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

[Karrie13]

I have seen one of my Silkie roos try to mate with my EE. Very funny to watch as he "fell off" but still had her neck feathers and continued to arch beside her. I have two silkie roos in with silkie chicks and pullets ranging in age from 2.5 months to around 8 months old. In my layer pen I had an EE that was always getting picked on so I thought I would try and put her with the silkies to see if she could find some peace. She did and is doing very well with them, her feathers are growing back and she is happy. She has a roost in there but more times than not she cuddles right up with the silkies.

My FBCM roo in with my layer girls is always very alert and sounds the alarm if there is something he doesn't like but I have never seen him actually have to protect the girls so I am not sure how protective he will be. But he does make sure all the girls come in from free ranging at bedtime each evening.

 

[akcountrygrrl]

I currently have 4 chicks that are running around that were the result of a Silkie roo over a black Australorp hen. They are very cute with their light smattering of feathers down the legs and black skin. A couple have tiny crests and extra toes. So, yep, banty roos can mate with standard large fowl hens with some interesting results.