older hens terrorizing bantams

[a2ms4chickens]

I had 1 bantam RIR rooster and 3 bantam RIR hens. I then added 3 2mos standard pullets. The first week, the bantam hens did not want to share their food, so I gave the 3 new girls their own feeder.

It took a couple of weeks, but they get along really well, now. The bantam hens still rule the 3 younger but bigger hens.

Good luck

 

[Bawkadoodledoo]

my silkies beat the poop out of the big girls. i think it is because they were older when i introduced the big girls.

 

[cluckychick]

I have 12 standards and I have 4 silkies and 2 bantams with them and all runs fine. Now....in the barn I have seperated 2 other bantams. One is rather small and I am afraid for her to be in with the others even though they don't mess with her to much and when they do, she's a fast little bugger. The other bantam is not well liked and I don't have a reason why but my RIR's just do not like her. She looks nothing like any of the other chicks, so maybe because she looks different she's considered an oddball?

I don't know what to do either but everyday I put them all together and supervise for about 2 hours hoping eventually they will all begin to get along. Time will tell

 

[AtRendeAcres]

The pecking order can be rough for us to watch!!!

We just got a new horse last week & same thing happens they buck and bite till the new order is established!


I have the ones I am adding in coop but separated by wire (so get used to seeing each other)

when adding Bantams if you add 2 or more chickens than are in original flock this helps (original flock gets over whelmed & there is not as much pecking

you don't want to add ones that are to young

mine free range late afternoon I have found this to be a good time to put together than I lock everyone in

If you have bantams & want to add large fowl wait till same size & put together

 

[mtnchicks]

I have a very mixed flock, from Seabrights and d'uccles up to Jersey Giants. They were raised together in 3 different "batches" (my order was mixed up and I received 3 shipments several weeks apart instead of one shipment). Raising them together is ideal, but I had three introductions of mixed sizes, and they all get along except one hen. I waited until they were fully feathered, and mature enough to stand up to the top hen or at least run or take a beating. Some of my bantams are dominant over the standards. The one hen that everyone picks on has to live with the ducks. It was either that or cull her. She literally stands there while she is plucked naked. She's dumber than a box of rocks.
But otherwise the others worked out a pecking order. I may have just been lucky. Mine can't free range all day, since I live in town, so they are in their pen most of the day.
Good luck.