Can bantams and large fowl live together in the same coop and run?

[chicmom]

Howdy!

I've got two separate coops. One is my small 6x6 A-frame, the banty coop, with 5 banties. Then I've got the big hen house, which has 6 large fowl chickens and two turkeys in there. It's plenty big. I was thinking, for winter, I wouldn't mind having them all in one coop, to make things a bit easier for me, as far as feeding and watering go, but I don't know if that's a good idea.

They do free range for a little bit together when I let them all out of their coops after work, but that's usually when I am outside with them, changing water and cleaning and feeding and such, each evening, so I'm there to keep an eye on them. The bigger ones are very curious, and sometimes they'll chase the little ones around at first, but then they lose interest after a bit.

I'm nervous about putting them together since the banties are relatively small. Do you think I should just forget about it and keep them separated?

Thanks for your help,
Sharon

 

[Johnn]

i keep bantams and big hens together

 

[Tripp16]

I keep my bantams seperated from my standards but mine dont free range. My standards think my bantams are aliens!

Im just afraid they would hurt them so I dont take the chance. Up to you though.

 

[ke5hde]

We have 8 bantams with the big girls. The little ones seem to know when to get out of the way.

 

[AlienChick]

I keep my bantams and large fowl together in the same coop.
They also all free range together.

The ONLY ones I separate are the Seramas.

 

[JosieChick]

Until a few weeks ago I would have said bantams and standards could live together no problem as I have done it in the past. I have standard girls who share a fence line with a flock of silkies and in the process of trying to slowly introduce the two groups thinking winter would be easier with everyone in one area my light brahma hen jumped one of my silkies and knocked her out. I thought she was dead but after a rushed visit to the vet she wound up being ok but I will not be putting them together this winter. I think if your bantams can "see" well enough to interact and establish a hierarchy in the group they should be ok but keep a close eye on them!!

 

[ChickiKat]

my banties and standards all live together... in happy harmony!!

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I have bantams and standards together but my d'Uccles are by themselves with a couple of bantam cochins as I have discovered they are quite timid and don't get enough time at the feeder even with MULTIPLE feeders.

But who knows for winter I just might put them all back together again for the safety of the d'Uccles and warmth.

 

[JustPeachy]

My bantams (OEGB) chase my LF (Buff Orpingtons) around, even the little roos chase the big roo when he tries to breed the LF girls!

 

[Reyvaughn]

I have 7 bantams (4 silkies, 2 Sebrights, 1 OEGB) in with the other 66 large fowl. I have one silkie cockerel, four Orp cockerels and four Wyandotte cockerels in that mix of 66, too. I do keep my bantam Cochins separate because they are special.