OwenLdn Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 Hey everyone, I suppose its my own fault, but I wanted to keep Bantams as opposed to Large Fowl- I have a small town garden and Bantams are just better suited to the space I have. So I have 7 hens at the moment in a mixed flock of Bantam Pekins, Silkies, Light Sussex and Wyandottes. The 3 Pekins and 1 of the Silkies arent old enough to lay yet. And the Wyandotte and Silkie are forever going broody!! And the Light Sussex is kind of hit and miss if she wants to lay! I haven’t had an egg in 9 days! Now I didn't get chickens only for the eggs- I thoroughly enjoy them for being them- but I would quite like a hen that was reliable in the egg laying!!! I have people at work who don't believe I have hens as I never have any eggs to give out!! Im about to get a walk in run- and I believe either now or in the future I may have space for a couple more hens- and ive been wondering about Hybrid birds bred for laying. I was wondering if anyone knew if there was such a thing as a Bantam Hybrid Laying chicken? As I don't want to mix the sizes- especially as the Pekins are quite small. Or even a more reliable Bantam hen for egg laying? I originally was going to go for a blue egg layer and a dark brown egg layer- but perhaps a hybrid would be better? Thanks for any suggestions! Owen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 I'm not sure if there are any bantam hybrids but it would be interesting to know! My thought is get the bantam version of a LF that lays well Rhode Island Reds or Wyandottes maybe? (you'd think your sussex would be a good one too!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 Ther aren't, but my RIR mini and the araucana minis lay very well. Every bird is different though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lyd119 Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 I'm not sure but there are Sussex bantams which are still good egg layers and are very cute when young (my aunt has one). Hope it helped. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 Leghorn bants are often reckoned to be some of the best layers - but can be flighty. Minorcas are also good I've heard (from a top leghorn breeder), and polands are pretty good but you have to take care in a mixed flock. There's a theme here - they are all light breeds (the reverse of your sussex and pekin girls) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennybrom Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 Hi Owen, I usually get at least one egg a day from my two pekins so maybe when yours start laying your production will pick up! Mini is broody now though so we've gone down a bit but we also have two pepperpots for eggs so the bantam eggs are bonuses that we pickle for Christmas. Incidentally, my two are quite happy sharing the eglu/run with my two pepperpots, sharing dustbaths and preening, and are usually first to bag the treats - I know this isn't always the case but might be worth considering. jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 I'm getting 10-12 eggs a week from my two Polands and have done since February. One of them started laying in October ( at 20 weeks ) and kept on through till the really cold weather in January. And the eggs are a good size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 between us Tricia we will 'people' the world with bantam polands Good luck with your SL and GL. They're both really beautiful colours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OwenLdn Posted July 15, 2009 Author Share Posted July 15, 2009 Thank you so mcuh for your suggestions guys- i do seem to have chosen the heavier breeds! My other half would love a Poland. But i like the idea of a blue egg or dark brown egg. I was looking for a walk in run from a site i found that lots of people seem to have used- and found this photo - does anyone know what type of hens are the 2 hens to the right of the cage? They are very pretty. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 I don't know what they are but I have two hens that were sold to me as bantam hybrids. The breeder by us is developing a blue egg laying bantam. I can't vouch for their blue egg laying abilities yet as they haven't laid yet but watch this space! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodcat Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 hey I belive if my eyes are not mistaken that the owner of that photo is a member here so undoubtedly somone will be able to confirm this but the one at the back looks like a speckledy and the other one is i think a columbine but i wouldn't swear to that. Beth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Yes it is a forum members pic, I cant remember whose it is but the two chooks look like large fowl not bantams if that makes a difference Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Most of the legbar crosses, which are being bred in the quest for hybrid blue egg layers are usually smaller than the usual hybrid birds. It's the Araucana in them - they are smallish even as full-sized birds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodcat Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 hey I belive if my eyes are not mistaken that the owner of that photo is a member here so undoubtedly somone will be able to confirm this but the one at the back looks like a speckledy and the other one is i think a columbine but i wouldn't swear to that. Beth knew i wasn't losing my mind here is the topic the photo came from and they are a speckledy and a columbine viewtopic.php?f=5&t=31574 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OwenLdn Posted July 18, 2009 Author Share Posted July 18, 2009 Thanks for your help guys! Knew I could rely on you all! I have one very grumpy Wyandotte at the moment who is locked out of the hosue- as is everyone else- but as no one else is laying it doesnt really matter! Lots of squawking from Hermione as she is very angry I wont let her in! Its times like this when i would trade her in for a hen that actually laid! This is the 2nd time she has gone broody in 2 months! Surely it cant be good for their health? I think in the future I will pay much more attention to those breeds which are known for being broody! And steer well clear! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
