Large fowl and Bantams

[Knittycat]

I've got 7 large fowl and 2 banties. The LF are 8 weeks and the Banties are 7. The LF are in the coop and the banties are in my front room in a brooder. I don't plan on introducing them until the bantams are fully grown. I plan on doing the whole caged off thing for at least two weeks before letting them interact.
Now, my Mr is 100% CONVINCED that the LF will kill the banties. And he's holding the fact that he was "right" about keeping two roosters would cause one of them to kill the other. Dood, at 6 weeks one of them started picking on one of the pullets to the point of blood being spilt, and I culled him. A sexually immature cockerel being an ass and picking the feathers off of a pullet =/= two roosters fighting and one killing the other. He is convinced that the two people he's talked to that raised chickens a long time ago know more than the tens of thousands of BYCers I interact with every day.
I don't think the LF will necessarily kill the banties. I'm sure there will be some fighting at the beginning and the occasional spat during pecking order disputes, but I believe that they will probably work it out and the banties will essentially be fine.

So tell me folks, are my banties doomed to a bloody pecking death or will they co-exsist in a semi-content state with the LF? (like I've seen photographic and anicdotal evidence on BYC)

 

[gamebirdsonly]

They will just fine I have bantam and LF chicks running together No problems also have grown birds all running together. Have few fights with banty roos and LF hens

 

[Knittycat]

That's what I thought. I'd love to hear more folks chime in too. Especially if you have more than just a few chickens on more land than just a little back yard. He's convinced y'all are hippy urbanites that don't know a wattle from a cochlia.

 

[Knittycat]

C'mon! Nobody? I wanna prove him wrong here!

 

[secuono]

The only problems I see are;
Roo is very consistent in his aggression and you do not remove him from the flock.
Or you have a Serama, Old English GB or other TINY breed and your largest standard is too aggressive w/mating, dominance, etc.

Other than that, they should get along. Mine are all mixed together, even 6wk chicks with adults and all are fine.


Adding, I have 80+ chickens, a few large standards and a pair of OEGBs, all live in harmony. Also have over 10 roosters, maybe 15, been awhile since I've counted. They free range on 2 acres from dawn to dusk.

 

[TayFray!]

well it depends on what kind of bantams you have! my large fowl killed my bantams, but i had the really small ones like old english, if you have the polish or cochins or such they should be ok, but you have to be careful the larger chickens wil hog the food and the smaller chickens immune systems will become weak and they will be more seeceptible to diseases, and they are most likely to die! sorry for the bad news!

 

[secuono]

TayFray! :

well it depends on what kind of bantams you have! my large fowl killed my bantams, but i had the really small ones like old english, if you have the polish or cochins or such they should be ok, but you have to be careful the larger chickens wil hog the food and the smaller chickens immune systems will become weak and they will be more seeceptible to diseases, and they are most likely to die! sorry for the bad news!

That's also true, make sure food and water is spread out so they can be far enough away from the bullies to eat/drink in peace.
I have 3 food dishes on opposite sides of the coop, 2 waterers 2.5ft apart and then water also outside. If water is too close together, they will spill it all out while they flee from the ones picking on them.​

 

[Knittycat]

Awesome! Thanks! I've got a bantam Light Brahama and I'm not sure what the other one is. I'm certain they'll be able to hold their own and won't even necessarily be the bottom of the pecking order.
The most amusing thing about all this is he is certainly not a farm boy. A red neck for sure, but he was not raised on or near a farm. So of course he knows better LOL!

 

[infernoflower]

My flock is fine, I have 2 bantam araucana hens running with 15 LF of various breeds. My 2 roos(who do not fight) are bantam araucana and everyone does just fine. BTW, the height of entertainment is watching the smallest roo attempting to tread the LF dark brahma.

 

[TayFray!]

haha!! also, i had a bantam nankin get pecked to death by my layer hens, but just warning you, but brahmas are on teh larger side of bantams so they should be allset, my buff rock bantam was all set so good luck but you should be all sett! glad I could help!!