4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[gallinas]

Hi All,

 

I really want to get a few polish bantams however I currently have 4 hybrids and worried that they won't mix well together. I don't have any money to buy a separate house so any advice or first hand experience would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks x

[Redwing]

I wouldnt do it personally

 

Polands are prone to being bullied due to their restricted vision and because of the soft spot on the top of their head can suffer terrible injuries and hybrids can be nastier than most other chooks

 

I've had to split chicks up because pure bred bantams laid in to Polands and scalped a couple (who survived) and from then on have always kept Poland chicks separately once they are more than a few weeks old

 

I dare say that others may well have this combination of birds but to me its simply not worth the risk and if you dont have a spare coop etc then there is no plan B if things go wrong

[Daphne]

I agree with Redwing 100%. Many birds will try to peck polands, the crests seem to invite it, and they just can't see to get out of the way, plus their skulls are thinner and so its doubly dangerous to them. Obviously it is possible to mix breeds, but personally I would never advise doing it with polands unless you know your other birds are docile, and unfortunately hybrids can be a bit feisty with other birds. As you have no alternative accomodation I really don't think it would be fair on the polands. Added to which, a bantam poland will be quite a bit smaller than a hybrid; they are likely to get bullied.

[Roobaloo]

I also agree with Redwing!

 

There are a few breeds that I would try to mix with Polands....but never hybrids. There's something about them, they just seem so boisterous and competitive...if there's a weakness in another hen, they find it fast and go at it endlessly. Those bobbing poms are like a magnet for other birds to attack!

 

As you already have hybrids, they will be very territorial and aggressive to any newcomer. Especially if you're planning to introduce them directly (putting them together straight away rather than in two separate enclosures, introducing them at a distance, free-ranging them next to each other...then together whilst supervised etc)

 

My hybrids always seem quiet, friendly birds....yet turned very nasty when we introduced our cockerel (a sturdy Wyandotte, who was already bigger than them!) In the end, we had to remove him for his safety and establish a new flock for him!! A Poland would not stand a chance as their vision is restricted, so they don't see any danger approaching until the last moment and their skulls are fragile. One good peck and things will go downhill fast.

 

My Mum keeps Polands and hybrids...in two separate pens. She's had to reinforce the fence line that divides the two...as the hybrids were obsessively attacking it to get at the Polands.

 

It's just not worth the risk, in my opinion.

[Ariella26]

Is it just the polands that the hybrids will attack or does the same go for any bantams?

 

I was wondering whether it would be okay to mix pure breeds, hybrids and bantams, but wasn't sure if the bantam's smaller size makes them an easy target.

[Roobaloo]

Is it just the polands that the hybrids will attack or does the same go for any bantams?

 

I was wondering whether it would be okay to mix pure breeds, hybrids and bantams, but wasn't sure if the bantam's smaller size makes them an easy target.

 

 

They usually attack anything...introducing hybrids to hybrids can be traumatic enough!! But it is possible to mix them....Poland's are just so vulnerable that it's just too high risk.

Some bantams are very fiesty and can hold their own....so I would consider slowly introducing a couple of new, young hybrids to an established flock of bantams (again, if they are a fairly sturdy, strong willed breed!) But I would never introduce bantams to established hybrids/large fowl.

[Ariella26]

Would that still stand if they were all new birds together? I know a pecking order has to be established so I didn't want the bantams to be the ones who got bullied and be constantly pecked at.

[Redwing]

If they are all new birds together its a little easier

 

Its better if pure breeds are mature if they are to be mixed with hybrids, they will stand their ground better if they have some advantage, if you can get the hybrids younger it will help but so many places only sell them as point of lay, in this case choose smaller birds from the group if you can

[Ariella26]

Thank you for that.

I wanted to get a mix of pure breeds and hybrids so that I'd still get a few eggs through the winter months too via the hybrids. I'll ensure I'll pick the smallest hybrids I can.

[gallinas]

Hi All,

 

Thanks for your wonderful advice - I'm fairly new to chicken keeping so really glad I asked

 

I can't afford to buy another eglu so now need suggestions of good alternative chicken housing. Also, when is the best time to purchase polish bantams and lavender pekins - would it be spring? Does anyone know any reputable breeders in the Surrey area?

 

Thanks again for all your help and apologies for the numerous questions!

 

xx

[Redwing]

Now is the best time to buy pure breeds, I know two breeders down your way that will probably be able to help, will pm you the information when I get home

 

Bear in mind that Polands come in large or bantam size, neither are particularly big and most are realistically between the two sizes

[gallinas]

Thanks Redwing - look forward to hearing from you.

[Redwing]

I have pm'd you the two breeders websites one is in Dorking and the other Aldershot (tell me thats in Surrey??)

[Daphne]

Hampshire actually but very close to the border!

[Chortle Chook]

Gallinas, reading through the posts here what would concern me is that I don't think you have any means of doing careful intros with your hybrids. Although I've put newbies directly in with my established flock several times, this is because I have a cockerel who helps ensure fair play and also because the breeds I have are known for their docility. I would not do it with hybrids, having heard too many horror stories of how wrong it can go.

 

Have you thought of getting a 2nd hand Eglu on eBay? Alternatively how about a Doodlehouse? An intros house would not need to be big, providing you got the type of breeds that could one day mix with your hybrids (not Polands - please)