Introducing Bantam Cochins into Flock with Standard Sized Hens

[RockyMountainHens]

Hey all! I have a flock of 5 hens that are 6-8 months old. A lavender orpington, rhode island red, buff Orpington, barnevelder, and blue laced red Wyandotte. They seem pretty docile and hardly ever pick on each other if at all (though I’m pretty sure the Wyandotte is at the top of the pecking order).

I’m thinking of buying 3 month I’ll bantam Cochins (pullets) to add to the flock. I would get 2-3 of them. I would have them in the same run but fenced off from the other hens for the first week so they could get used to each other first and then let them free range together a day or two after that to get acquainted.

Do you think this is worth a shot or should I avoid it all together? I do t want to have to re-home the bantams down the road.

Here are some picks of my flock and the potential bantams I’d get.

 

[aart]

Many keep bantams and large fowl together, but any integration has the potential for bloodshed.

Here's some tips about......
Integration Basics:

It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

 

[my spoiled chickens]

thanks this was really helpful

 

[PoppasGrill]

We have a few bantams that we got with our turkeys as chicks. The Turks , all 3 Toms, protect the lil ones quite a bit.
They are over a year old now.
There are a few issues with the big hens over food, but the lil ones will run in and grab food on the go.
Our bantam Roo has a Napoleon’s complex, so doesn’t get messed with, he will bow up to the Brahma Roos.

 

[my spoiled chickens]

We have a few bantams that we got with our turkeys as chicks. The Turks , all 3 Toms, protect the lil ones quite a bit.
They are over a year old now.
There are a few issues with the big hens over food, but the lil ones will run in and grab food on the go.
Our bantam Roo has a Napoleon’s complex, so doesn’t get messed with, he will bow up to the Brahma Roos.
View attachment 3719721
View attachment 3719724

that's really cool

 

[Mrs. K]

There is no concrete answer that will work in every situation. Once in a while, for whatever reason, a bird won't fit in a flock. People often times have the misconception that if they do this, they can make it work, but often times is just misery for the victim.

Similar size birds fed an adequate diet in enough space tend to get a long well. That being said, some of those do not. Once in a while you will get a bird that just does not work with that flock. Often times she can be happy somewhere else.

When you add different size birds, or birds with top knots and smaller, these birds often don't fit in the set up. You increase the odds of it NOT working. That is not to say, that it never works, but it often does not work.

A lot will depend on your particular set up. Is there enough space? Is there hideouts, roosts, platforms, mini wall in the set up? Places where birds can get away from each other? Is there multiple feed stations, placed so that while eating at one station, birds cannot see who is eating at another station? Those things will help.

If you don't want to re-home them if it doesn't work, I would not get them. There is a chance it will work, but it is a greater chance it won't. Adding 2-3 birds might max out your space in the coop/run.

Mrs K