Silkies are one of the most popular breeds of chicken because of their fluffy feathering and calm disposition.
These docile chickens are perfect for backyard chicken keepers because they are small, quiet, and friendly.
It is common for Silkies to make friends with other animals around the farm.
Companions for Silkies may include dogs, goats, and pigs.
But is it possible to raise Silkies in a mixed flock with other chicken breeds?
Key Takeaway:
Silkies will get along well with other chicken breeds as long as they have the same docile personality. Avoid aggressive breeds, as they are more likely to bully the Silkies because of their small size and unique appearance.
A Silkie chicken is not an assertive bird and rarely fights back if another flock member is bullying it.
Look for signs of bullying in your mixed flock and intervene when necessary.
Read on to learn the factors to consider with a mixed flock and which breeds fit well with Silkies.
Factors To Consider with a Mixed Flock
When choosing companions for Silkies, there are a few factors to consider.
There is a wide variety of chicken breeds to choose from, and you must understand what traits to look for to ensure your mixed flock gets along well.
Silkies will get along with just about any chickens, but the same is not always true for other breeds.
Personality
The most important factor to consider is the personality of other chicken breeds.
Silkies are docile birds, and the new flock members must share the same temperament.
Chickens have individual personalities, but some breeds are known to be more aggressive birds than others.
An aggressive bird may seriously injure or kill a Silkie very easily.
This is not to say a chicken from a known aggressive breed will never be friendly, but you do not want to find out the hard way.
It is better to choose a chicken from a breed known to be docile just to be safe.
There is still a chance for the chicken to be mean or aggressive toward your Silkies, but the risk is much lower.
Further Readin: Why and how often will Silkie chickens fight?
Appearance
When it comes to appearances, Silkies are unusual birds.
If all of the new members of the flock are from the same breed, they may bully your Silkies because of their unique look.
The new chickens may preen your Silkies’ fluffy crests by pulling out the feathers to make them look “normal.”
Choosing several chickens from different breeds, so they do not all look the same lowers the risk of your Silkies being bullied because of their appearance.
Coop Space
The Silkie chicken is a true bantam, meaning there is no standard-sized version.
Since they are smaller than standard chickens, Silkies do not require a lot of coop space.
Other chickens may be more particular about sharing their space, especially if a broody Silkie hen steals a clutch of eggs to claim as her own, which is quite common.
Some chicken breeds will get along better with Silkies as long as there is plenty of space in the coop.
You may need to upgrade to a larger chicken coop to accommodate the new flock members, especially if they are larger chickens.
Age
When you are introducing a new breed to your Silkies, it is much easier to choose chicks.
Silkie hens are known for being wonderful mothers, and they will happily adopt baby chicks from other chickens.
If you are bringing adult chickens into your flock of Silkies, it may take some time for them to get along until a new pecking order has been established.
Avoid adding roosters to your existing Silkie flock because they tend to be aggressive no matter what breed they are.
There is also such a thing as having too many roosters in a flock, which almost always leads to problems.
The Best Chicken Breeds To Mix with Silkies
Several breeds of chicken get along exceptionally well with the Silkie chicken because of their friendly nature.
Bantam-size chickens are generally favored because they are similar in size to Silkies and less likely to bully them.
Barred Plymouth Rock Bantams
Barred Plymouth Rock Bantams are very friendly chickens and cold-hardy like Silkies.
These quiet birds prefer a smaller flock and are not known for picking fights with other chickens.
Like Silkies, Barred Plymouth Rock Bantams tend to go broody and make fantastic mothers.
Buff Brahma Bantams
Buff Brahma Bantams are also very quiet and friendly birds.
They have feathered feet and small combs, so they do well in colder climates.
These birds are replicas of full-sized Buff Brahmas, just in a smaller size.
Buff Brahma Bantam hens are laid back and do not attack other birds.
Brahmas like to free-range, and they enjoy foraging for their food.
Cochin Bantams
Cochin Bantams have a unique appearance, and the thick feathers on their legs make them look like they are wearing pants.
These beautiful birds have dense feathering but are prone to getting wet.
Some Cochin Bantams have the frizzle gene, which means their feathers curl inward instead of laying flat, giving the birds a wild appearance.
Cochin Bantams are friendly and get along well with most birds, including Silkies.
Salmon Faverolles
Salmon Faverolles are a small breed of chicken in standard and bantam sizes.
These birds have feathered legs as well as five toes like the Silkie.
They get their name because the hens have salmon coloring along their back, head, and wings.
Like the Silkie chicken, Salmon Faverolles are at the bottom of the pecking order and are not known to fight other chickens over rank.
Salmon Faverolles do not fly, so you will not have to get a taller fence to add them to your Silkie chicken flock.
Polish
The Polish chicken is very friendly and docile, and its wild feathers make them look unique.
Their crest feathers are taller than a Silkie chicken’s and must be trimmed so their vision is not obstructed.
Polish chickens are also at the bottom of the pecking order, so you do not have to worry about them becoming aggressive with your Silkies.
While the standard size of this breed is small to begin with, the Polish also comes in a bantam variety.
The only drawback to these birds is their intolerance for cold and wet climates.
Read next: Why are silkie chickens so expensive?
