Mr Rhode Island Red Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 I was wondering what would be the best bantam breed to keep, as I was considering getting a few soon. I would also like to try breeding them at some time, so i'll be running them with a cockerel Any ideas, reccomendations or tips greatly appreciated Mr RIR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 Pekins are very easy bantams if they are kept on dry-ish run litter, easy to breed and hatch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eve Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 i had sussex and marrans the marran a good dark egg layer. my sussex didnt lay to well but easy to keep and the marrans went broodie and hatched on baby hen and then second clutch one cockerel.hope thats ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 I guess we all have our favourites but have you thought of Silkies? If you want to sell them on they seem to command quite a high price (as I know to my cost ). Also they sit well and my Silkies are laying well too. The cockerels are gentle souls and apparently not all that noisy. I'm not sure about this last bit as my little cockerel seems quite noisy enough but he is a lot quieter than the cockerel on the farm across the river about 2 miles away On the down side, I suspect, though I haven't tried it, that Silkies are hard to do well with in the show ring. You'd need just the right sized pom pom, the right feathering on the feet and right blue coloured ears. The black ones seem particularly hard as they seem to come out in all shades. (I have one that is black / blue and one that is pretty well chocolate.) I also suspect that they might need to be housed separately from your larger chooks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffy chick Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 Yes I love silkies too, funny though I heard the cocks were very loud! Plus they go broody at the drop of a hat so good for hatching eggs (even if they aren't silkie eggs) my friend got a silkie to hatch her duck eggs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 We decided on bantams due to the size of our garden. As my in laws had chickens when my OH lived at home he was familiar with quite a few breeds but remembered the Light Sussex as the most characterful, friendly and fun so thats what we went for! (We were also told that they were easier on the garden/borders but that was duff info - we may as well have bought emus!!) Anyway, our three girls are lovely and very sweet - good layers and wonderful with the children. One is quite noisy before she lays and struts round the garden shouting about it but the other two are very quiet. All in all, thoroughly recommended! Let us know what you decide! Casserole Korma Kiev Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 I just love our millefleur sablepoot bantams, they are such happy, healthy wee things. I would also like some buff sussex bantams & will look for some when I no longer have my pesky araucana. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenW Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 I just love our millefleur sablepoot bantams They are nice got a young pair on saturday at a big poultry fair but unfortunatly I will be unable to keep the rooster because I live in a housing estate. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Rhode Island Red Posted March 24, 2011 Author Share Posted March 24, 2011 THanks for the ideas, i'll have to do a bit more thinking before i decide Thanks for all the replies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted March 24, 2011 Share Posted March 24, 2011 Thumbs up for pekins here - I just love them & they are easy to hatch! I love how they waddle about when they run & their feathery feet. I also love Dutch bantams. Silkies are nice but always broody & quite stroppy with it too. Plus they are usually prone to Marecks - so books say. Go for pekins! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Rhode Island Red Posted March 24, 2011 Author Share Posted March 24, 2011 Are pekins the breed that have those kind of...fluffy legs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffy chick Posted March 24, 2011 Share Posted March 24, 2011 Thumbs up for pekins here - I just love them & they are easy to hatch! I love how they waddle about when they run & their feathery feet. I also love Dutch bantams.Silkies are nice but always broody & quite stroppy with it too. Plus they are usually prone to Marecks - so books say. Go for pekins! Emma.x I have silkies and a pekin, they go broody as often as each other! Maybe the silkies set my pekin off though And the silkies were very sweet when broody where as the pekin was narky as hell My pekin is still my fav though. Are pekins the breed that have those kind of...fluffy legs? Yep very feathery feet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted March 24, 2011 Share Posted March 24, 2011 Yes & they're round & close to the ground like little teapots with pom pom tails! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 Teapots is the perfect description of a Pekin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
