Ok, so here is the problem. I have ordered some hatching eggs: buff orpingtons, jersey giants and wyandottes. I really only want to keep 3 hens out of these and the incubator is small and holds 8, so I will incubate 8 as a selection of these and see what I get. I only keep a small backyard flock (currently 3 large hybrid hens and 2 runner ducks)
Problem is, that the wyandottes are bantams (which was a mistake as I wanted large fowl). Should I just hatch them and have bantams alongside the giants, or is this a no-no?
I do not intend to keep any cockerels, but there will inevitably be a transitional period as the young ones grow and mature and we can identify if we actually have any cockerels. I can separate them if I need to, but prefer not to as it will be logistically inconvenient. Obviously keeping a jersey giant cockerel and a bantam hen together would probably kill her! Or would it?
But I am not intending to keep any cockerels so in the long term I could keep bantam and giant hens together ? Would this work?
I originally never considered bantams as I thought they would be bothered by my cats as they free range. Keeping them enclosed with a roof long term (i.e. beyond chick-hood) is not an option.
If I don't hatch the bantams then I have wasted my money, will have to order some more, and they will not arrive until next week and then the whole timing plan is shot with the other eggs not being fresh. This is so annoying!
So, what I am asking is:
1. Can/should bantams and giant hens live together?
2. During the growing/adolescent period, can bantams and giants (of both sexes) live together?
Overall - Should I hatch the bantams?
They are silver laced and so beautiful!!!
Problem is, that the wyandottes are bantams (which was a mistake as I wanted large fowl). Should I just hatch them and have bantams alongside the giants, or is this a no-no?
I do not intend to keep any cockerels, but there will inevitably be a transitional period as the young ones grow and mature and we can identify if we actually have any cockerels. I can separate them if I need to, but prefer not to as it will be logistically inconvenient. Obviously keeping a jersey giant cockerel and a bantam hen together would probably kill her! Or would it?
But I am not intending to keep any cockerels so in the long term I could keep bantam and giant hens together ? Would this work?
I originally never considered bantams as I thought they would be bothered by my cats as they free range. Keeping them enclosed with a roof long term (i.e. beyond chick-hood) is not an option.
If I don't hatch the bantams then I have wasted my money, will have to order some more, and they will not arrive until next week and then the whole timing plan is shot with the other eggs not being fresh. This is so annoying!
So, what I am asking is:
1. Can/should bantams and giant hens live together?
2. During the growing/adolescent period, can bantams and giants (of both sexes) live together?
Overall - Should I hatch the bantams?
They are silver laced and so beautiful!!!