Bantams Vs. Standards

[hinky toes]

Perhaps this has been asked before but is it OK to mix bantam chicks with standard size chicks? I guess I could also take it another step and ask if they can both live in harmony as adults for that matter?

Please don't wail on me if this turns out to be a lame question!

 

[Southerngirl]

They can live together just fine !!

We have both and they do very well together.

 

[Feathered Wings]

Just my opinion but my answer would be no as it sometimes happens big chickens tend to dominate over the little ones. I find the standards can be abusive to the smaller bantams and a large roo on a bantam hen is just wrong.

This is just my personal opinion and i'm against bantams being with standards for the reasons above.
I have seen bantams abused by standards in mixed flocks and seen them chased from food and water. I've witnesed huge a roo mateing with and crushing bantam hens and i cringed. I don't know why people want to do this can't you just look at the size difference and a light go off.

 

[BJ]

As with any breed, not all personalities will mix. Research temperaments of the bantams to make sure they are "tough" enough to stand up to the standards. Some do better than others. If you get it right, they should be able to live together with no problems....especially if they "grow up" together.

 

[BJ]

Quote:
Yes, I totally agree...I would NEVER put a bantam hen with a standard rooster. I would only consider hens.

 

[Akane]

My bantams beat up my standards when I first mixed them.

It really depends on the chickens. If your dealing with fairly laid back breeds it works fine. If you end up with one more dominant or agressive hens the bantams will get injured and harassed easier than the standards. I raised 3 EE standards with my 6 btw japanese bantam chicks and as adults they are getting along fine. I don't have current pics but here are the chicks and 8-10week olds when I moved them out to the coop.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/aqh88/chickens/EEs/SANY0991.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/aqh88/chickens/coop/SANY1039.jpg

1 or 2 bantams in a big flock of standards may be another story depending on individual personalities.