/ Register

  1. If this is your first time on BYC, we suggest you start with one of these three options:
    Raising Chickens Chicken Coops Join BYC
    If you're already a member of our community, click here to login & click here to learn what's new!

when to mix my bantams

Discussion in 'Managing Your Flock' started by duckin88, Oct 20, 2011.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Oct 20, 2011 #1
    duckin88

    duckin88 Out Of The Brooder

    15
    0
    22
    Oct 8, 2011
    Camden,Tn
    I have four bantam hens that are roughly two months old and have 2 marans(1 rooster and 1 hen) a barnevelder rooster 2 buffs a rir hen and 6 comets and 3 bantam roosters. What I'm wandering is when I can put the bantam hens with the resr of my flock?
     
  3. Oct 22, 2011 #2
    CMV

    CMV Flock Mistress

    6,771
    128
    281
    Apr 15, 2009
    I think I would probably wait until they are full-sized at about 16-18 weeks. I normally start my integrations at 12 weeks, but do not allow the birds to start mingling until they are between 14-16 weeks. I keep only standards, though. With the little guys I would wait a bit longer to make sure there is the least amount of size disparity as possible. I might also try a longer introduction period than I would typically use because of the size differences. The roos specifically need to be well used to the sight of the new birds before letting them mingle. If one of your roos takes exception with the bantams, it could be deadly for the bantams. For that reason I would take the integration period very slowly.

    Good luck.
     

BackYard Chickens is proudly sponsored by