bantam/full size integration

[cthompson]

I posted something similar in pests/predator area, so I hope this is the right place to ask this part of the question:
We had a small flock with only 3 chickens, 2 bantams and 1 standard size chicken. They got along great. Last night a (what we assume) was a bear got one bantam and our standard lady, so now we have one lone bantam.
My question is I feel terrible that my one lady is now alone. Should I bring her inside during the night to make sure the predator doesnt come back? But also, how should I go about getting her some friends? Should I get a few same age bantams? Some younger standards? Some younger bantams?
Any help appreciated.
Thank you!

 

[Phoenixxx]

I've never had any real problems adding to my flock. I have noticed, though, that chickens are somewhat "racist": when I added a variety of breeds to my australorps, they left the black ones alone and picked on all the other colours. I also noticed they'd free-range in their seperate groups: houdans together, white phoenixes together, black australorps and black copper marans together. If you're only going with a few more birds, it shouldn't matter, though. Right now I'm down to a black copper marans hen, a black EE hen, a white phoenix bantam hen and a black australorp roo, thanks to a fox break-in, and they all hang out together very well. The white phoenix is a bit mean to the babies, though.

If I were in your position, if adding standard birds I'd pick from breeds with good, non-aggressive temperaments just because your banty might not be able to defend herself against a large aggressive breed. If you get youngsters (older chicks or pullets), your current lady will likely be flock leader. If you add older birds, they may challenge her position and one of them will take over. Neither is better than the other, though there may be more pecking and sorting when bringing in adult birds.

Chickens are flock/family/social animals. Whether or not the predator returns, I'd bring her in just so she doesn't have to be alone!