Standard rooster with bantam hens?

[stormgirl82]

We have been keeping our bantams seperated from our standard hens and Roos for the last year. However, space is an issue and there would be a lot more room if we combine them. They all get along as we have accidentally mixed them numerous times over the past year. However, I worry about the roosters killing the bantam hens trying to mate. Can they be mixed and be okay? They don’t get picked on or anything like that. It’s just the roosters mating that worries me.
Thank you in advance!

 

[sourland]

A lot depends upon how large/clumsy the roosters are and how small the hens are. Sometimes it works, and other times it does not especially in a confined area.

 

[burt4750]

I have the same type question. I have 6 full size hens and 1 full size rooster (blue Jersey giant), 1 banty hen and 1 banty rooster. The chickens are all in the same coop/run and there has been no problem until now. Both roosters have hit breeding age and the big boy mounts anything he can get his beak on. He has tried numerous times to get to the banty hen but she has been able to slip out of his grip. She is now staying in the coop most of the day and I have resorted to taking food to her. The way my run is made, there are two corners that I could either place an upside tote with a hole only big enough for her to run in or put a Christmas tree there for her to run under. I have access to cedar trees year round and thought this might be the most natural thing to have.

Or, do you think I should get rid of the Jersey giant?

 

[Alaskan]

Well... getting rid of the Jersey Giant would be the easiest...

Or, you could make a bantam only coop.. the 2 bantams would do fine together

Or, depending on your coop and run... you could set up a bunch of high places where the bantams could retreat to. I am guessing the big rooster isn't a great flier...

Put a little feeder and waterer up on the high bantam retreats.... (assuming your bantams are good fliers)

Putting a Christmas tree in there can be good... but also there is the risk that a chicken could get pinned. .just depends on the passages through the tree... ease of movement and that kind of thing.

Being very careful of spots where a hen, or either banty could get trapped, is very important.

 

[burt4750]

Thought about putting a higher perch but didn't think about using more than one. Think I'll try that first. Really don't want to get rid of the giant.....he is an absolutely beautiful bird....probably 30" at full height.