Bantams: crowing early, when to range

[cottontail farm]

Long time poultry owner but this is my first time raising bantams from chicks. I got a handful from TSC this spring and am thrilled with them. My questions are:
I have a Millie Fleur too who, at 8 or 9 weeks old is crowing and mounting hens. I was shocked that this is happening so early compared to the standard breeds I've raised. Is this normal?! Lol.
Also, when can you typically turn them out to range a little? The coop/run they are in is HUGE for their size and I'm a little afraid to let them out yet, they are the size of robins!

Here at some of them pictured as babies and all grown. I am thrilled with my TSC mix.

 

[chicken4prez]

Just to let you know, so others do t get confused, Mille Fleur is a colour, not breed.

I made that mistake too when I got my d'Uccle rooster.

My Mille Fleur d'Uccle roo also started crowing and matured earlier than my other roosters did.

 

[chicken4prez]

I have 2 d'Uccles and boy are they toughies. Millie (my hen) is always picking up fights with hens and roosters 100 times the size of her! And Billy (my roo) was with my 3 other big hefty EE and he was the one to beat them up! I was also worried that they will get killed but my bantams seem to do just fine.

 

[TheTwoRoos]

You can let them range,some do mature very early on.

 

[cottontail farm]

Just to let you know, so others do t get confused, Mille Fleur is a colour, not breed.

I made that mistake too when I got my d'Uccle rooster.

My Mille Fleur d'Uccle roo also started crowing and matured earlier than my other roosters did.

Thanks for the advice. I do know about the color vs breed but am still really confused by what I have... They all look the same to me! I'll have to post individual pictures soon and beg for opinions. This color is SO pretty!
Good to know about your roo, hearing that tiny crow was pretty shocking. Lol

 

[chicken4prez]

Thanks for the advice. I do know about the color vs breed but am still really confused by what I have... They all look the same to me! I'll have to post individual pictures soon and beg for opinions. This color is SO pretty!
Good to know about your roo, hearing that tiny crow was pretty shocking. Lol

No problem! Mille Fleur is one of the most beautiful colours I have ever seen on chickens!! <3 You can always search on google "d'Uccle colours" and there are lists.

It was shocking for me too! We thought maybe he was a bit older than his previous owners told us but reading your post got makes sense.