How many Bantams can I fit in my run with my current chickens?

[BlueTigger]

Hello! I was hoping to get some opinions on how many birds I can fit in my run. I currently have three laying hens. I'm looking to add a few Bantams. Yes I understand I might have problems integrating them. I'm going to give it a try though. I was planning on creating a brooder within the run so my current girls can see them but not touch them to make integration easier when the chicks get older. I have a covered run that is 12 X 5.5ft. I currently have three medium sized girls. Two easter eggers and a dominique. How many bantams could I comfortably fit with them? A lot of minimums are around 6 bantams. Would that be too many? I live in the Northeast so they would be in there for most of the winter. In the spring/summer they would get to free range in the afternoons. Any opinions are greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

How big is the coop, and what breeds?

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! What is your weather like (where do you live)? And how big is your coop? Six more birds, in addition to your three, will be a lot for 60 sq. ft., even if some are bantams.
I have both, but most have been raised together, although your plan to raise the new birds out there is the best way to have a successful integration.
More information will help!
Mary

 

[TalkALittle]

I live in the Northeast, too. My run is similar in size, 12 x 7(ish) ft. I have 5 standard sized birds with 2 bantams (for a long while I had 6 standards with the 2 bantams) and they all do fine I see no reason you couldn't make 4 or 5 bantams work, providing your coop space is adequate.

 

[BlueTigger]

The coop is 6 x 8. My girls only use it to lays eggs and sleep as the the run is covered and accessible in all seasons no matter what the weather. I live in Connecticut. So we do have cold/snowy winters with moderate snowfall and mild, humid summers. I was looking at maybe some female Cochin Bantams and Easter Eggers. I do like the d'Uccles too, but it might be too cold for them up here. Let me know what information you guys need. And thanks for everyone's help!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Cochins should do okay. D'uccle are smaller bantams, I wouldn't combine them with larger breeds. I haven't kept any bantam Easter eggers, so I can't comment on them.

 

[Folly's place]

I have had Cochin bantams, and have Belgian d'Uccles and EE bantams now. It's colder in Michigan, and they all do fine. All terrific!!!
My EE bantams from Cackle lay nice aqua blue eggs too.
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

You will likely have to order straight run chicks rather than sexed, for the bantams. I love the cockerels too, but if you get too many, or if you can only have hens, have a plan for them.
My one group of Cochin bantams, years ago, were adorable, but the two cockerels wanted to kill each other! It was amazing, they only disliked each other, not the other cockerels and cocks I also had at the time. I placed both of them, with their pullets, in separate homes. Peace at last!
Mary

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

My bantam cochin roosters will often fight. I let them duke it out. My birds aren't confined so the loser can get away. My Pet Chicken sells sexed bantams. For me it's worth the extra 10 dollars to sex them.

 

[Folly's place]

These fights were happening during a hot spell in spring, while they were free ranging, and they were heading into heat stroke! You would have thought they were games!
I couldn't stand it, because it just kept getting worse.
Mary