emchook Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 I currently have 3 warrens that are tough on the garden .. but only one tries to escape out of the safety of the omlet netting on a regular basis [ theres always one stealth chicken ! ] I am very interested in getting some bantams and I have a few questions [ sorry if they are a bit dim ] 1] Are bantams lighter on the garden ? 2] Are they less flighty than big hybrids or are they prone to jumping /flying [i have doggy neighbours either side of 6ft fence .] 3] Would they live happily with the big warrens ? 4] Are all the wyandotte bantam types similar in behaviour [ I particularly like the silver laced and the blue laced ones ! ] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 1 - Yes, bantams are generally better for gardens but this obviously depends on the particular hen! 2 - Depends on the breed but Wyandotte bantams would be OK with a 6ft fence, mine are kept with 5ft and have never tried to fly over. 3 - Yes if you take the intros slowly, I have 2 dotte bantam hens living with a very large orp girl and they got on just dandy! 4 - Yep, but again it depends on the individual hen. All of mine are reasonably tame, very inquisitive and calm and I have 5 different colours, Silver pencilled, Silver, Blue, Gold & Buff laced. They are lovely hens and I recommend them to everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 Answers! No Some are, heavy bantams are better than light ones (heavy - Wyandotte, Orp, Sussex Light - Leghorns, Ancona etc..) clip their wings and dont have launch pads such as the coop, benches etc.. next to fences and you should have no problems Yes but intros must be done properly Yes, most Wyandottes are pretty laid back, the colour makes no difference I'm another that recommends these friendly sporting little hens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emchook Posted January 25, 2010 Author Share Posted January 25, 2010 Thanks for the quick resonse Tom and Redwing.. Crikey .. I just had a look at prices for POL wyandotte bantams .. 40 pounds .. Is that the norm ? They are selling week old chicks for 8 pounds.. will they be able to guarantee the sex at that age ? If not I may as well get an incubator and start surfing ebay ... mmm ...birthday coming up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 No Well I have paid that much but not for a POL garden/pet quality hen. I will PM you with a few people who may be able to help Wyandottes you can sex within 1-3 weeks from what I have seen Buying an incubator isn't really the answer because the incy + eggs + costs of running/rearing will amount to lots more than just buying two! Imagine if they were all boys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emchook Posted January 25, 2010 Author Share Posted January 25, 2010 Thanks Tom.. I have considered the home grown approach .. and I woould love to do it .. but I dont think I could face dealing with the boys .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 DotteKerry on the Bluelaced forum (Kerry on the Practical Poultry one) sells cracking birds at a typical price of £15, she is in the St Albans area but the birds are well worth travelling for, they are really beautiful I can get contact details if needed here is her most recent 'for sale' list but she does other colours too Silver Laced- Pullets and cockerels Buff-Pullets and cockerels Columbian- Pullets and cockerels Partridge-pullets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 Her silver laced are absolutely smashing!! Very tame too. Check out my profile pic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 DotteKerry on the Bluelaced forum (Kerry on the Practical Poultry one) sells cracking birds at a typical price of £15, she is in the St Albans area but the birds are well worth travelling for, they are really beautiful I can get contact details if needed here is her most recent 'for sale' list but she does other colours too Silver Laced- Pullets and cockerels Buff-Pullets and cockerels Columbian- Pullets and cockerels Partridge-pullets I know Kerry Wilson, and have bought from her in the past - lovely birds which are just rejects from her breeding programme for show stock. She lives in Markyate, and has an advert in the back of P P mag. I love my wyandottes, my favourite was a buff columbian, I might try to replace her this year... so many birds, so little time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 Can bantees cope with the cube ladder??? We would love some, but are very unsure whether to mix them with our 12 other girls, we have a mix of hybrids, orps and marans...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 No problem for my lot, and that includes a Japanese bantam - they have the shortest legs of any breed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
