integrating bantam and standard

[sunket77]

HEY EVERYONE!
well, my Banty's are getting big they are to big for the brooder. The 3 of them (2 polish and 1 cochin roo) they are 6 weeks old.
The rest of my flock are standards there are 11 already in the coop/run they have a very established pecking order and most are 13 weeks old. The 3 smallest pullets are close to the size of the banty's may be a banty mix (the only 3 mutts I have). I brought them outside today to stretch their legs in the run, I feel bad for them in the brooder! The cochin roo got in a fight with one of the small ones (and was loosing so I picked him up) The others were not happy with them either. Especially the ones lowest on the totem pole! No one was hurt

thank goodness!
I have read the best thing to do is put them in at night, only thing is the chickens are up before I am, I am not even sure when they get up. And I am worried something might happen before I get out there in the morning.

Any suggestions on what to do? I have considered building a separate place for them but really would rather just integrate them. HELP!

I appreciate any and all suggestions!

 

[sunket77]

any experts out there?

 

[sunket77]

anyone?

 

[lurky]

I wish i could help

I would never dare to mix my standard and bantam flock together

Thats just too creepy for me. I think if i had to though, i would let mine out into the yard area in neutral territory to meet. Then the small ones would have room to run.......they'll need it. I would do it a few times for them to get used to eachother first

Just a suggestion

 

[sunket77]

I have been told on here a lot of people mix their Banty and standards. But not any advice on how exactly to do that, not to mention they are a month younger than the standards. I have been thinking about building them their own place maybe I should re-consider that?

 

[Bluemoon420]

I have a section in our chicken house that is used as a brooder/introduce new ones area. The older chickens can see, and interact a little bit with the younger ones. I usually put the new ones in the brooder section for a couple weeks, and then let them go in with the older ones. It also helps if the number of younger ones outnumber the older ones.

Here's of picture of what I'm talking about in case you can't picture what I'm trying to describe

Younger group in the brooder area, and the older girls checking them out. You can't see to well in the picture but it is blocked off by chicken wire.

They have since been introduced to the big girls with no problems. There is now a new group in our brooder area. ( Bantams )

Hope that helps

Bluemoon

 

[sunket77]

thank you sooo much!!

 

[Bluemoon420]

Your welcome

I forgot to add. Wait until they are least similar in size. The bantams I have still have another week or two to go before I can put them in with the bigger ones.

Bluemoon

 

[sunket77]

mine are very close to the smallest one out there. I solved the issue in just a few hours, I combined their brooder (old ferret cage) another small rabbit cage and a plastic bin. with some chicken wire. It's all very piece-milled but it seems to be working. I HAD to do something they were miserable in the house and making me miserable as well! I think I will leave them in there for about a week and then open it one night and see how it goes. I am also thinking of leaving an opening they can run back into if they get chased.

 

[poultryhaven]

Quote:
Really? I have 8 standards in with 2 bantams and the two bantams are at the top of the pecking order. I never worry about them, it didnt creep me out