Can bantum hens be kept with heavy breed hens?

[cecilia501]

I have one Plymouth Rock hen and one Rhode Island Red hen and am wanting to get two more chicks this spring. I was wondering if it is ok to have bantum pullets in with them. The Plymouth Rock is pretty bossy so I don't know if size is important to chickens (if she would pick on the bantums more because they are small). Any opinions are greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

 

[Frozen Feathers]

I have kept standards with bantams and haven't had any problems. The biggest thing to think about is if you have a large breed rooster he may hurt the bantams while mating.

My Japanese bantam hens were probably some of the bossiest "take no bull" birds I've ever had, they really held their own.

 

[Crazy4Chicks]

out in the yard now I have 16 hens - 15 " big bottom " girls and little banty hen and I also have 1 banty roo - they get along fine they were all raised from babies together. Sometimes my little bantys get pushed around ( when treats are given out ) - but this spring I am going to build a new run just for my banty couple and I will be getting a few more banty hens.

Julie

 

[okiechick57]

I also have all 14 bantams in with my Silver Spangled Hamburg roo........he isn't huge....but my Mr Oaf Buff Orpington is going to be.......and so I will separate them soon........but those banties sure hold there own when it comes to the big hens...........I see them chasing hens around rather than vice versa

 

[cecilia501]

Thanks for the replies! I'll take them into consideration! I'm so excitied to get some new chicks!!

 

[MNKris]

We have 5 red stars, 11 EEs and 17 OEG BB and Silver Duckwing bantams living together in harmony. They weren't raised together either. We put them together this fall after breeding season was completed and they all are just as merry as could be. Now, I don't know if this would work for every breed, but it sure was easy with these! We haven't had so much as a lost feather in the bunch. They share egg boxes. Those tiny OEGs try to set on some of the older hens jumbos. It's pretty funny. Almost like they are airborne!

 

[EweSheep]

No problems, I got Orps, Wellies with my SSHbantams, a Fav and three Silkies and two Amercuana banties...they all get along regardless of sizes...its the pecking order you have to worry about.

 

[ginasmarans]

My bantams think they are standard size. No problems with them. I even have 2 little serama guys .They are as cute as they can be and act like the big birds. The only problem I've seen is when they try to get with the big hens. Most of the time she just plucks him off and tosses him down. Doesn't seem to bother him at all.

 

[luvnmyseramas]

I have my serama hens and roosters with the standard chickens. The serama cock thinks he is the ruler. But thay all get along well.