Big chickens pecking and chasing Bantams...how long will this last!?!

[Nikki99]

We have six 17 week old standard sized chickens and two 10 week old Bantams. They have been in the same chicken yard every day for 2 weeks now and the big chickens chase and peck the little ones every chance they get. There's a huge size difference and I know that the bigger birds could easily kill the little ones, what do I do? We put the Bantams in a separate smaller coop inside the big coop so the big chickens can't get them but I've read other threads that say to leave them all together so they don't have to re-establish pecking order every day. I'm afraid that if I leave them together in the big coop where there's no bushes, grass or wood piles for the little guys to hide in, I will find my Bantams dead in the morning. I would be really sad, I love my Banties!!!

This is my first flock, I need help from someone who knows what there doing....because I sure don't!!

 

[janinepeters]

I think you are right to keep them separate for now. It is good that both flocks can see each other, but to integrate, you will need to gradually increase contact. This should be relatively easy if they free range for part of the day. You can let both flocks outdoors at the same time, and bantams will be able to escape when big ones chase. If you see violence, you can separate, and try again the next day. Little by little, they will get used to each other, and develop a stable peck order, which will help them all settle down. Whether the bantams continue to get bullied depends on how much space they have and how much opportunity to forage in good habitat. If they are confined all day with nothing better to do, you will likely eventually have problems with bullying, feather picking, etc., bantams or no bantams.

In general, it is easier to successfully integrate if there are more bantams than big ones, and if the bantams are older. Size, age, health, and personality, are all factors that contribute to peck order status. Younger bantams have 2 of those against them right off the bat. But that does not it can't be done. I have successfully integrated a few bantam pullets into a flock of adult large birds.

 

[janinepeters]

And as for how long it will take, I generally do not let younger birds live 24/7 with the older birds until the younger ones are old enough to lay or at least look adult sized. So for example if I get chicks in spring, they are free ranging during day with adults by early-mid summer, but still sleeping in their own coop. In fall when chicks are beginning to lay, I put them in the coop with the big ones and watch at first, to see how it goes. It has always gone just fine, because they have had all summer to work out a stable peck order.

 

[TXchickmum]

We have three standard size chickens and four bantams. (purchased them within a week of one another, and they are relatively close in age (within a few weeks). I kept them in separate brooders, but took them out every day together to scratch. We also constructed separate coops. I've known some folks that have their standards and banties in the same coop and it works out well. I've experienced the same issues as you. My bigger chicks would peck/chase my smaller ones. Now, at roughly 16 & 18 weeks of age, they roam the yard together. The standard pullets will still have no part of the bantam chickens eating with them (save one bantam rooster). (have separate feeders) Also, if a standard pullet is perched on a chair and a bantam jumps up there - it is quickly chased away. They will all forage in the same lawn location, happily, though. -and one bantam rooster seems to protect both little flocks really well, while the less dominant roo stays wth the two bantam pullets. -best of luck with all of your chicks! I'm sure you'll determine what works well for you and your situation!

 

[zindel610]

We have a similar problem, except my hens have always been together, I ordered them all at the same time. We have one bantam silkie. SHe recently went broody. When I get her out of the laying boxes and put her out with the other girls my large fowl New Hampshire Red pecks at her and has pulled out some of her feathers... This was never a problem before she went broody. How can I get things back to the way they were? I feel so bad for poor Miss. Georgia and I think it is harder to get her to not be broody bc she doesn't want to be out with Penny pecking her anyway... Any advice would be appreciated, Thanks!

 

[Eraser81112]

I am kind of having the same issue, due to breeds and ages. My 3, 3 month olds are not integrating well with my 4, 6 month olds. I heard it was easiest for mixed ages chickens to get along before laying (none of mine started), so I introduced the little ones (a bit too early at 5 weeks) in a separate pen amongst the older ones for 2 weeks. I let the oldest free range through the day while I am gone and let the young ones out (in the sep. Cage/and free range) when I am home. I have 2 coops to separate them.
They just act like separate flocks and it has been 4 weeks. I let them all free range now, but I am wondering," how long until they get along? "

I think this is age and breed specific. I have a huge Asian Blue leader of 1 flock with 3 very docile birds (2 silkies, 1 australorp). The AB chases after the little ones, but the australorp then follows the leader and does it too (like mean girl mentality!)
Neither are "mean" (doesn't peck persay), but they do not want the young ones around. The other 2 silkies don't care.

Just a note- the older flock lost their rooster and a fellow pullet a month ago. I think they hate change, and adding more birds. I wonder if new introductions are just too much change for them.

 

[Eraser81112]

Just to note, I will never buy another asian blue. It acts like a goose.