Introducing Flocks

[jboudreau]

A week ago, I lost 6 of my girls to a fox - which left me with 4 bantams. Having raised these girls from chicks, I do not want to get rid of them. (Before the fox issue - I was getting 9 eggs a day ... now I'm getting 1 egg a day.) I didn't really want to start with chicks again, so I looked in craigslist and found some older hens. Mistakenly, the hens I got are standard sized. Has anyone had any luck introducing "new" standard sized hens to "existing" bantams? I know we need to keep them separate for some time, and then let them see each other, but I fear the size difference being a huge negative impact. I am quite attached to the original 4 bantams and don't want to find new homes for them.

 

[miss_thenorth]

They will be fine together. You will notice, though, that your bantams will tend to stick together, and the new standards will stick together. I hatch out and add to my flock every year, and the noobs do not readily mix with the older bunch. They have their own cliques. At least that is my experience.

 

[kitchwitch]

Quote:
yes, you'll notice it's like high school all over again.

 

[jboudreau]

Will they be able to co-exist in the same coop? or will I need to build a separate coop?

 

[miss_thenorth]

Nope, they will be fine together.

 

[PapaChaz]

make sure you check the new ones for lice and mites before you let them mingle....