Mixing bantams with Standards?

[AnHourToGarden]

It sounds like a standard roo breeding with a bantam does not cause the egg to be larger - is this correct? I want to get a couple bantam cochin hens for my BC roo, but I'm worried my orpington roo will breed with them and the egg size will hurt them.

The bantam birchin cochin roo has breed with my standard buff orps and produced beautiful chicks. They're sort of a hawk pattern (maybe that's a stretch, but we call them 'the hawks') on a light buff color. They're only about 6 weeks, so I don't know how big they'll ultimately be, but I think it will be on the smaller side. The little roo has long feathers in his neck, like daddy, and the little hen has short neck feathers, like her mama.

 

[sonshine15]

It took some time to get my adult layers, hens and 1 roo to mix well with the next batch of 11 but they are doing well now. The greatest challenge I thought I would have is 3 young silkies. I left them in with 8 chickens close in age from chicks, CWs, BO's and others. The silkies hang with that group and all get along great! They have two indoor coops so they're not overcrowded and free range during the day. Very spoiled chickens but we love them!

I have a question about the free range and the roo we've had a couple years. He's very friendly but he's also pretty large. The silkies are one roo and two pullets. Should I be worried about the larger roo or will the little roo be enough to keep off any advances made by the other roo? There's more than enough area for them to remain away from the others and/or get away. They use the larger pullets their age also to hide if a cranky hen comes too close. I keep a close eye on them and they're not allowed out to free range or in mixed pens when I'm not home. I really dont want to get rid of the roo but also want the silkies safe...........

 

[chickie-doo]

I've often had mixed flocks over the years(bantam with standards). But what I would not do is have standard roosters mixed in with bantam hens. They can completely overwhelm and stress those little girls when they want to mount/breed

 

[AnHourToGarden]

As the months have passed... My bantam cochin is the dominant roo of our mixed flock, with his two mixed-sons being the underdogs even though they're larger than dad. The two standard orp hens are just starting to breed and they've have chosen the dominant roo to breed with (the cochin bantam). As for the bantam cochin hens, they're little bullies and the subordinate roosters are afraid of them. lol My d'uccle hens are kept in their own enclosure with no access to the roosters. They're just too small and docile, even for the our sweet bantam cochin.

We lost the standard white rock roo, but he was only breeding with the hens he grew up with (all standards). He never bothered the bantam hens.

I wouldn't introduce an adult rooster into the flock. There would be too much fighting and my bantam cochin would likely lose his status at the very least.

It's definitely interesting to watch them, especially since they're different breeds, different sizes and different ages - ranging from 3 years to 6 months. The birds who were in the brooder together have stayed together as adults. I sort of have several flocks making up the herd.

 

[sonshine15]

Thank you both! I guess it comes down to simply watching how they all do. The laying group and roo don't hang with all the others ...........yet...........and am hoping they don't. I do not want the silkies hurt at all! We've had the roo a long time and he guards the flock very well from predators, also makes the nest for the hens. I don't know if he's telling them to lay or telling them to brood!! Either way all the kids are special