fluffy chick Posted May 10, 2011 Share Posted May 10, 2011 As you say some bantams are friendly (like pekins) but some are flightly and not interested in humans, but then there are plenty of friendly lf breeds too. Orps or cockins are on my wish list Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted May 10, 2011 Share Posted May 10, 2011 Friendliness in chooks seems to differ quite a bit from breed to breed but the size has little to do with it. For instance Orpingtons are really gentle gals but huge, Bluebells are hybrids but again really friendly and nice, and as has already been said some banties can be quite flighty and hard to tame. The Breed Section on Omlet is really useful when it comes to getting quick descriptions of breeds. That's where I started Then of course getting a collection of books with chicken pictures in them is fairly irresistible too If you have little children, however, banties such as Pekins or Silkies might be easier than some of the larger ladies for your children to pick up, simply because of their little hands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kayemerton Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 Hi there, I am glad I found this thread as funnily enough I have also just joined and have been confused by the different Bantams or whether to go for a Hybrid/bigger bird! I live in Essex so not far from Cambridgeshire. I would be interested to hear about your eventual choice and any breeders you may come across. We are only in the initial stages of looking into keeping chickens but as I tend to want to know as much as I can about something before I take it on, it may be a long time before we get any! lol we have a 2 year old, a town garden and a dog and 2 guineapigs. I have always loved the small Bantams and I have read they scratch up the garden less and obviously easier to handle for small children. However, hardiness and enough egg laying for us to use the eggs once a week at least is important as well as low maintenance. So...interested to see what us newbies end up getting in the end! Loving this site though, I have already been on it way too much today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 Hello kayemerton, welcome to the forum . Just thought I'd pop on here the name of an book that I found to be an excellent back up to the Omlet breed site. It is "Choosing and Raising Chickens" by Jeremy Hobson and Celia Lewis. The picutres are super and each breed has a little quick reference 'fact file' with scores for egg laying, ease of keeping and sociability. You'll find lots of books that are a good read, some that are funny, some that are about specific things and one at least that has the most beautiful hand drawn pictures, but this is, to my mind, the best all rounder for beginners. It's my little chicken dictionary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sazmet Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 Hi! Have you decided on any yet? lol! I found my breeder (chicken dealer!! ) on preloved and they had loads to choose from and are still in touch if I have a problem! We started with 3 hybrid girls (have warned hubby that 2 choc bantam orps are coming!). We had 4 bantams as kids and they were so tame and silly! Id go with other peoples advise and find a dealer who has a few and then choose. xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 Agree that to choose is nice and that many breeders have lots of breeds but dont discount those who only breed certain types of chook - they are usually specialists and those chooks are often the best examples, even if you only want them as pets a good bird is always a joy to see I would say at least narrow down your choice before you start to look Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Kitty Posted May 18, 2011 Author Share Posted May 18, 2011 Hello again! Thank you all so much for your advice!.....I love this forum! Well, I think we are going to go for 3 Sussex bantams (hopefully in mid June) We have found a breeder not too far away and they have been really helpful and given us lots of information. At the moment I am just trying to convince my hubby that we should get (or rather he should build!) a walk in run.....just in case 'morehens disease' strikes! Watch this space! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kayemerton Posted May 21, 2011 Share Posted May 21, 2011 Hi Chickenkitty could you pm me the info of the breeder as would be interested in finding out too about the Sussex. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
