Integrating Bantams and full size chickens

black_cat

♥♥Lover of Leghorns♥♥
May 21, 2020
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*sorry if this is in the wrong section, I'm not very good at these*

I'm currently planning on getting some *probably* bantam chickens. I might end up expanding my flock at some point, so I'm trying to do some research.
I've read that bantams will often get bullied by larger chickens if they're introduced later, but would the same be true the other way around? If you had an established flock of bantams, and tried to introduce some full size chickens, would the bantams still get bullied, even though the other chickens would be new?
 
It can depend on breeds and how they are housed. They smaller the set up the more likely you will have problems.

Breeds like silkies, polish, and bantam cochins are meek, and can get bullied more than more vigorous breeds like games and sebrights as examples.
 
I have 5 bantams, two are white and 3 times as large as the smaller brown ones... they are all the same age... I have no clue how I'm gonna introduce them into my flock of standard chickens either. The smaller ones are sparrow sized. I have no idea the actual type of bantam as they were all in the same tub at tractor supply labeled bantams...
 
I have always kept bantams separated from larger chickens for the most part but currently do have a bantam rooster in a coop/run with four large breed hens. It is quite entertaining watching him try to mate with them and boy does he try.
 
I have at times had bantams with my standards, though I prefer them in their own coops. Even with a bunch of space, the size difference definitely encourages bullying.

But...

A bunch of space is a huge help.

Also, I found that if you have heavy standards and bantams that are good at flying, a little feeder way up high, can make it so you don't have to worry about bullying at the feeder.

I also put one smaller nest box up higher, and no perch. My standard sized Leghorns like it too. But back when I had Marans, they never went there,they couldn't if they wanted to.


Two feeders, and two waterers also help reduce bullying.

So... I have housed them together, sometimes with zero issues, sometimes with some issues.
 

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