Are Wyandotte hens too small for an Orpington roo?

[Henrik Petersson]

We just added two Wyandotte hens to our mixed flock of Orpingtons and Brahmas. I know Wyandottes are supposed to be a heavy breed, but they look tiny compared to the Orpington rooster. Do I have to worry that the rooster will injure them when he starts mating?

 

[Ridgerunner]

Are your Wyandottes bantam or full sized? If they are full sized you should be OK.

When chickens mate, the hen squats. This puts her body flat on the ground. That way the rooster’s weight goes through her body into the ground, not just through her legs. It’s normal for a rooster to weigh more than the hens of the same breed.

Orpingtons have thick fluffy feathers. Sometimes they are not quite as big as they look.

 

[Henrik Petersson]

Full size.

Also, they might not be completely full grown, even though they've started laying.

Thanks!