Different Breeds Together In Same Chicken Pen?

[CaityS]

We have all kinds of chickens even 2 bantams. We do not have a problem. The other chickens do keep a spot of feathers picked out of our Polish Rooster. It's too bad they don't keep the feathers away from his eyes. We are dieing to see what kind of crosses we can come up with out of our mix of chickens. BTW, our mixes lay just fine.

Hi,

I currently have five standard size hens (Americanas, Cochins and a Speckled Sussex). I just got two bantam hens from a friend. I currently have them separated in a large run. My other chickens get to free range all day. Do you have any suggestions of how to introduce them to each other? I don't want to little girls to get beat up, but I would eventually like them to all live together harmoniously...if possible.

Any advice is much appreciated!

 

[smoknz28]

Hi,

I currently have five standard size hens (Americanas, Cochins and a Speckled Sussex). I just got two bantam hens from a friend. I currently have them separated in a large run. My other chickens get to free range all day. Do you have any suggestions of how to introduce them to each other? I don't want to little girls to get beat up, but I would eventually like them to all live together harmoniously...if possible.

Any advice is much appreciated!

Caity, I would include them in with the rest of the flock. There will be the good ole pecking order to be established...but I don't think it will take long.

Introducing my new birds into the existing flock went very well. After a few minutes...there was the pecking order that took place between 4 chickens. They worked it out rather quickly. I stayed and monitored it. My wife wanted to keep breaking them up...but I told her we need to let them work it out...we just needed to make sure none of the chickens got seriosuly injured.

Today....they are all running around harmoniously. ;-)

 

[CaityS]

Caity, I would include them in with the rest of the flock. There will be the good ole pecking order to be established...but I don't think it will take long.

Introducing my new birds into the existing flock went very well. After a few minutes...there was the pecking order that took place between 4 chickens. They worked it out rather quickly. I stayed and monitored it. My wife wanted to keep breaking them up...but I told her we need to let them work it out...we just needed to make sure none of the chickens got seriosuly injured.

Today....they are all running around harmoniously. ;-)

Thank you for the advice! I know my little bantams would love to run free. =) I will let them out today and see how they do.

 

[smoknz28]

Thank you for the advice! I know my little bantams would love to run free. =) I will let them out today and see how they do.

You're welcome...I know the hesitation...I was there with you. I have some Silkies and they are small birds, but they did very well.

Just stick around watching how they get along for an hour or so if possible. I'd not intervene if the pecking order starts...unless one of the birds are getting seriously injured. Usually doesn't take long for one of them to back down...unlike the roosters...they can go til the death sometimes.

Please let us know how it works out for you and your flock.

 

[CaityS]

You're welcome...I know the hesitation...I was there with you. I have some Silkies and they are small birds, but they did very well.

Just stick around watching how they get along for an hour or so if possible. I'd not intervene if the pecking order starts...unless one of the birds are getting seriously injured. Usually doesn't take long for one of them to back down...unlike the roosters...they can go til the death sometimes.

Please let us know how it works out for you and your flock.

So far so good! The bantams kind of do their own thing, but they are integrated with my big hens. =) Every once in a while the big hens will chase one of the bantams, but it seems to not be a big deal. Right now, the bantams are sleeping on a perch just out side the coop...when will they decided go inside with the other hens? There is plenty of room and I know it will be warmer for them.

They are definitely all super happy to be free ranging together all day long. =)