stu Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 Okay... all our hens were killed by a dog recently, and at the time I vowed I wouldn't get more because they will always be vulnerable where we live (dogs, foxes etc) However, I am rethinking this, as I kinda miss having them now. So, come the warm weather (granted, we live in Ireland so this could be 2016) we will be looking to get more. I have a cube with the standard run and one additional run added... so basically it is three meters long including the space under the cube itself (see little picture in my sig). If I were to get three small birds, would they be happy never getting out of this run? They would of course have all the hanging bits and pieces to peck away at. Thoughts? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 Hi Stu, So sorry about your girls!! But in answer to your question I kept 5 pekin bantams in that set up happily last year. I have since added another metre and will soon be adding a couple more girls to the 5. I do also when I'm home allow them to FR, but this winter with the awful weather we had they have spent alot of time just inside the run!! Got 4 out 5 laying!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 Sorry to hear about your previous girls but I know what you mean, it's never the same to have an empty garden! A 3 meter run would be fine for 3 bantams in it without free ranging, maybe even a couple more as they're small You could get a mix or pretty and productive - maybe Pekins for character, Wyandotte for prettiness and Sussex bantams for eggs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 I think four bantams would be fine in that space I keep trios in standard Eglu runs no problems There are plenty of breeders of bantams over there, the Poultryni forum would be a good place to ask if you get stuck for suppliers, they have members in NI and EIRE I'm so sorry about your girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stu Posted February 9, 2013 Author Share Posted February 9, 2013 Thanks for the advice, and the forum name... appreciated I think we will look to an Irish breeder and maybe pick up a mix as suggested, but only three. I like to think that if something happens to one of them, the remaining ones will still have company. I'm a big Newcastle United fan and seem to recall on this forum someone had a fine black and white bantam? To be honest... I was miserable today because I had to finish pressure hosing the cube. I have turned so damned soft..! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 My pekins have 2 separate perches and a dustbath in their run. I also hang up greens and have a pecka block hanging from the cube ladder. I'm sure 3 girls would be very happy!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surf_space Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Did the bantam happen to be on this topic? http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=90058 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stu Posted February 10, 2013 Author Share Posted February 10, 2013 Did the bantam happen to be on this topic? Yes... that's the one. I'm very envious..! Also... I never heard of a pecka block, but it sounds like a good thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 . I never heard of a pecka block It's just a block of corn and grit on a stick you can hang in the run for them to help themselves!! Battles the poultry company make them in 2 sizes and they're not very expensive either! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 You need one of these then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stu Posted February 11, 2013 Author Share Posted February 11, 2013 I do need one of those... they're fantastic, and look like they're already wearing Newcastle United jerseys. Let's face it... I am going to have to demonstrate impeccable self control when choosing new birds. Not something I am very good at, really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 Those are some of my barred Wyandotte bantams - there are a couple of breeders over there, some of mine went over there to other breeders Other birds on the black and white theme that come in bantam size would be: Cuckoo - Araucana, Belgian D'anvers, Maran, Pekin, Orpington Barred - Wyandotte, Pekin, Plymouth Rock Spangled - Hamburgh, Appenzeller (bantams are rare but even the large fowl are small) Thuringian Mottled - Wyandotte, Pekin, Orpington Laced - Sebright, Wyandotte, Orpington Others - Ancona, Exchequer Leghorn (not bantam but not very big) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stu Posted February 11, 2013 Author Share Posted February 11, 2013 Thanks... this gives me a good start, and we live in the middle of the country, so are not far from most places. There are breeders towards Galway and Roscommon who deal with bantam hens a short drive from us. We can get farther afield but will have to make a day of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
