Will game hens bully my flock?

[Lucky KY Chicks]

Hey guys,
I have a flock of Dominiques, Easter eggers, Black Copper Marans, White New Jersey Giants and Appenzeller Spitzhaubens. If I bring in 3 or 4 standard game hens (most likely old english, no roosters) to be broodies hopefully, do you anticipate me having any aggression or bullying problems? I have a flock of 46 currently so the numbers would be in favor of the gentler breeds.
Thanks for any input,
Lucky KY

 

[centrarchid]

No. I use game hens as broodies along side American Dominiques and another breed I am developing. Free-range conflicts not bad at all so long as hens kept spread out a bit. Spreading applies to nongame hens as well as they are not gentler when it comes to defense of brood against other chickens.

Your bigger challenge will involve quality nest sites and roosts for hens with chicks. Done properly and you will be able to average 8 chicks per broody game hen, lower if system pushed too hard.

 

[Lucky KY Chicks]

Thanks for the input @centrarchid
I have a few ideas for broody roosts and nesting but what do you recommend? I have a little while to plan and build accordingly.

 

[centrarchid]

If nest sites to be in an overhead environment, then milkcrates with a piece of plywood and straw covering body is very handing although requires periodic checking to release chicks after hatch. Also chicks usually not able to get back in even when crate on ground. Option I use with hens nesting in field is a 5-gallon bucket with lid that is cut so hen can get in and out easily. Place 6 to 10 lb of loose soil and straw into bucket and lay it on its side. This type of nest hen can return to each night with chicks. I place so when outside the nest are ideally at least 25 feet apart and most a good 50 feet.

Show a picture of were hens expected to brood.