Can a Banty Roo Breed With A Standard Hen???

Elena712

In the Brooder
9 Years
May 31, 2010
44
0
32
On A Farm
Ok so I found a Listing on Craigslist for two Black-Cochin Banty Roos for free, and we're thinking about getting them for Protection and A leader, So, Is it possible for a Banty Roo and a Standard hen to Breed?
 
Yes, a bantam rooster can breed with a standard hen, but he may find it a challenge to get his part properly lined up with the hens' parts, so you may not have the highest fertility in their eggs. And the chicks that result will probably be mid-sized, which may or may not be a problem for you. Mixed-breed chickens are great, but if you prefer full-sized birds to lay large eggs, don't get a bantam roo for a sire.

Also, while bantam roos will diligently husband hens of any size, I don't think that roosters are really effective as protectors. They're good at noticing danger and giving the warning signal, but most are quick to then run for cover as fast or faster than the hens. Few will stand back and try to fight off a predator, bantam roos would be even less likely to do so.

How many hens do you have? Remember that an ideal ratio is 1 rooster to 10-12 hens. Bantam roos will be less likely to wear out their hens so you may be able to get away with having more.
 
our banty cochin roo was very protective of his ladies. we came home one night to find him in the doorway of the coop battling a raccoon !!!! he stayed between his flock and the coon we lost him in the end but he saved everybody else he was a great roo If he was waiting outside the coop I knew I had a bird missing and then he would show me where it was.
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Muddyhorse, that is a great testimonial for a terrific little rooster, I'm sorry he had to go. But in my experience roos like that are the exception rather than the rule. All the roosters I have or have known would never try and do battle with a predator and show little/no interest in their fallen comrades.
 
Quote:
This made me tear up! He sacrificed his life for them. Hopefully you got a few babies from him. What a great little bird.
 
Muddy horse he was one awesome rooster!! I have a blue copper marans roo that does the same thing. He will not go into the coop at night until all the others are in and then he sits in the doorway until I come and lock it up. If there is a hen missing he won't go in either. When predators come, he makes sure all the others go into the coop including other roosters and then he stands in the doorway squawking. I love him to peices. I bet you miss your good roo alot.

Yep banty roos have no problem with the big girls. I have a layer pen of 15 various breeds of hens and only one bantam rooster in that pen (he was supposed to be a girl lol) . He services all those ladies on a regular basis, even the light brahma hens twice his size lol.
 
My poor silkie boy has no luck with the big girls. He does the cutest happy feet dance for them, jumps on and they toss him to the ground and walk away. Of course we all sit and watch cuz its just so funny. But later this week I am expecting 2 girlfriends for him. And during our hawk attack last week, he was the first one in the coop. That will teach those nasty girls!
 

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