Merging bantam hen and rooster with pullets

[thejohnsie]

I was given a bantam hen and bantam rooster yesterday. The hen and rooster are about a year old. I have an existing flock of 8 ten week old production reds. I have read about how to integrate chickens into a flock and understand the concept. However, I am unsure if integrating a rooster and hen at the same time is any different or if I should integrate them seperately. Is there anything different as far as merging with a rooster? Will size make them more vulnerable to bullying? Right now, I am keeping them together but seperate from the flock to watch for diseases. Any advice for this newbie is welcome! Thanks in advance.

 

[Den in Penn]

You should be able to merge them at the same time. I think after the quarantine they should be closer in size. Once they are merged into one flock as the pullets grow the bantams should not have a problem with being bullied. Or did you mean the RIRs being bullied by the bantams? That could happen too.

 

[thejohnsie]

My pullets are much bigger than the bantams already. I am worried that the flock of 8 pullets will bully the 2 bantams. I may be overthinking this and just looking at size.

 

[Den in Penn]

Your bantams are mature while they pullets are not. Big advantage. And bantams often have a attitude about them.

 

[thejohnsie]

Awesome!. That makes me breathe easier. Thanks again.