ails Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 Just out of interest, I read an article on the web recently which said that Bantams make great childrens pets. Apart from a smaller egg size / lower egg production rates, are there any other particular reasons why most people on the forum opt for Chickens rather than Bantams ? I think I am probably keener on a friendlier pet than having masses of eggs so just thought it was worth asking the question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Many bantams are purebreeds, and don't lay well, if at all over winter. If you are keeping hens for the eggs, rather than as a hobby, then a hybrid is probably your best bet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Have moved this to the chicken section for you Ails Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 I have 2 pure breed and 2 hybrid chickens: the hybrids are much less freindly, one was persistently broody last spring, and one hasn't laid since october... the 2 pure breeds are better layers and nicer to be around.... from the ever-so-scientific sample of, erm, four, I'd suggest that laying powers etc are influenced by what type of hybrid and what type of pure breed, the breeder, and luck. Some bantams are terrible layers, but some types are much better and lay decent sized eggs. I got chickens becuase I was worried that bantams would be too tempting for birds of prey. And, availability! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madchickenlady Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Well, I chose pekin bantams as I wasn't that fussed about eggs, and wanted some unusual pets. I'm very much an animal lover, but my son is allergic to dogs and my husband is allergic to cats I'm also a keen gardener, so chose feather footed chooks as they don't tend to tear up the garden (my lawn is in a much better state than some I've seen on here! ) My two young sons adore the girls, and their small size makes them nice and easy to pick up/cart about in a wagon/push on a skateboard. I hasten to add that the chooks are extremely tolerant of all this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 i've got bantams and full-size hybrids and pure breeds all together. the kids and I chose the banties (silkies) because they were so sweet! I find them better layers than I expected, but they do go broody at the drop of the hat it seems - as of yesterday, both my girls are broody, god knows why in this weather! the other one turned out to be a cockerel - very handsome, very sweet and very protective of his 'ladies' (and size not an issue when it comes to lurrrve) but on the other hand very loud! I am not sure how long we will be able to keep him, specially when the mornings get lighter, but he's lovely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Ima bit lost. bantams are chickens arent they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Ima bit lost. bantams are chickens arent they? bit like jack russells & great danes are dogs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffin Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 I was under the impression that bantams and large foul shouldn't be kept together? Please somebody tell me I'm wrong because I neeeeeeeeeeeed some Pekin bantams and had been worried about keeping them with my hybrids. If I can there'll be no stopping me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 I was under the impression that bantams and large foul shouldn't be kept together? Please somebody tell me I'm wrong because I neeeeeeeeeeeed some Pekin bantams and had been worried about keeping them with my hybrids. If I can there'll be no stopping me! so glad you asked. I was wondering too, they are soooooooooo cute looking aren't they. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ails Posted January 6, 2009 Author Share Posted January 6, 2009 Sorry I should rename this to bantams v full size hybrids........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 I have a flock of a dozen pure breed bantams and miniatures; they are no more ideal for children than any other chicken in that there's no personality trait that makes them different from any other chicken, big or small. Full sized chooks can be just as friendly, and in fact can be more placid that pure breeds (big or small). Bantams are easier for children to pick up though due to their size. In summary, it all depends on each individual bird's disposition. Much like people or any animal come to that. I chose my bantams because I love the different pure breeds and because they trash the garden less. The eggs are incidental for me. Perhaps it would help to read through the forum and do some online research, ask questions on here (we're very friendly and have lots of shared knowledge ), then make up your mind. Edit, just seen the post about keeping large and small hens together - it has been done successfully in the past, but there have also been tragedies.. personally, I wouldn't do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xChicken04x Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 I was under the impression that bantams and large foul shouldn't be kept together? Please somebody tell me I'm wrong because I neeeeeeeeeeeed some Pekin bantams and had been worried about keeping them with my hybrids. If I can there'll be no stopping me! Bantams and large fowl chickens usually shouldn't be kept together, due to the bigger girls picking on the littlies. However, some people have had success in keeping them in the same run. But unless you have a plan B if they don't mix (e.g a separate run and sleeping quarters for the bantams) then I wouldn't try it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ails Posted January 6, 2009 Author Share Posted January 6, 2009 Given their smaller size, is there less chance of Bantams them being compatible with a Springer Spaniel than larger breeds or is it all down to individual hen v dog relations? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Given their smaller size, is there less chance of Bantams them being compatible with a Springer Spaniel than larger breeds or is it all down to individual hen v dog relations? Not quite sure what you're asking there ails, but I think what you're asking is why big hens and small ones don't get on....... It's generally a size problem; all chickens will pick on newcomers, in fact, in common with most animals and humans, they will pick on anything that is different. A big hen can do an awful lot of damage to a smallster and I have heard a fair share of tragic stories. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madchickenlady Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 I'd just like to say, it might not be the bantams that suffer in a mixed flock. I've heard a few stories of pekins (docile with humans, feisty with other chooks!) not only being top hen, but actively duffing up much bigger breeds Indeed, I very briefly had two hybrid hens. My top pekin, Mabel, took running jumps at their faces and swung from their neck feathers! The hybrids were a wreck! I took them back to the breeder. I hadn't expected such fireworks. Yet, when I have introduced other bantams to the flock, there has been a bit of chasing and the odd peck, but no actual scalping/blinding/maiming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 There never seems to be a simple answer does there with chooks It's like, think of a question and the answer will be "that depends" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ails Posted January 6, 2009 Author Share Posted January 6, 2009 Sorry, what I was trying to ask was...... We have a Springer Spaniel and thought I better factor that into any decision between getting Bantams or larger hybrid hens. Does anyone have any advice on whether there is a better chance of larger hyrbids getting along / standing up to a dog than Bantams or is it just case of individual animals behaving as individuals? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 From experience, it is best to keep dogs away from chooks, especially working breeds. Some dogs (like Gamebird's lab) are very docile and fine with them, but I wouldn't set any dog up for a failure by leaving it alone with a hen that might flap in its face and cause the dog to snap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Well my German Shepherd cross is terrified, as is a beagle. The 2 Dobermans would flatten them maybe not maliciously but the same result! A lab cross is fine as long as watched & 2 other labs not interested, 1 retriever not intersted another would like to carry them (apparently!)Oh another retriver lets them walk all over him A Visla not intersted a cocker also. one border collie obssesively wanted to get at them, another not so. one springer desperate to get to them another not interested and a boxer next door that was obsessively, definately, desperate going to ANY lengths to get em. well I bet that helps also agree partially with Claret. oh & another post was asking if they deter foxes as her dog is ALWAYS out watching the chooks when they are free ranging Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 definitely depends on the nature of the birds. I have two hubbards (huge things) in with my miniatures but they're such docile dim things they're not even top of the pecking order. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanessa Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 From experience, it is best to keep dogs away from chooks, especially working breeds. Some dogs (like Gamebird's lab) are very docile and fine with them, but I wouldn't set any dog up for a failure by leaving it alone with a hen that might flap in its face and cause the dog to snap. Let me tell you about chooks and dogs. We have 2 dogs( 1 dachshund and 1 cross lab/dachshund) and I always thought the cross would be a problem as we have to watch her a lot with being a rescue dog but heck no she is good as gold with the hens. But the little smock of dachshund went twice for a the same chicken and had once her wing between his teeth and second time he went for her bum. I've got 3 black rocks and 1 bantam orpington and they get on fine but I been thinking about getting 2 more bantams as the little orpington is always by herself while the others are more in an flock but I am not sure anymore. Do you think they would be fine with other bantams as they seem to accept the orp? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 I was under the impression that bantams and large foul shouldn't be kept together? Please somebody tell me I'm wrong because I neeeeeeeeeeeed some Pekin bantams and had been worried about keeping them with my hybrids. If I can there'll be no stopping me! I have tiny bantams with large breeds and hybrids and they all get on fine but as someone else said, you have to have a plan B if they don't get on. My first pekin got picked on by the big girls and we had to order an eglu quickly to house her and some little friends in (well, we couldn't leave her on her own to get lonely ). I was lucky that this was my husband's suggestion and he was on board with the whole chicken keeping thing. Now I wouldn't have a problem as I have extra accomodation but you have to consider what would happen and where you would put them if there were problems. I wouldn't mind but the pekin in question now rules the roost and throws the big girls out of the nesting box when she wants it. I chose my girls because when I was browsing the Omlet breeds section, I was drawn to the breeds with feathery feet. We researched them and found that they were pure breeds that wouldn't lay so frequently but our main focus was having them as pets. Originally I wasn't going to get any hybrids. Strange thing is that when we collected our latest hybrid girls from Karen at Merrydale Poultry, she let me wade in and choose the girls myself. Although I was looking at their heads and bodies, all the hybrids that I chose had feathery feet and legs. It was fate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsallen08 Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 We have exbatts for eggs (and for warm glow inside!) But the bantams are just because they are cute! I would say they can be more difficult to handle as they are much quicker and flightier than our bigger hens but again I do think its how much the are handled and their personalities! We keep all of our together and there has never been any quabbles! Even at night they just all snuggle up together, all very happy hens! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffin Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Sorry, what I was trying to ask was...... We have a Springer Spaniel and thought I better factor that into any decision between getting Bantams or larger hybrid hens. Does anyone have any advice on whether there is a better chance of larger hyrbids getting along / standing up to a dog than Bantams or is it just case of individual animals behaving as individuals? I have three dogs, a Springer, a Jack Russell and a crossbreed. The JR & crossbreed are fine with the chickens. I really thought my JR would be the problem with the chickens but it's not, it's the Springer. The chickens can move quickly and that excites her and she wants to chase them. I don't think their size has anything to do with it. I've got Omlet netting sectioning parts of the garden and the dogs are only allowed in the garden under supervision because I just cannot trust her with them. The JR is frightened of the chooks after being cornered by one and pecked on the nose! The crossbreed would happily spend all day with them, and spend all day clearing up after them too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
