Are you a bantam person or a standard person and why?

[EM Squared Farms 2]

I like bantams. They tend to be friendlier and come in many colors that are not in standard size. Of course the same is true about standard chickens though they have less colors that don't show up in bantams. Standard size chickens do lay big eggs and you can only get chocolate eggs from Marans and Welsummers which are both standard. If you are looking for eggs I say standard. Pets, Bantams.

 

[mrheinz77]

I am a LF person. When I'm not hatching and selling hatching eggs they are easier to sell for eating. With the price of feed going up, though, I'm thinking I should rethink my decision.

I guess I thought about it, they are still cheaper than my cattle.

 

[sjarvis00]

Quote:
You can keep bantams for eggs quite easily, Bantam Wyandotte, and bantam Cochin eat 1/4 of what thier LF counter part eat, take up much less space and lay a very nice size egg.
The Photo below demonstrates in order by size from left to right. Bantam Cochin, Bantam Wyandotte, Store bought AA Large egg.

Hope that helps.. just sold off all of out LF Wyandottes and cochins, starting over with some more Bantam Wyandotte in December. had some but wasn't real happy with thier size and type, so were upgrading.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I like bantams better since I have found the roosters nicer to deal with. Do your research and find a good laying bantam breed IMO. They poo less, eat less for the same weight in eggs, and are cuter to boot!

A ten inch high roo that is trying to intimidate me is much nicer than a 15 lb scary guy.
http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html
www.feathersite.com


Also you might consider the lighter weight breeds in the Mediterranean class, that are flighty but lay well. They tend to like to free range and not like confinement, though. Some will tolerate confinement. Examples are Campines, Fayoumis, Leghorns, Buttercups, etc. Also Hamburgs. Some like to go up in the trees though. Gotta research the one you want first, lol.

Some of those lighter weight hens might only weigh three and a half pounds, I have read.

 

[egglicious]

Quote:
You can keep bantams for eggs quite easily, Bantam Wyandotte, and bantam Cochin eat 1/4 of what thier LF counter part eat, take up much less space and lay a very nice size egg.
The Photo below demonstrates in order by size from left to right. Bantam Cochin, Bantam Wyandotte, Store bought AA Large egg.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/30249_eggs.jpg

Hope that helps.. just sold off all of out LF Wyandottes and cochins, starting over with some more Bantam Wyandotte in December. had some but wasn't real happy with thier size and type, so were upgrading.

This is exactly what I needed to see! I already have some cochin but I have been thinking about rehoming one of them along with my silkie as I wanted to replace them with better layers that were less broody. Are bantams wyandottes broody? They are beautiful little birds. Would love to have one (or two)...

 

[jtbrown]

We have just started this year. We got 8 bantams and ended up with 5 Pullets. I get 2-5 eggs daily 3 OEGB and 1 golden sebright and 1 d'uccle. We have a lot of 4 egg days. I was surprised. Also they are friendly.

We have other Pullets 5 production red and 2 light brahmas in with them. We are taking all but one cockeral out to freezer next week totAl of 3 bantams and 3 brahmas. Anyway, cannot beat production red for size of egg and numbers, but I LOVE the bantam eggs. We eat the bantam eggs and sel the others (also have 22 EE that are laying part of them anyway). they make adorable boiled eggs, hens are friendly. I will always plan on a few bantams in my group. Wish they were easier to buy sexed, but oh well. Good luck.

 

[dixieland]

When I got my first chickens I wanted nothing but Large Fowl, then enter Rosie the rescue Bantam Cochin.....She has so much personality and entertains us to great lengths! Now we have a pair of Silkies Harold & Fozzie, and they have the same joie de vivre that Rosie does. I love my Large fowl birds and would never part with them, but a couple of Bantams thrown into the mix sure make the yard fun!!!

 

[KandiandJerry]

Definately bantam......but also like standards.....

 

[egglicious]

I love the responses! I have come to a decision: I STILL HAVE NO IDEA!

 

[TigerLilly]

I have had both & prefer standard/LF because of the eggs--my BO, BR & BA all give me x lg to jumbo size eggs, compared to the bantam eggs that barely registered on the scale. I also will be raising my dual purpose breeds for meat as well, so bantam really doesnt work for me there either.