Mixing breeds in the coop

[BackwoodsPrepperX3]

I started out with 6 Rhode Island Red Hens, and today I got two Porcelain Bantams. One of the Bantams is a Rooster and is considerably smaller than the RIR's. The Rooster and the (what I guess to be) the Mother Hen were kicking each other until they went into the coop. The Bantams and RIR's have segregated themselves in the coop and I am wondering if I should build the Bantams a smaller separate coop?

 

[onegoldhen]

We started seperating our large chickens from the Bantams. Now that the large dominant rooster is gone, I will let them mix. The bantams are still getting pecked, just not as bad. Odd thing is the bantams fuss about not being with the large chickens. . The large chickens came to us 3 months ago as chicks. I thought the bantams would boss them around enought as chicks that as large chickens it would not matter. I have read other threads ( total of one now) about bantam and standard size threads. I am not sure it is a one size fits all art per bantam and standard integration. I guess if cosmetics is not an issue the only question is do they actually peck to death?

 

[gryeyes]

I have a mixed flock of many breeds and many sizes, and after the pecking order is established, all if fine.

Pecking order shenanigans is tough for people to watch, but perfectly natural for flock birds. The more you intervene, the longer it takes for the pecking order to be established. It just drags the feather-pulling, squawking, and chasing out longer.

 

[mississippifarmboy]

Quote:
X2

 

[CMTSMWC]

Quote:
x3

 

[BackwoodsPrepperX3]

Thanks everybody. Very helpful

 

[firstbatch]

is that true when putting new layers in with older? I have 6 leghorn layers and a rooster, and want to put in my new RIRs - i have 7 that are about 8 weeks old. Can I put them together and let them hash things out? Or should I wait til the Rhode Islands are comparable in size first?

 

[Snegurochka]

Yes, it's different with age groups, especially if you have a rooster (in my experience). Wait till they're close to the same size.

Nowadays my rooster is older and mellowed out (age 6) so he hardly cares when new hens show up, but my three youngest hens (ages 2 and 3) are jealous of newcomers.

 

[firstbatch]

thanks. my rooster isnt to cranky, but he likes to show whose boss...he is only 2, same as the leghorns...I will let the RIR get some size to them before i introduce them.