Bantam Feeding -- When to Make the Switch and other questions

[BillM2]

We have five Mille Fleur bantam chicks now six weeks old, four boys and one lady, as far as I can tell! We've got them on a starter feed (not medicated for the last two weeks) and wondering when to switch to crumble? Any suggestions? Also, should they be getting grit?

They have full grown standard sized sisters who like to invade the bantam's fenced off area in the coop to eat their feed. When can I integrate the young with the old? They seem to be getting along well at this time but am uncertain when to bring them together.

 

[GitaBooks]

Bantams can be switched to grower after the first few weeks of life, but they shouldn't be switched to layer until they are around 20 weeks of age or more.
If your bantams have access to the outdoors than they should be getting natural grit. If they are inside, you can provide a little. There is a lot of disagreement on the importance of grit, but to be on the safe side you can put a little pile in the coop, in its own little dish.

As for introducing the two, if they are getting along, I think its find to put them together. I have raised bantams and standard chickens together from hatching, as well as introduced them. Some chickens can be bullies, so you should watch for this at first. Standard chickens sometimes seem to mistake a little flying bantam as a sparrow, and they love to chase sparrows, so make sure they don't chase them.
Generally the two will form separate mini-flocks, the bantam flock and the standard flock, but that doesn't mean they don't get along.

I hope this helps.

Good luck!