Heater connection on Omlet auto door.

[Patricia7455]

As an absolute chicken novice and not having got my chickens yet, I hope to get hybrids for eggs but have been tempted by the Wyandottes because of their pretty feathers. As they appear to be bigger than the hybrids, could I mix a couple of them with hybrids in a cube? Would try to get them all at the same time as the stories of chickens pecking one another are a bit alarming atm.

 

Also, as the Wyandottes are bigger, does this mean that the bantam variety are bigger than other bantams and would it be better to mix my hybrids with Wyandotte bantams?

[Janty]

I haven't got wyandottes but I have mixed pekins, buff Orp bantams, brahmas, miniature brahmas, cochins, RIR miniatures and hybrids.

 

 

I did have some problems at first with my pekins mixing with the big girls but I kept them separate for a while and then let them mix for an hour a day until they were fine together. Then my pekins moved into the cube with the big girls through choice.

 

I usually let them sleep where they want to within reason. In fact, I have just checked on the girls and in one cube tonight there are two RIR minis, three pekins, one buff Orp mini, two cochins, two brahmas, one brahma mini, three hybrids and one ex-batt. I have to confess that tonight I have moved a few out to the other cube. 15 in one cube is a bit cramped.

[Tweety]

Yes, I have 2 blue laced Wyandottes living in a cube with hybrids. Although the Wyandottes are bigger than the hybrids, they are very amenable (and rather dim, I'm afraid) and are near the bottom of the pecking order. I didn't have any particular problems introducing them to the other girls, and they have never been aggressive with the other hens - quite the opposite in fact. You should be ok, particularly if you get all your hens at the same time.

[Patricia7455]

Thanks very much, that's interesting.

[Gallina]

I have mixed a Wyandotte on two separate occasions with hybrids, and had no trouble. They are neurotic birds that keep away from trouble and don't start fights.

 

They are extremely dim-witted and very beautiful.

[Victoria Borwick]

I have kept them all together and still do, but it does take time to introduce everyone to each other, I allow 2 - 3 months before they are fully "together" I separate at the beginning, then I let them have time in open space so that they don't have to attack each other and gradually the pecking order is established,  I have large fowl wyandottes, Marans and snowbars all roosting together, and some new Burfords currently separated that I am still at the early stages with - 

[Beantree]

This is an old post! The issue here isn't really one of natures but one of immunisation. Wyandottes are unlikely to have been infected with the immunisation strains, whereas the hybrids will. The hybrids will shed the viruses when stressed and infect the Wyandottes. Whilst each of the viruses is a mild form, when infected with all three or more at the same time it will make them very ill indeed.

As a general rule keep pure breeds and hybrids separated by some significant distance. Doesn't apply in France as welfare standards are much higher and the UK live virus immunisations are unnecessary. We do however vaccinate for Newcastle disease, but it's a dead virus so non-transmittable and renewed every year as a condition of showing.