New Chicks on the Block

November 24, 2010

I found a local woman who is selling Silkie pullets and she lives about 5 minutes away from me. Ironically, our paths have crossed before but I did not know that she had chickens!   This past Spring, she ordered straight runs of various colors of Silkies.  They were born in May making them about 4 weeks older than my current flock.   I had been thinking of adding to the flock since we had to re-home Peanut and Chocolate turned out to be another rooster.  I wanted to have more hens.  Plus, Chocolate is really starting to assert his dominance over my existing pullets.

So after I picked up my son at school yesterday, we journeyed over to her home.  My friend also wanted a few Silkies so within a matter of 15 minutes, my car had 2 boxes of little Silkies.  Last night while my flock was fast asleep, I decided I would integrate the new pullets.  I quickly gave them a dusting of diatomaceous earth and then I brushed them with a dryer sheet.  Yeah, I know it sounds weird.  I thought that I could try and make the new girls smell like their human family.  Some people even spray them with their perfume.  Perhaps, it would make their transition and acceptance easier.  I did not want to have any horror stories like you find on the internet.

This morning, I waited until 7:30 am to go outside.  It seemed like I was waiting forever.  I opened up the coop.  Immediately, Chocolate was the first to dart out.  Then the rest of the old flock followed by 2 of the new girls.  The third remained in the the coop and eventually came out into the run with some gentle coaxing.  Overall, I was pleased.  No one was dead, bleeding or missing hoards of feathers.  In order to spend more time outside, I cleaned out the coop.  It needed it anyway.  Overall, there was some mild pecking but nothing that I would not expect.  I also gave them yogurt this morning and filled their treat ball, all attempts to distract from the newcomers.

So, you ask, who is new?  Well they are lilac or lavender in color with some black streaks.  I would like to introduce to you, Dolly, Autumn and Meesha.

Melissa

Author/Blogger/Freelancer-Sharing adventures with backyard chickens, beekeeping, gardening, crafting, cooking and more.

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2 thoughts on “New Chicks on the Block”

  1. Hi, my name is Maddie and I live in Marstons Mills and am having a hard time finding Silkie Bantams for my coop. If you still talk with this woman, could you direct me to her? Or I read earlier that you yourself had chicks of your own? I am desperate for one of these beauties! Thank you!

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Sharing an inspired life from the New England seaside. Chickens, Bees, Gardens, Art and Yummy Goodness.