Sarah 2 Posted June 21, 2007 Share Posted June 21, 2007 I need help due to the fact that I already have 2 hens and the bantam is a cockerel. What do bantam cockerel's eat? Can they eat layers pellets? Obviously he'll be on chick mash for a while. Not sure what the girls will think of him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted June 21, 2007 Share Posted June 21, 2007 He can come off chick crumb now gradually, but he'd be better off on Growers Pellets until he's a bit older. After that it'll be fine for him to share the layers pellets! You two current hens will bully him though and he's much too young to stand up for himself at 8 weeks. He really does need separate accomodation until he's at least 5-6 months old - for his own safety. The fact that he's a boy won't save him - he's an incomer and a baby at that - he doesn't stand a chance . However, once he's fully mature, he'll put your hens in their place and rule the roost. But until then, you really must keep them away from him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah 2 Posted June 21, 2007 Author Share Posted June 21, 2007 Thanks for the advice. I think I might borrow accomodation for him or ask them to keep him till he is older. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted June 22, 2007 Share Posted June 22, 2007 You'll be looking for a hutch then same as me My dh is going to kill me with all the various hen houses I'm going to have scattered around. I'm rather jealous you can get away with having male. You going to hacth chicks in the future? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah 2 Posted June 22, 2007 Author Share Posted June 22, 2007 No we don't want chicks. Now I'm not sure whether to accept the chick. It all started because I wanted to get buff orpingtons but they're too big for the eglu. Does anyone know if this is true and if I could fit one in with two other hens? So anyway we went to see my husbands friend who breeds buff orpington bantams but he only had a cockerel. He said we could have him. He is lovely but I not sure. So I don't know what to do. Because we definitely would like to get another chicken as one of ours has died. We need to do it sooner than later. Help me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted June 22, 2007 Share Posted June 22, 2007 sounds like your husband's mate might be looking to get rid of a potential problem... do you really want a cockerel? can you and the neighbours stand it? I'd say no to the boy, and hang on for a bit to find another girl somewhere! (sorry, I prob dont know what I'm talking about!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 22, 2007 Share Posted June 22, 2007 sounds like your husband's mate might be looking to get rid of a potential problem... do you really want a cockerel? can you and the neighbours stand it? I'd say no to the boy, and hang on for a bit to find another girl somewhere!(sorry, I prob dont know what I'm talking about!) I couldn't agree more. I bet he's delighted to have some lovely people to take on and care for his lovely boy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah 2 Posted June 22, 2007 Author Share Posted June 22, 2007 Thanks for your sound advice. I've already called my husband to say no to the chick. We're going to stick with our hybrids and possible add another one this weekend. We're going to have a look. Then in the future get another hutch dedicated to bantams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 22, 2007 Share Posted June 22, 2007 Good idea Sarah, it's best to keep the littlies separate. Do let us know what you decide to go with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
