Chicken Kitty Posted May 8, 2011 Share Posted May 8, 2011 Hello Everyone, I'm new on here (hope I'm posting this in the right place!) I'm a complete 'chicken novice' and could do with some advice..... After much consideration we have decided to buy an Eglu Go and are hoping that 3 bantams will soon be joining our family (very excited me, very excited children, very tolerant hubby!) My problem is trying to decide which breed of bantam would be best for us. We don't want to breed, just keep them as pets, love them and enjoy the yummy eggs! My children are 4 and 6 so a breed that is friendly is very important to us. We have a large garden and aim to let them free range as much as possible. The garden is fenced, but some parts of fencing are low (3ft) this made me think Orpington bantams or Plymouth Rock bantams might be a good choice.....then I read about Sussex bantams and thought they sounded like a good natured breed (althougth I 'm worried by the thought of clipping wings!).....then someone suggested Pekins.....Basically the more I read the more confused I become! Please help!! I would be very grateful for any advice that would help me to make the right decision. I've also had trouble locating local breeders, we are from Cambridgeshire.....Can anyone recommend bantam breeders in Cambridgeshire or surrounding area? Thank you for reading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted May 8, 2011 Share Posted May 8, 2011 I think that is your answer really. You've got your shortlist and will be able to choose when you find a breeder. I spent ages looking for the breeds I wanted then found I couldn't get them from the same breeder Just go and have a look and you'll fall for the right ones The ads in Practical Poultry magazine is a good place to start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurmurf Posted May 8, 2011 Share Posted May 8, 2011 pekins are ideal as 'pet' bantams. Bantam orpingtons are quite big really - you'd be surprised - but lovely too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted May 9, 2011 Share Posted May 9, 2011 My Plymouth Rock bamtam is a real character and a good layer, Sussex will also be good layers - these are likely to be less broody than some of your other suggestions - my full size black orpington is lovely and friendly, but spend a lot of her life being broody! Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy ben grace Posted May 9, 2011 Share Posted May 9, 2011 Hi, welcome to the forum! You could try www.anniesmeadow.com, they have chocolate bantams that look gorgeous,(was very tempted, but have no more space!). I think she is near Huntingdon. Bantams are great, i have 3 pekins and they are such carracters. You have to remember the eggs are smaller but to be honest it wont bother you! They are great with children too! Keep us posted whatever you decide, remember we will want to see lots of pics when they arrive!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brandelle Posted May 9, 2011 Share Posted May 9, 2011 How fab.. this is exactly the same as we are going through too.. but I think we have narrowed it down now to Sussex ones We also decided to get just 1 breed too The thing I like about Sussex's is them being hardy in winter aswell as being good pets, but they do seem to be the best all round for what we want, guess I will have to get used to wing clipping thats all lol ..I have contacted a seller on this site of them in yorkshire so hopefully hear soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted May 9, 2011 Share Posted May 9, 2011 bantams are plit in to three groups - heavy, light and 'true' Heavy breed bantams make great pets as they usually are more suited to confinement than the lighter ones - there are exceptions of course Some birds in the heavy group are Orpingtons, Plymouth Rocks, Sussex, Barnevelder, Frizzles* Rhode Island Red and my favourite the Wyandotte * Frizzles are a pure breed, there are other breeds that have frizzled feathers but thats not the same thing be prepared to clip wings as even the heavy bantams will have a flutter in the air sometimes (the landing is often funny ) its easy to do and there is a good You Tube clip of how to do it True bantams have no large fowl counterpart - Pekins are in this group, others in the same group that are suitable for pets are Dutch and Belgian bantams There are lots of argricultural shows coming up, its well worth visiting if they have a poultry tent and seeing a range of birds close up, the Herts show is in a couple of weeks time and the Luton Poultry Club are having a show there If you can wait for your bantams then the Rare Breeds Survival Trust is having a sale in Brackley Northants on 19th June, I wouldnt normally recommend buying from a sale but there will be some quality bantams there - I bought some super Pekins there a couple of years ago and the quality last year was good too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 9, 2011 Share Posted May 9, 2011 I have a dozen assorted minis and bantams, all are different and great for the urban garden. As a starter type, I'd recommend wyandottes; they are hardy and friendly and pretty good layers too with plenty of colourways to choose from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted May 9, 2011 Share Posted May 9, 2011 I have a mixed flock of bantams too and I have to say that Sussex are a nicely robust breed that come in a variety of colours. Be warned though, I use them as broodies ....... I'm also very fond of my Cuckoo Marans and Rhode Island Red bantams, both of which are hardy, lay well and have never gone broody one me. I'd advise finding a breeder you're comfortable with and then choosing three from them at the same time rather than choosing a breed or breeds then not being able to find what you want. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 9, 2011 Share Posted May 9, 2011 Yes, I'll echo those last two, my RIR was a brilliant layer and so friendly, the Marans is still going strong and lays the most gorgeous dark flowerpot brown eggs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zakjon-98 Posted May 9, 2011 Share Posted May 9, 2011 Although I don't have bantams, my large fowl sussex are great! The lays 6 eggs a week each, never refuse to be picked up or stroked, they will jump up on your lap for treats and are great characters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gongladosh Posted May 9, 2011 Share Posted May 9, 2011 I've got a little Light Sussex (looks a bit like the first of Jools' pictures) - she's an absolute sweetie. Chatty, likes to forage, loves being cuddled, and gets on fine with the other (big hybrid) girls. She usually lays small eggs daily (2/3 the size of a normal egg). They do go broody though - once every 4 or 5 weeks in the summer. It's easy enough to snap them out of it, and it's worth remembering that you will get this with all pure breeds. The plus point with Light Sussex bantams is that even when broody they aren't aggressive even when you remove any eggs that they're sat on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffy chick Posted May 9, 2011 Share Posted May 9, 2011 I'm batting in the pekins corner They are so cute and dumpy, two of mine will run up for a stroke and a fuss like dogs and even will tolerate my 2yr old stroking and poking them Plus they come in loads of colours so you can tell them apart. But, they are often broody and lay dinky eggs. I agree with earlier post go to your local breeder and take it from there. I was convinced I only ever wanted silkies and accidentally ended up falling for pekins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Kitty Posted May 9, 2011 Author Share Posted May 9, 2011 Wow, thank you everyone for the great replies and cute pics!! I think I'll find a good breeder and go from there. As it's all 'new' to us we desperately want to make the right choice, but I guess that's the same for everyone when they first start out and don't have any practical experience. Is 3 a good number to start with? Also should we stick to just one breed or could I go for say 2 pekins and 1 sussex?....and are there any breeds of bantam that do not get along together? .....Sorry to ask yet more questions, but I really do appreciate the advice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffy chick Posted May 9, 2011 Share Posted May 9, 2011 3 is a great number (although looking back I wish I'd bought more in the first place to limit intros of new birds - you WILL want more ) Yes you can mix different types of bantam no probs, although I would pick from chickens from one 'flock' if possible so they are all friends. JMO but I picked 3 recently from different flocks and one was very badly bullied for a good week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Kitty Posted May 9, 2011 Author Share Posted May 9, 2011 Thanks. Very good point about getting them from the same flock, want to avoid any bullying if at all possible! I just need to find a good breeder now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted May 9, 2011 Share Posted May 9, 2011 To be honest unless you are lucky enough to get three that have been living together you'll always end up with pecking order arrangement, if they come from the same flock they will still need to rejig the order between themselves as key top or bottom pullets will remain behind at the breeders Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted May 10, 2011 Share Posted May 10, 2011 Or if you're lucky enough to find a couple of breeders, provided you get bantams at the same time and of the same age, you should be okay. They're usually so bewildered at moving home that they stick together for a while. That's not to say there won't be problems, but you're reducing the risk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 10, 2011 Share Posted May 10, 2011 Or if you're lucky enough to find a couple of breeders, provided you get bantams at the same time and of the same age, you should be okay. They're usually so bewildered at moving home that they stick together for a while. That's not to say there won't be problems, but you're reducing the risk. I've done the same several times in the past and never had any problems, just the usual gradual integration into the main flock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted May 10, 2011 Share Posted May 10, 2011 Health warning here . . . whatever you start with you are bound to contract Morehens' disease and want to get more and / or try out a different breed. (If you don't and you have an immunity do let us know how you manged to get that ) I'm not totally sure of how much space you have but you might like to start with two Point of Lay (POL) hens and then get a further two later as it seems that intros are easier in twos. Many books say three is ideal simply because it is traditional to get a 'trio'. This normally comprises a cockerel and two hens. So if you don't want a cockerel you could start with two hens and then get a further two of a different sort a bit later on. (I find that it takes aboug a month to contract Morehens disease, though some get it even sooner, so your second set might follow on the first quite quickly ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted May 10, 2011 Share Posted May 10, 2011 Nah, if you have the room, just start with four! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 10, 2011 Share Posted May 10, 2011 I always suggest a minimum of 3 to start with; it's often the case - if you have just two - that the hen left behind when one goes to lay will fret and pace up and down. Plus having 3 hens is insurance in case the worst happens and you lose one hen. You won't then be left with a lone bird. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Kitty Posted May 10, 2011 Author Share Posted May 10, 2011 Gosh so much to think about! A friend of a friend (who has kept chickens in the past) has just suggested keeping large fowl hybrids instead of bantams as they don't get broody! Yet more choices! It doesn't take much confuse me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 10, 2011 Share Posted May 10, 2011 It depends on whether you want a good, reliable source of eggs - if so, then go for hybrids. If the supply of eggs is secondary then choose larger pure breeds. If you want smaller birds (perhaps you have a smaller garden) the go for bantams and minis. I'd recommend that you do a lot of reading, go to visit some suppliers and breeders, see what you think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Kitty Posted May 10, 2011 Author Share Posted May 10, 2011 Eggs are important to us, but we want to keep them for the joy of it too, so really a friendly breed is most important (although I appreciate all birds have different temperaments much like us humans!) that the whole family will enjoy caring for and interacting with. I was drawn to bantams as they are smaller and I thought that they would be easier for amateurs to manage and handle, also the friendliness of some of the breeds.....I don't know why but I kind of assumed they would be friendly than hybrids or large fowl......sounds silly now I write it Our garden is large with fencing, so I don't think that would be a problem for bigger birds, although some areas of the fencing are low. As you suggested, I will continue reading up and will visit some local breeders to have a look. Health warning here . . . whatever you start with you are bound to contract Morehens' disease and want to get more and / or try out a different breed. (If you don't and you have an immunity do let us know how you manged to get that )I'm not totally sure of how much space you have but you might like to start with two Point of Lay (POL) hens and then get a further two later as it seems that intros are easier in twos. Many books say three is ideal simply because it is traditional to get a 'trio'. This normally comprises a cockerel and two hens. So if you don't want a cockerel you could start with two hens and then get a further two of a different sort a bit later on. (I find that it takes aboug a month to contract Morehens disease, though some get it even sooner, so your second set might follow on the first quite quickly ) I can imagine 'Morehens disease' is a very serious condition....think I'd better warn my hubby! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
