My large fowl Polish are some of the best layers on the farm--better than my Marans, and just as good as my Ameraucanas--when they are laying. Mine take long winter breaks and tend to have long molts. But I get nearly an egg a day during their "busy season."
My bantams are less reliable in the laying department. I've had good temperaments and bad, but mostly good (just a couple of moody roosters). I don't find them flighty, though yes, they will startle if you surprise them--but can you blame them, if they didn't see you coming?
The fact that they can't see you coming from behind/above makes them nice & easy to catch, which is a plus in my book. If you can't/don't free range, they are a good choice--they don't free range well, and do just fine in confinement. I know folks who do free range, but it is usually best to trim the crest feathers if you do this, to give them a clearer field of vision. I don't free range mine at all, I never have good luck with this. They end up scattered in every-which-direction all over the farm, lost and miserable, sitting ducks for hawks and other predators.
They don't always do well with other breeds, as they tend to get picked on. Those crests are often too tempting for other chickens. Their crests are also an easy place for lice & mite infestations to go unseen, and it takes some vigilance to make sure bugs don't become a problem.
Anyway, I personally recommend them if you plan to keep them confined and can separate them from other breeds if picking becomes a problem. I find that they do require a little more maintenance than some other breeds but, for me, the good outweighs the bad. They are seriously entertaining birds to have around!
You need some.
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