got a question

[mosse71]

for the 1st time i have gotten 4 mixed bantams from TSC to add to my 10 full size chicken flock . only 1 hen is a bantam. i plan on trading or culling the other 2 bantam roosters. the rest of my birds are all hens. my question is will my 1 bantam rooster go after all the full size girls or just my 1 bantam hen? she's just a tiny thing. I've never
had bantams before. not sure how they act around the larger breeds come mating time. they're at 9 weeks.

 

[sourland]

In my experience bantam roosters have tried to mate full sized hens, and sometimes with a cooperative hen they are successful. It's all about making 'contact'.

 

[mosse71]

im not concerned so much with him mating the larger birds but him targeting the only bantam hen because she's his size. would be great if he spend his love around !

 

[Ridgerunner]

You don't get guarantees with living animals and their behaviors, you never know for sure what will happen. But I'd not expect you to have a problem from that rooster with that bantam hen once they are grown. The danger time to me is when both are still immature adolescents. The cockerel will probably not be tolerates by the adult hens until he matures enough to act like a man instead of an oversexed boy. The pullet may be his only outlet. If you can get through that stage I think you will be OK.

 

[mosse71]

thanks. I've had many chickens over the years but 1st time with bantams. my wife wanted them. just dont want that bantam hen to be beaten up. we'll see what happens. worse comes to worse ill rehome her.