Integrating smaller breed

[jleigh4510]

I have successfully integrated several flocks but my newest flock has a very tiny chicken in it. They are beyond old enough but I'm still scared to mix them because of how small this one chicken is.
Does anyone know if bigger chickens will pick on a smaller chicken just because she is small? I'm not sure what to do with her since she is the only one that small.

 

[jleigh4510]

My big flock is 10 hens and 1 rooster and the flock I want to integrate is 2 ameracaunas, one cochin and the small bantam.

 

[donrae]

What breed is the bantam?

How old is it?

It's not always about size. Some tiny birds will take on the giants without batting an eye. It's more about temperament. Have you heard the saying "It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog"? Same applies to chickens. But yes, some small birds will simply be targets.

 

[jleigh4510]

I did some searching and i think she is a japanese bantam. She is old enough to lay so im guessing about 16 weeks. The ameracaunas do not pick on her but I'm scared my older girls will. I was thinking about seperating the meaner ones while letting them integrate with the rest of the flock. Any thoughts?

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC!

You'll just have to give it a try, see if she can hold her own.
Since you have integration experience already you know that lots of space, places to 'get away', and multiple feed/water stations will help.
Short timeouts for overly aggressive birds might be in order as a last resort.