The Dogmother Posted March 5, 2008 Share Posted March 5, 2008 You need a second Eglu if you are getting bantams. Wonder what happened to that one that went on the tip? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CockADoodleDoo Posted March 5, 2008 Author Share Posted March 5, 2008 mmmmmm yes i think i am starting to come to my senses! i would really like some banties but i am now realising that it may not be possible! i will have a word with the breeder and see what he sais. thanks for all your help guys you did a good job of knocking some sense into me thanks again Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CockADoodleDoo Posted March 5, 2008 Author Share Posted March 5, 2008 just a quicky, i have heard that you can mix big hens and bantams if you have a cockeral because he will sort out the pecking order himself but unfortunatley i cant get a cockeral because i live in london Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 5, 2008 Share Posted March 5, 2008 I doubt very much that a bantam cockerel would be any match for a full sized hen, and a full sized cockerel would be a very bad idea with bantam hens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CockADoodleDoo Posted March 5, 2008 Author Share Posted March 5, 2008 hah yes i agree, with the big hen with bantams but dont the hens whatever the size respect the cockeral because he is a boy the breeder i go to has some really funny tiny cockerals with his brhamas as he mixes and matches his breeds they seemed to be ok together, its such a funny sight though! correct me if im wrong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 5, 2008 Share Posted March 5, 2008 We are just trying to give you the best advice based on experience. If you want to mix hybrids with bantams, that is entirely your choice. Just be prepared for it not to go as smoothly as you expect. On the other hand you might get away with it. It is not a risk I'd take TBH. A full sized hen will soon put a bossy little bantam cockerel in his place. One well aimed kick should suffice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyren Posted March 5, 2008 Share Posted March 5, 2008 I have to say from experience that in the right circumstances, you can mix the two - but it sounds like these are very much not the right circumstances. In my case I was left with a lone Speckledy after my Calder Ranger died, and I brought in two SL Wyandotte bantams as I thought three large fowl in a small garden might be a bit too destructive. There was no violence as such, just a few pecks and squawks to show who was boss - I think the Speckledy was just happy to have friends again. The smaller bantam did die a few weeks later, but I don't think it was bullying per se - she was rather younger than the other Wyandotte and, being at the bottom of the pecking order, probably more vulnerable to dehydration in the very hot weather we were having. If I had been more experienced a chicken-keeper I would have been extra vigilant, but hindsight is a wonderful thing... After the Speckledy died recently (following eighteen months' happy coexistence with the Wyandotte), I was pretty much obliged to get more bantams, as I wanted at least three hens in total and introducing two large fowl to one bantam was an obvious no-no. If I'd known from the get-go that bantams would suit us better, that would have been great - but there's that hindsight again I was just very lucky that the switchover worked out for me... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CockADoodleDoo Posted March 5, 2008 Author Share Posted March 5, 2008 yes i dont think that i will get bantams now at least until i upgrade hut and i can get about 5 or something thanks for all you help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 5, 2008 Share Posted March 5, 2008 Sensible decision. When you have upgraded you accommodation and runs you will be much better placed to manage the situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted March 5, 2008 Share Posted March 5, 2008 Yes, 20/20 hindsight is a wonderful thing, isn't it Eyren? Best wait until you have more space and accommodation Sam - that's sensible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted March 6, 2008 Share Posted March 6, 2008 When we went to wernlas we were advised we could have bantams and say cochin or brahma's together, as these giants are docile birds. You've really thought it through Sam, good move. I am lucky ours live together now, it just did literally cause tears as I tried to work out what to do for the best. I'm older and wiser now BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louisdog Posted March 6, 2008 Share Posted March 6, 2008 We have a happy mixed flock of 6 bantams 6 big hens, but it was quite a lot of hassle introducing them all. They were living in a 6 foot by 8 foot shed at the time which meant we could subdivide it inside, provide bantam-only areas, etc. As other have said, I wouldn't advise just adding a couple of bantams to an established group living in an eglu. The best introduction we ever had was when we got a broody to hatch three eggs for us so they were accepted into the flock without any problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
