donnaroo26 Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Hi, We've had hybrids for several years and have now decided to branch out (dreaded morehens strikes).... I was going for Bantams this time. I decided against Pekins due the the feathery feet - half the run (palace) is somewhat muddy. We liked Wyandottes but having done a bit of research they may not be the best layers. So I'm really after a bit of advice please. They will be separated from the 2 hybrids I've got left until i'm sure they will not be bullied. I'm looking for bantams that will lay some eggs (obviously less than I got from hybrids but thats fine), relatively easy to look after ie. no grooming of feet feathers etc. Any ideas? I'm just getting myself confused the more I look... I've got hubby to agree that 3 or 4 would be an ideal number... thanks in advance, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 If it's eggs you want Donnaroo, pedigree breeds are not the best choice as none will perform as well as hybrids. Our large fowl Wyandottes lay acceptably well but there will always be variations from one breeders strain to another. Mixing hybrids and pedigrees carries a slight risk the way you intend doing it and a high risk the other way round, that is hybrids added to pedigrees. The hybrids have been immunised and are carrying viruses that could be transmitted with potentially fatal results. I personally would keep both flocks well separated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Hi Donnaroo In have 2 two year old, silver laced Wyandotte bantams - Penny and Amy. I've had them since June last year and as far as their health is concerned I've had no problems with them at all. Penny lays 2 eggs every three days and Amy lays every other day. Penny went broody at the end of last summer but 3 days in the broody cage got her out of it and she was back laying again in a couple of weeks. I think they stopped at the beginning of November and started again on the 31st January. They're beautiful girls and seem very hardy. Mine aren't overly friendly but that's probably because they were already 18 months old when I got them. Also they bully my Pekins but that wouldn't be a problem for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miller30 Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Hi I keep various colour wyandotte bantams and I have a breeding group and I think they lay big eggs for a bantam can be a bit fiesty so are normally ok with hybrids just depends on the birds really leanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 I have bantam orpingtons so no feathers on feet, they are larger than my peking but seem to be laying very well and they come in lots of different colours. I have a silver laced, a chocolate laced and a chocolate and white, they are also very friendly, in fact Pepper the silver laced is a bit of a nuisance when I am cleaning as she likes to follow me around and jump on me all the time. I hatched them so maybe that is why they are so friendly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleLau Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 I have only had my Wyanadotte bantams 4 weeks, so not sure how helpful I can be. I know they are not known to be great layers, but so far, mine have been great, laying much more than I expected. I get around 12 eggs a week from my 3, so around 4 eggs a week each. They are also not too bad a size, between 43g and 51g. Getting friendlier by the day too, I'm pretty happy with my choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 I've got New Hampshire bantams. Very easy, hardy birds and pretty good layers. I'm getting about an egg every other day of each chicken, but it's still early in the season. They are very easy going and not scared at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
