Cons: broody
! have (had) 5 bantams and several mixed. My pure breed girls are the sweetest, friendliest little things you'd ever want to meet. They come to my whistle and then give "submission" and want to be picked up. They are lovable, cuddly and a hoot to watch. They started laying at 5 months and haven't missed a beat EXCEPT when they want to go broody, and go broody they do! I've learned all kinds of tricks to keep them from brooding. Sometimes the tricks work, sometimes they don't. :) Their eggs aren't large, but that's ok with me. They lay so much, that I just use 2 when 1 large is called for.
I had one Roo who was so fun. When he wanted food for the girls, he would come up to me picking up grass or sticks and throwing them down and just talk to me, letting me know FOOD IS NEEDED NOW!
He was also VERY protective of the flock and that's why I lost him. A fox attacked the flock and while the other ROO was gathering the girls and making them HIDE, Big Red was holding off the fox. Although just a bantam, he did his duty. I ran out as soon as I could, but he was already so severely injured that I knew he wouldn't make it. We all cried like babies, and we still miss him even though it's been almost a year.
All in all, they are the sweetest, most loving little creatures a person could own. They do make great pets and kids love to cuddle them. Outside their frequent broodiness, I see no down side to these gentle little creatures!
My grandson wanted me to write their names...Sally, Georgia, Molly, Maxine, Norie Jean, Big Red...:)
