tara Posted April 19, 2009 Share Posted April 19, 2009 Im going to be getting some bantams to go with my ever growing flock they will live in an eglu.But what id like to know is how different are they to normal size hens ie I was told they are more gentle with the garden Is there any more as l dont really know any thing about bantams and im getting so excited but still got to wait as they have not hatched yet.Dont know what type only that there spotty black/white brown/white l did see the adults but l forgot to ask what breed they are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted April 19, 2009 Share Posted April 19, 2009 Bantams vary greatly in size and temperament just as ordinary chickens do. I have tiny pekins but I also have a miniature Orpington and a miniature brahma and they are not much smaller than my hybrids. My pekins are feisty, opinionated little madams who shout at the others (especially my lavender pekin) and they won't share a nesting box with anybody. However, Nugget the tiniest pekin makes good use of broody hen heat if she's feeling sleepy. My mini Orp is an out and out trouble maker. She picks on the other hens regardless of size and is not a popular hen. However, I have friends with Orps who say that they are lovely and friendly. The mini brahma is easy going, thinks she's a big girl and likes to take things easy. She's laid back and never causes any problems. I then have two mini Rhode Island reds who go round the garden together and mutter away to each other. Torres goes through phases of picking on the brahmas but that doesn't last long once they decide that they have had enough. I would suggest talking to the breeder about the different breeds but at the end of the day they all have their own unique personalities anyway. Have fun choosing. If it's any help, I wouldn't be without my pekins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tara Posted April 19, 2009 Author Share Posted April 19, 2009 The ones l saw at the breeders was like these and very small with flffy feet http://www.justpurepoultry.co.uk/userimages/DSC00421.JPG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scramble Posted April 19, 2009 Share Posted April 19, 2009 I vote pekins I just love them too much here's a pic if you're interested it was taken in october '08(click to enlarge) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted April 19, 2009 Share Posted April 19, 2009 If they were small with fluffy feet they could have been pekins. Here are mine. With the RIR and the orp mini. With some other girls. Nugget with a RIR mini And finally, Kylie my mini brahma Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tidygirlsuk Posted April 19, 2009 Share Posted April 19, 2009 They lay small eggs. I got a light sussex bantam and 6 pekins and i love them dearly. Click on the link in my signature for my omlet gallery, the big girls are at the start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tara Posted April 19, 2009 Author Share Posted April 19, 2009 So can l ask a real silly question do only pekins have fluffy feet as l may be know what they were. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted April 19, 2009 Share Posted April 19, 2009 Polish have fluffy heads! So you have plenty of choice. As with other pure breed, you'll get a variable number of eggs with each Bantam breed. Poland bantams lay white eggs which are a good size for a bantam and, in my experience, lay well. I get 12 -13 eggs per week from my pair of Polands and only had a gap of a few weeks in the very cold weather. Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tara Posted April 19, 2009 Author Share Posted April 19, 2009 Wondered if they layed many eggs my call ducks seem to up and down but laying well at the moment l found this link the bottom photo seems to be about right for what l saw but a slighty different colours browns and black in stead of a silver colour and white If they are pekins do they get on well with easy going hens or are they to small ti mix.Any more info would be great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted April 19, 2009 Share Posted April 19, 2009 I had problems in the beginning with my pekins mixing but that was more to do with my inexperience. Taking the introductions more slowly would help. Mine all free range together now without problems and the pekins, etc chose to move into the cubes with the big girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tidygirlsuk Posted April 19, 2009 Share Posted April 19, 2009 I have large fowl and bantams kept in seperate housing. They were free ranging in two groups but for the first time today went around in a big gang. it was lovely to see, and my camera battery ran out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
