Full-Sized Hens w/Bantam Roo?

[MrsKemmerlin]

I have a small flock, five girls - there has been a little bit of nit-picking lately so we have been thinking about adding a roo to the mix in hopes of getting my girls back to loving each other I have one BO, two BR and two BB - would a Bantam roo be a safe decision with having all bigger girls? Or am I stuck getting a standard sized roo? We previously had a standard sized roo, but he was not the friendliest, so he is no longer with us - I just like being able to enjoy everyone without wondering where the meanie is, haha!

Opinions, please and thank you!!!

 

[somadlyinlove]

Yes, it will be safe!

 

[teach1rusl]

We added a d'uccle roo (Earl) to our flock of five big girls two years ago and I've never regretted it. We went with a mature rooster (about 2 yrs. old), who was already known to be nonaggressive w/people and hens. He's no lap chicken (like my hens are), but he's a good roo. He doesn't mate unless given consent, and there's no feather loss or damage. Eggs aren't fertilized because he's on their shoulder area...lol.

I guess because he was about two when we got him, my lead hen deferred to him within 5-10 minutes of them being put together (he was quarantined for a few weeks initially for mite/lice treatments, but they could see each other through the wire). Once introduced, they chest butted a little and gave lots of stinkeye, and then it was done. Now we have lots more chickens, including two other bantam cockerels, but Earl is the head man!

 

[Pele]

You'll be both surprised (and probably entertained) by how resourceful the little guys can get. I remember one thread where a little Cochin boy named Leroy had a taste for the big ladies, and had an undying love for a particularily large Barred Rock named Barbara.

He had a habit of lying in wait until his big ladies went to the dust bathing holes, and stepped down into them. They were then 'ahem' more accessable in height. Though the OP never said wether he successfully fertilized eggs.

The best part is that the owner had an entire flock of bantam Cochin girls that this boy could have been romancing, but ooooh no, Leroy just had to have his big ladies. There really is no deterring a roo, no matter what their size is.

 

[MrsKemmerlin]

Love this!

Thank you all!