Adding Bantam chicks to Full Size Hens

Posted by Jan Carlson on January 6, 2011 at 7:53am

My mom recently was asked to take on 6 bantam chickens. She currently has 8 RIRs. She has a second coop, but really wants larger hens to go in it. Still, she took the bantams. They are soooo cute.

 

Anyway, since she is not happy with them, I am contemplating taking them myself. I have 5 hens, 1RIR and 4 gold sexes. They are 7 months old and all are laying. The chicks are not laying yet and we really don't have any idea of their actual age.

 

We do not want to cause in major upheaval with our current girls, because we absolutely adore them! So, if there is any doubt about there being a problem integrating them, we will not offer to take them.

 

Anyone having experience with this, what are your thoughts?

 

Thank you in advance.

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Replies

    • Jeanette > XenitH January 6, 2011 at 4:56pm

      Is the box upright, so the opening is on the top and then the birds flutter in & out of it (doubting this in the size of my standard coop) or is it laid on its side (like a cave). Do you face it to the side (for a little privacy) or open to the main part of the coop? Would the new chicken need to be a minimum age-- or have all of its feathers? 

       

      This sounds like a great plan & I will probably do this as I am down to two hens (other two were roosters). Along these lines, should I wait until spring? Can I do now? Will my existing 2 hens be nicer in the colder weather? (they seem to be pleasant girls).

    • Jan Carlson > XenitH January 6, 2011 at 8:30am

      Great! Then in that case, I'll scout around for a box and then offer to take the chickens from my mom  and incorporate them into our family. :)

  • Carrie January 6, 2011 at 3:15pm
    I curently have a mixed flock of standard and bantam hens and am integrating 4 more bantam pullets (12 weeks). I quarantined them for a few weeks and just recently started to put them in the coop with the others during the evening, and then during the day the run is split.  I will do this for another week then try Chris' suggestion.  Don't know how the new girls will do, but the existing mix of standard and bantam works just fine.  Size doesn't seem to matter with chickens....the queen around our coop is a little bantam cochin:)  I'm crossing my fingers though with the new girls, one of my Welsummers really seems to have it in for them.  Thanks for the tip Chris!
  • Bethany Lobocki January 6, 2011 at 10:32am
    I find that as long as there is plenty of access to food and water, and enough space, then after a few days everyone usually works out their disagreements.  As long as the bantams are full-grown...they will be fine.  Don't forget to quarantine the new ones though, I absolutely agree with Becky on this.
  • Suzie O'Connor January 6, 2011 at 9:55am
    Take a wire cage with the bantam in them and put them in the middle of the cage with the RIR for a week or so, then let them out, but you have to watch them for a time.  The RIR's should accept them.  Let me know what happens.
    • Jan Carlson > Suzie O'Connor January 6, 2011 at 10:33am

      ty all.

      Our girls are given free range much of the day, and we leave the door open so they can go in and out for feed and water at will. They are used to having little birds, doves, grackles, cardinals and the like in the yard with them. Those birds don't seem to bother them, so that may be a help in getting them to accept the bantams.  I'll let you know the outcome.

  • Becky January 6, 2011 at 9:15am
    Make sure you quarantine for 30 days first, though!
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