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[koo2cat]

We are thinking of getting some Bantams. I just wondered if they are able to get up the cube ladder or indeed if the cube is suitable for them? Also what are the best Bantam breeds to go for in terms of making nice pets and good egg layers. We intend to keep them separate from our bigger birds. How much space do they need ie how many could you comforatably put in an Eglu or a cube with a run given that they won't be free ranging that often? Sorry, I know thats alot of questions!

 

Any advice gratefully received.

[Space Chick]

I'm not a bantam "expert" however, I do have several myself and can answer your questions no problem

 

Bantams can get up a club ladder fine Mine even fly up to the door occasionally and by pass the ladder

 

As for breeds, you mention that they would be living in an Eglu or Cube with Run, so this would have a bearing on the breeds I would suggest, as some don't tend to do as well with "exposed" living I know other people have had them in Eglus and cubes but I would avoid Silkies, Pekins, Brahma bantams... Anything with fluffy feet.. These girls like to stay dry

 

You want good pets and good layers - again avoid all the breeds I've already mentioned, they go broody at a drop of a hat so whilst they will lay OK once they go broody you can say goodbye to eggs for weeks.

 

Good bantam layers would be something like a Rhode Island Red Bantam, some Wyandotte bantams (although can be prone to broodiness) or light Sussex bantams.

 

As for run space I'd say 3 max in an eglu annd run, 5 max in a cube and run (unless you get extensions)

Basically in summary avoid anything too small or with feathery legs, go for a more sturdy bantam

[koo2cat]

Thank you so much for that! Very helpful indeed. If the run is covered and is on slabs with aubiose (or similar on) could I then have the fluffy feet variety? Im not bothered about having those hens but they are quite cute!

[Redwing]

Most bantams would be ok for a cube with the exception of Japansese who need a coop at ground level or a ramp

 

A log or upturned flower pot as a step at the bottom of the ladder would be a good idea

 

Most of the 'heavy' breed bantams - Rhose Island red, Sussex, Wyandotte are pretty calm and good layers with clean legs (not feathery) and a farmhouse shape, bantam Orpingtons are also nice but less productive

 

The 'light' breed bantams like Leghorn, Araucana and Welsummers are all good layers and less likely to go broody but are a little more flighty (the big exception is this group is the Silkie who is placid and lays well but goes broody at the drop of a hat!)

 

The 'true' bantams are more pretty than productive but Pekins are a bit of an exception, they lay better than most and the eggs are an ok size but can be a broody nightmare

 

Feathered feet can be a problem so a dry run is important in winter, some feathery legged breeds cope better than others, Pekins are pretty hardy but all will need their feet cleaned every now and again

 

For either an Eglu or a cube with a standard run I'd say three bantams, maybe four if they are small or if you have a cube (If you want Orpingtons have one less as they are bigger) the Eglu and Cube can house many more but the run size restricts you

[quickcluck]

I have 3 lovely Pekins in my flock, they all live together so are mixed in with hybrids, marans and orps. They have choosen to live in the Eglu on their own tho, the ladder is no problem as they can fly REALLY well!

 

Our run is covered, but does get wet occasionally, so far we've avioded any feet washing..... They have yet to lay so can't comment on their eggs, or broodiness, if they are as bad as my Maran it'sn going to be a tough summer!

[Salop Chuck]

While not being a bantam 'expert' added 4 bantams to my original 2 omlet hens a year ago. The breeds I chose were Black Australorp bantams (delightful characters and very calm) and 2 Buff Rock bantams. I would never get Buff Rocks again because the moment I left the breeder they were at each other tooth and nail on the journey home. It was so bad that I had to take them back within an hour of getting them to have bumper bits inserted. A year later, one of the Buffs has calmed down, is a good layer and has stopped feather pecking. The other is a right pain and needs watching closely all the time. She is very sneaky and has a go at the others when I'm not watching, especially at night !

 

As for the Australorps - they are moderately good egg layers, very hardy and cope with winter weather well as well as being absolutely cute and gorgeous . They are prone to broodiness but break out of it easily enough when the right measures are taken.

 

I have a ramp over the ladder so I cannot say whether they could negotiate the ladder but they are good jumpers and fliers.

[Perfectspace]

I'm definitely no expert, as I ONLY have experience of Light Sussex Bantams - but I wanted to say that we feel we really made the right choice after lots of research.

 

They are fantastic for a first time Eglu/Bantam owner. Very friendly, fun, hardy (very it seems) and great layers. A slight tendency to broodiness (just experiencing a quick episode now, after having laid through Winter), but not often and they seem to easily overcome it (with a little help!)

[goodinparts]

Oh dear

Feeling all sad & anxious now as I'd been hoping to get a couple of Pekins as well as a frizzle & a couple of Wyandotte bantams to live in my go with extended run...The idea was to put paving slabs & aubiose down, & cover with clear plastic - will that really not work for them? I love feathery feet & would be sad not to have any in the flock but the chicken area is bare earth (under some conifers - not JUST the impact of my existing girls) so does get muddy at times (though it's a slope so tends to drain quite quickly.....

Advice/opinions welcome - I don't want to create a recipe for disaster but do hope some feathery feet might be possible

[Redwing]

Its all possible but its not nice seeing Pekins with filthy wet feet, I bring mine in and wash the footings off every now and again, any feather legged breed can hide a scaley leg mite problem and long nails so getting them in every now and again for a salon treatment is a good idea anyway

 

You can always trim the feathers back a bit too

 

Its not ideal but with careful management would be ok, Pekins are at least pretty hardy

[goodinparts]

I suppose the other option would be to move the go onto the patio....OH might take a little persuading but worth a try I think.

[madchickenlady]

I have 8 pekins that live in a large coop and covered run (on slabs, with aubiose). They free range daily, but I find that they actively avoid wet/muddy conditions and stay in the run if the ground isn't to their liking. I check their feet weekly, and maybe once or twice in the winter wash their feet to prevent any mud balls growing. Have had them 3 years and it's never been a problem

[Patricia W]

I have 3 poland bantams in a cube and standard run. Two are frizzles and one is smooth coated. Last year they were prolific layers of good sized ( for a bantam!) white eggs between February and October. I don't let them free range with the "big" girls so they are in the run most of the time. We've got sparrow hawks around as well and I think they'd make a nice mouthful!

[keyhole kate]

I have a silkie pekin and a pilkie all are either fluffy or have fluffy feet living in with my big girls in a cube and WIR they have no problem with the cube ladder often flying up instead yes they are prone to going broody but a small price to pay if the cuteness is the more important factor than eggs and they are such wonderful little characters very tame and friendly. I also have a frizzle and pekin in a separate at the moment but intend to intergrate in with the big girls Go for it I say

[Chortle Chook]

I'm certainly no expert but I love my Silkies and Frizzles. They are very frindly, easy to pick up and talk a lot.

They FR all day long, every day in my 20m garden and don't get very muddy but then perhaps we have a rather dry garden as plants like lavender do well here. My Frizzles have yet to lay a single but perhaps they are still too young. I think someone on here said that they would most likely not start till May. The Silkies have laid eggs all winter that are not all that small, have lovely deep yellow yolks and are rich too, but since Christmas, out of three girlies, I've had one broody one all the time. That gives us 1-2 eggs a day which is fine by us, but if you have a family you would probably want more.

[mollyripkim]

I have silkies too in a covered go with run extension on the patio, will move back to grass in the summer, however they do free range every afternoon. Never had a problem with their feathery feet and legs although again they don't venture on the wet borders much. They have layed all winter, one went broody for a couple of weeks but is laying again now. I think they are lovely, really chatty and friendly, they charge round the garden after me and are quite happy to jump on my lap especially if grapes are around.

[Janty]

I have pekins, 2 mini Welsummers, a mini Orpington, a mini brahma, a silkie and 2 mini RIRs.

 

They all get on fine with the wet as long as you keep an eye on their feet. I bring mine in once a week to check them over and wash away any muddy build up. I would recommend the pekins and wellies. I would never ever have RIRs again as mine are head cases and try to pick fights with the LF brahmas (not a sensible idea).

[chuckmum6]

My banties have no problems in a cube, they love it, they have a 6m cube train and an area fenced off with netting. But I am thinking of getting a wir run for them. They lay lovely egg, maran bantams are quite big for the size of birds, and mine haven't stopped laying all year.

[Mollie333]

My 14 Pekins won't go on wet mud.

 

I haven't got a covered run but use bark and have perches with shades/shelter, so they have a choice whether to go and free range in the mud, or not.

 

I do have to clean the feet sometimes.

[scarlettohara]

Mollie is right, they tend to avoid muddy wet areas, if it is a warmish day then I will give all 10 feet a wash which they seem to quite enjoy

[koo2cat]

Thank you all so much for your most informative replies. It sounds like we actually might be spoilt for choice! Hmmmm how many shall I have!

[Chortle Chook]

Start with just two or three because you are bound to want to increase your flock and try out other breeds when you get the hang of things. Morehens seems to strike us all eventually.

One thing - if you want to have names for them, don't get three of the same breed and colour. Sounds obvious but it was my first mistake

[LizzieLloyd]

By no stretch of the imagination am I an expert but I have two black pekins and have no problem with them going broody and although they have been pretty sp"Ooops, word censored!" on eggs throughout the winter months. They do look a bit sad and bedraggled in the wet weather and tend to avoid snow but they happilly play out in the rain.

I have two light sussex banthams who are great for laying and have done so consistenly throughout the winter months. They are as tough as old boots and will tolerate any weather - even deep snow!

With regard to our silkie... broody is her middle name and she hates anything other than a sunny day! She's very cute though and friendly which makes up for any shortfall.

[Minkey]

My pekins (4 girls and 1 cock) don't mind rain but hate snow. They free range all day and just avoid the muddy bits don't like! They are fab layers, but I have 2 who go broody easily. The other 2 however, never have.

 

Min key x