Is it wise to mix bantam breeds?

[Bantams=Banter]

Still researching before buying, and I was just wanting your opinions please...

Would it be wise to mix Welbar bantams, Plymouth Rock bantams and Pekins?

I can't decide which I prefer...

Many thanks as always...

 

[Hen-Gen]

It's absolutely fine though bare in mind that introducing any strange birds to one another can be stressful until they establish a pecking order. But this is a good time of year to do it.

 

[Marigold]

Also it's good to get them all at the same time from the same place if you want to minimise aggression to the later arrivals. Chickens immediately set to and establish a pecking order, and after even so little as a day or two, newcomers will be met with suspicion or worse.
The other important thing to know is that if you do introduce birds from more than one location, the batches should be kept quarantined from each other for a couple of weeks. This would mean dividing the run with mesh and providing temporary sleeping accommodation for the later arrivals, or providing a second setup. You'll need to be able to do this anyway, whenever in the future you get replacements or additions to your flock, or if/when you have a sick or injured chicken. Moving home is always stressful for chickens and this frequently depresses their immune system so they go down with latent illnesses, even though they appeared perfectly healthy at the breeder's. Or, of course, if not vaccinated, they may introduce some virus or other to the others. So, when starting out, get them all together from the same place if you can, it's just simpler.

 

[chrismahon]

We don't mix breeds or even colours anymore as it leads to serious bullying of what they perceive as the odd-one-out. If you did mix I suggest 3 different breeds of three different colours. As Marigold says they need to come from the same place at the same time and be of the same age. The simplest is going to be getting the same breed all the same colour or three completely different colours, but all from the same breeders pen.

 

[Bantams=Banter]

Once again, thank you all!

They would all be coming from the same place, all roughly the same age, on the same day so I'm presuming will all be in the same transport box on the way home, and all being put into the same clean fresh new coop.

I'm almost 98% sure I'm going with all Pekins, but being a Libra I can never make my mind up fully about anything!!

I've had a brain wave regarding a barely used hutch being transformed into a coop too, but I'll put that in another post...

 

[rick]

Just a thought...
Whenever I have picked up new pullets from the breeder the transportation on offer (if you haven't got your own, tends to be a cardboard box (with holes in but still pretty tight.) This is OK for a short trip and there is a general thought that it is good for them not to have room to flap around but in my experience they get pretty hot, panicy and panty in there if its more than a couple of minuets.
I always transport mine in a dog crate now with lots of room, with a blanket (or similar) in the bottom so they have some support and are not rolling around, just with a loose cover over so they are not worried by the passing scenery. They don't get in a flap and seem fairly relaxed on a half hour drive. You can also just open the door when they arrive in the run and choose for themselves to brave coming out (in a totally new environment that can take 15 minuets or so)

 

[Bantams=Banter]

Just a thought...
Whenever I have picked up new pullets from the breeder the transportation on offer (if you haven't got your own, tends to be a cardboard box (with holes in but still pretty tight.) This is OK for a short trip and there is a general thought that it is good for them not to have room to flap around but in my experience they get pretty hot, panicy and panty in there if its more than a couple of minuets.
I always transport mine in a dog crate now with lots of room, with a blanket (or similar) in the bottom so they have some support and are not rolling around, just with a loose cover over so they are not worried by the passing scenery. They don't get in a flap and seem fairly relaxed on a half hour drive. You can also just open the door when they arrive in the run and choose for themselves to brave coming out (in a totally new environment that can take 15 minuets or so)

Thanks Rick!

I was thinking of using a plastic cat carrier (we have a massive one because one of our cats is rather portly..), but this is giving me some concern because the nearest two places that sell Pekins are about a 90 min drive away..!!
I'm having absolutely no luck finding anyone with a legit website nearer to Stockport than Preston or Derby!

 

[dinosaw]

Never had a problem with cardboard boxes, in fact have always felt that because it goes dark in there when you shut the lid it calms them down. Obviously you only go two birds to a box and make sure there are plenty of air holes.

 

[rick]

Yes, definitely subdued light helps. I think the box I was given one time was just a bit too mean in proportion!
But I do think that that, within reason, the more elbow room the merrier - especially for a long trip.
Plenty of ventilation - couple of hours will be fine. Mine do actually peck at a bit of cabbage on the way (very unorthodox goings on )

 

[Marigold]

Many years ago I found two strong cardboard wine boxes, the sort that hold 12 bottles. I used some of the 1/2" green mesh from the sides of our run and constructed mesh lids for each, fitting neatly over the top with a couple of inches bent down the sides. These are held on by an elastic rope hooked into the mesh and wrapped round the bottom of the box. Lined with newspaper and some Aubiose on the bottom which is disposed of afterwards, and boxes stored in the attic until next time. On the odd occasion when I've been collecting chicks or growers I transported 2 to a box, but normal point-of-lay hybrids each gets her own box. I think for Pekins or bantams I would try to collect 4 smaller boxes and adapt them with lids. The boxes thus have full ventilation over the top, and can be belted in on the back seat, where the birds can have the advantage of the aircon when it's hot. Birds can be put in from above and removed the same way with no hassle, much easier than groping into a cat carrier. Main thing is to ensure a cool drive in a well-ventilated car, and a run and coop which is all ready to decant them into - then leave them alone and quiet, hard though it may be, to sort themselves out in peace.