Angie Posted July 27, 2011 Share Posted July 27, 2011 I am down to two bantams a well summer and a arauchana, I lost one in the winter and another to a ???virus a couple of months ago, would very much like a couple of warrens to boost the flock before winter, is it a good idea ? Will they take if i get pol warrens and do gentle intros ? they will have to live together in a cube. Or should i wait and start afresh later... my well summer is the only one laying and i am missing the eggs . Advice please .. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted July 27, 2011 Share Posted July 27, 2011 Hi Angie - I have both and don't mix them. My bantams are tiny and don't free range at all as we have sparrow hawks around. The LF which are ex-bats and Aracaunas do mix with Polish hens which are smaller than " normal LF" but larger than my bantams. They get on but I have had to separate out 3 of the Polands as the ex-bats were eating their hair! The other two seem to be holding their own, but they tolerate each other more than really get on. Some people have mixed bantams and LF but it needs special care so if you go ahead you need Plan B in case it doesn't work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karlotta Posted July 27, 2011 Share Posted July 27, 2011 I think it's doable if you can give them plenty of space... I've got a couple of bantams who live with my LF girls (a RIR bantam because I rehomed her with a couple of big girls so didn't want to separate them, and a bits who was a bit of a bully so I relegated her to take her chances with the big girls and both are fine). I also have a LF favorelle who decided she didn't want to go back with the big girls after her toe operation (long story!) and decided to bunk up with a couple of polands temporarily. She's a real wimp and now lives mostly with the pekins etc and has a 13/14 week Frizzle pekin boyfriend! I'd agree that you could easily need a plan-b in case it doesn't go to plan... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindafw Posted July 27, 2011 Share Posted July 27, 2011 I have 2 huge buff orpingtons (hen and cockeral), two medium dorkings (hens), one buff sussex hen and a tiny polish bantum hen and cockerel who all sleep together in a cube and free range during the day. My eglu classic houses 3 aracunas who free range with the others but have not as yet chosen to go in the cube. Originally my polish were in the classic and they chose to go in with the big hens at bedtime...giving me a chance to give in to morehens and get the aracunas lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angie Posted July 27, 2011 Author Share Posted July 27, 2011 maybe better to stick with banties or small hens then. will have to look around and see what i can find in yorkshire. I worry that my two wee girls won't survive the winter in the cube alone and a few more would be much better for them. Thanks for advice. xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocolateeclaire Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 I have just added 2 bantams (COF) to my 5 big girls. I had them apart for 2 days then let them all out together. They free range in the garden and the bantams are so much faster than my girls so keep out of the way of any pecks!! Must admit they do sleep apart - girls in the cube and bantams in the rabbit hutch. Claire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angie Posted July 28, 2011 Author Share Posted July 28, 2011 Went chickie shopping just meant to LOOK.... Came home with brown leghorn banties and a black rock/ poland bantie ( minus headress ), just 3 you understand. Gave the cube etc really good clean and dusted the newbies before starting intros.....All 5 are doing extremely well for first day.....fingers crossed it continues, new girls are coming up 16 wks and are all a good size next to my remaining two. Feel better as they will get through the winter now and i will have the eggs i am missing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
