debbietabby Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Hello. I've had hybrids for years now, but we're plotting a move to scotland and will have more Spacehttp://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/posting.php?mode=post&f=5&sid=8167e28ab79abf19e745fa33f0e3256f# so I've been pondering an extension to the flock. In fact, I've been wondering about switching to bantams. Apart from needing smaller roosting bars, and their ability to fly - are there any other differences in looking after bantams? Any thoughts gratefully received. Debbie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coco Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Not much difference really, if you get something like oekuns with feathery feet they do need to be kept dry or they end up with huge mudballs stuck to their feet. I have big girls and bantams and too be honest prefer the bantams, my lot are totally bonkers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Bantams are possibly a bit more scatty and more inclined to use their wings (except Silkies and Frizzles). They tend to live quite a bit longer than hybrids do too so you can end up with quite a few more than you originally intended, if morehens strikes you. You could try a mix of various gentle breeds with banties, including some of the real biggies e.g. Orpingtons, Faverolles and Brahmas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 I'm a complete bantam convert They dont need smaller roosting bars, they will be just fine with whatever you provide They make less poop, they eat less and the eggs are proportionally more yolk. Whats not to like Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CheekyPekins Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 I've only ever kept bantams and mine have never flown off even though I don't clip their wings - apart from the one time when a dog got into the garden and chased Honey and she very sensibly flew onto my neighbour's roof. She hopped back down quite happily once she calmed down though... I've only ever had normal-sized roosting bars for mine, with no problems Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Another bantam fan here, have silkies, bantam orps, pekins and a barbu, they are all gentle friendly little things, not at all scatty or flighty, in fact seem to take most things in their stride plus the garden stays relatively intact. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 My bantams (new hampshires) haven't understood the "garden intact" part... But otherwise lovely girls. Biggest reason for me to start with bantams is the reduced amount of feed and the less space they need. (Very small garden) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosalie Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 I've got 4 young bantams and love them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acw295 Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 I have 3 pekins (started with 4 but sadly lost one early on to mystery illness). They are broody and that would be a real pain if you are very bothered about eggs. When I say broody I mean it - one of mine has been broody all summer and we can't break it. But she is hillarious with it and so we just get on with it as best we can But they are amazing, the eggs are fabulous and ours make no impact on the garden at all. Very easy to keep. We have a huge garden but the house is rented and is not a permanent home for us - I won't expand numbers untilI know how much space we have long term but I know that with a teeny garden the 3 we have would still be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 I have pekins and bantam Wyandottes. The Wyandottes haven't read the bit about not destroying the garden either! I love them though and their eggs are reasonable sized. We had hybrids when I was a child and to be honest I don't notice a lot of difference (except the pekins are mental!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsatroy Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 I just got 3 pekin bantams to go with my 7 hybrids. They are young and still cheeping around the place. Not laying yet and France(i)s I suspect never will as I think she is a he So far they seem like sweet little things and happily potter with my 7 bigger girls when left together in the evenings before bed. Once they are all fully integrated I feel a bout of Morehens coming on again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 Oh dear, Morehens That's the trouble with bantams . . . they are small enough to seem as if there are fewer of them and suddenly, don't know how it happens, the flock has doubled in size Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
