hens and bantams together, when to buy??

I think generally people say to try and have hens that are about the same size to avoid potential bullying but I am sure there are plenty of owners on this site who have both hens and banatams that live happily together. I agree about no getting them until you come back off holiday - there are likely to be rows & fights as the pecking order is established & its not really fair for somebody else to oversee that.

I would wait until nearer spring (I am hoping to increase my 2 hen 'flock' then). Remember you should quarantine the new arrivals for about 2 weeks until you integrate them with your other hens. Perhaps during this time they can be in site of your existing girls so that they can start to get used to them. Make sure you get some anti-pecking spray & gentian violet spray (disguises any blood to help prevent further pecking). Apparently when 1st introducing them it is a good idea to add the newcomers at night in the hen house when your other hens are asleep of dopy. Make sure you let them out promptly in the morning though!

Best of luck. It will be my 1st time for adding to my flock in the spring and though excited I must admit I am dreading the part where the pecking order is sorted out!

we have a bantum & a standard hen & they seem to get on ok, the bantum was first by a few days (arrived in our garden one day & we couldnt find out where she came from so we ended up keeping her & got a fraind for her!) & she is the fuler of the roost for sure!!!

we are thinking of adding to our flock in the spring & wondered how you keep them segregated from the others?

also, we were thinking of getting ex bat hens this time but wast sure it they would be ok when introducing them???