Considering Bantams...Should they have a separate coop??

[chickenkerri]

Greetings,

I'm relatively new to chicken keeping and have a couple of questions. I have nine Black Austrolorps in a nice, new (thanks to hubby) coop and I've ordered a flock of Auracanas (sp?). I hope and expect they will live in harmony

My question - now I'm convinced that I must have some bantams too!! I'm especially attracted to the Silkies and Mille Fleurs. Should we build a separate smaller coop for the bantams so they won't have to compete with the bigger birds?

I'm very, very quickly becoming obsessed

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

That's not needed. We have a large variety of bantams and standards mixed in our coop. The little ones may get pecked on somewhat, but for the most part, our diverse flock gets along fairly well. We have gaint Wyandottes and small Japs living together in harmony!

You'll love the 'lorpies. Auracanas are supposed to be very friendly, too.

Don't worry, we're all a little obsessed here!

Oh, and,

.

 

[B. Saffles Farms]

from TN. They should be fine living together. Ive had Bantams and Large Fowl housed together before with much success. Get used to the obbession, I think we all have it.

 

[Snakeoil]

Yep, put them all together and they will figure out whose the boss and next down the line...

 

[denasfarm]

I use to keep mine all together but I have separated my Large breeds from my Bantam birds.

The largest reason is I do not want my RIR or Marans roos trying to mate with my tiny Silkie hens and squashing them into the ground or breaking their necks trying!

The second reason is the Large breed roos will beat up the silkie roos.

When I had mine mixed I only had Silkie roos and all the girls got along fine.

IMO its best to separate.

 

[Hambone02]

I'm getting RIRs, Blk Aus's, and BRs this weekend. I built a coop based on 3 sq ft per bird. I see 4 sq ft per here on BYC. The run is about 7 sq per. Will they be okay? They're said to take confinement well..... This thread has me wondering if they will all get along, now?

 

[B. Saffles Farms]

Quote:
You should be just fine. If you live in a climate thats real cold and your chickens dont come out of the coop for several days at a time it might need to be a bit bigger.