At what age to integrate Bantams with Standards

[ZooMummzy]

I have 16 8 week old bantams (cochins, silkies, japanese, sebrights) and 14 various age standard size hens and pullets that I want to integrate. At what age or time would this be best? I know there is a chance they will not get along and I'm prepared for that (keeping the coop run divided) but I have been reading a lot on this site about how the little banties can stand their ground, etc. I'm not even worried about my silkies because they are the feistiest of the bunch!

They have been living side by side in a divided coop and run area for 2 weeks now and can stay that way for at least another month or two if needed (new little ones to bring out of the brooder later this summer). With my standard chickens, I usually wait till they are near the same size or 3-5 months old), but that is not going to ever happen with these.

Ideas? Suggestions? How you've done it?

 

[Judy]

Can you let them out of the run into a back yard, or something, while you supervise? (Assuming your run is fairly small. I only have free rangers and a 75x75 yard.) I have read here that this can often be accomplished by letting them all out together, raising a bit of a ruckus to distract, and offering a bunch of good treats, all at once. Especially if there are a few places that some could hide if needed.

Around here, this is what I would try, with the family assembled to help intervene if needed.

If you could get away with putting them on the roost together at night, the night before, then do this at dawn, it might work even better.

 

[JennsPeeps]

I've only got 1 banty out of a group of 10. She's fine and holds her own no problem. She's actually really bossy toward the younger birds.

I agree the the previos poster: mix them together during free-ranging and see how it goes. Watch CLOSELY (our buff orp got her behind handed to her when we weren't watching) and intervene if necessary.

The younger you can introduce them, the better. Adults birds are harder to get to accept newbiew, as our adult BSL and RIR have proven.

 

[FarmerDenise]

I usually raise my banties and standards together. I don't worry so much about size. The little ones can hold their own. I just try and see to it that the smaller ones can get away from the larger ones if need be. I'll povide milk crates that have a couple of apropriately sized openings, fencing or as of right now I have guinea pig cage with the little dors propped open, so the smaller chicks can get in and eat in peace.
I agree with prior posts. let them all out for free range, in the evening, and observe, just to break up any serious altercations. And repeat, until things are reasonable mellow.
Do expect that they will have to re-establish the pecking order and there will be some uglies.

 

[ZooMummzy]

Quote:
I could do that, yes because my run is quite large (for living in town) and will be much larger in the next couple months (26ft x 23ft). We have a temporary fence dividing the two runs right now but it opens up. Right now, they have been existing side by side in both the coop and run so they definitely see each other all the time. In the coop, all I would have to do is take down the temporary chicken wire fence and they are roosting side by side. I was just concerned about the size difference, not wanting the little ones to get squished.

 

[ZooMummzy]

Thank you for the replies and advice! This is my first time with banties and I was so shocked (naively so I guess) at the size difference. I tried them first with my new standard chicks of the season - the banties were 4 weeks and the new chicks 12 weeks - and it didn't go well. The standards were stepping all over the little ones and I feared they would get hurt. So, I threw the 12 week olds in with the year old standard hens and gave the banties their own space. I guess I am just going to have to open up the fence and see what happens because I do want an integrated flock.

Do you think the silkies will hold their own too? They seem so delicate at times. The frizzles I have no doubt about because they are mean little buggers! They drag each other around by their feathers, lol.

Thank you!