Advice on how to integrate young bantam chickens with my regular size flock

filibuster93

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Hello,
We have 8 (almost) full size chickens. seven are hens, and one is a rooster. They have been living in the coop, and roaming the yard. We had bought a few baby bantams awhile ago. They are of age to move outside, and are currently being kept in our 'isolation' coop. It is big enough for one, maybe two full size chickens, but since they are bantams, they have plenty of room to move around. My problem is, I would like to integrate the bantams with the others. However, even though the bantams are about two months old, they are still the the size of a 2 week old standard baby chick. I don't want the other big chickens to peck them to death. I think we have two boys and two girls in the bantams. One of the male bantams takes the lead, and the other is very shy, and basically a scaredy cat. The older chickens have come around the coop the bantams are in, and so far have not had any negative reactions. No cawing or screaming or loud clucking. So I am taking that as a good sign. I was wondering if anyone had any good advice on how to mix the two groups together with as little bloodshed and trauma as possible. Thanks.
Aliece
These pictures were taken from the first day The bantams were moved outside.


 
I have seen some flock owners let them out with supervision and then put them back inside. I had bantom chicks with 3 isas and let them outside when they were old enough. Just like what youre doing. Let them get to know each other for a few weeks through the fencing. Maybe put the bantoms food on the floor by the bigger hens so while they eat they can get familiar.

I think once they all get used to each other and have less and less supervised visits, you can leave them all out together during the day, and sleep separately at night. Until you feel they can all sleep together.

Since I have only had one flock I have noticed that the 3 Isas I have always pick on the little bantom and one of the roosters. But they are so quick and fast they can get out of it quickly. Its never a dangerous situation. They stay away from each other sort of like high school clicks how the artsy people might not hang out with the cheerleaders all the time except for when its lunch time. Kinda silly to put it in that aspect but thats how i see it
wee.gif
 
The best time to integrate chicks with adults is at about 16 weeks. If you do it before this time there is always the risk of injury and death.

They may be killed if you put them in there. It is best to leave them where they are, even if it is a little crowded- at least they can grow out some more and be safe.
 
our chickens have their 'cliques' too. i call them the austrian mafia (the black australorps), the glamour squad (three hens), and the misfits (bottom two hens-one has a gimp foot).
I have noticed that two of the hens seem to be more interested in them the past few days. I am not sure if they care more about the chickens, or the food/treats in the cage. I am just worried that because they are so little, they will get pecked a lot. some supervised playtime with a fence between will most likely be the next step.
 

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