Full sized roo with Banty hens?

[Julie dingman evans]

We would like a rooster and we have a bantam flock... I know that bantam roosters seldom protect the flock and live to tell the tail. So has anyone ever had a full sized rooster in with hens? Would the babies be medium sized? Would this be safe for the hens? What are the pros and cons? Thank you for your imput!

 

[sourland]

The greatest 'protection' most roosters provide is as an alarm system. A bantam rooster can do this as well as a large bird. With large roosters and bantam hens the danger of injury always exists.

 

[Julie dingman evans]

Thanks! We are most likely going to go with a bantam... just scoping out our options.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

It works sometimes, but we had a hen that fractured a bone in her tail when she was mounted by a "large medium" male. Honestly didn't know what was wrong until she mooted and was able to heal

 

[LaFleche]

We would like a rooster and we have a bantam flock... I know that bantam roosters seldom protect the flock and live to tell the tail. So has anyone ever had a full sized rooster in with hens? Would the babies be medium sized? Would this be safe for the hens? What are the pros and cons? Thank you for your imput!

The bantam roosters I came to know were very protective of their flock.

The other way round, which would be a bantam rooster for normal sized hens is what a lot of people practice successfully. The offspring will be medium sized.

It depends on the roosters abilities and cautions when breeding, but I would not consider a full sized rooster as bantam hens can sustain severe injuries because of his weight pressing down on them.

 

[JedJackson]

I think a bantam rooster is best. They will protect your flock just as well. Something like an Old English game bantam rooster would be ideal, but there are lots of options.

 

[Julie dingman evans]

I think a bantam rooster is best. They will protect your flock just as well. Something like an Old English game bantam rooster would be ideal, but there are lots of options.

Thank you yes we are going to stick to bantams!