pecking. They were all preening together earlier. I've set up a dust bath and also hung some herbs up for them to peck at. The Pekins are loving the hanging stuff, pecking away and the Silkies just stand there like they don't know what to do! Hoping things continue to settle Must post some photos of the new set up when I get a chance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gertie Posted August 6, 2012 Share Posted August 6, 2012 Great, glad its going well! Love to see some pics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
