Bantam Care?

[Folly's place]

In general, Silkies take a bit more care, because they can't fly well (or at all?), can't see overhead, and need more protection from cold and heat.
There are so many interesting bantam breeds!
How about Belgian d'Uccles? Much hardier, several colors, good egglayers, and very cute!
Look on 'feathersite', and in some of the catalogs, like Cackle, for more ideas.
Mary

 

[Cyprus]

In general, Silkies take a bit more care, because they can't fly well (or at all?), can't see overhead, and need more protection from cold and heat.
There are so many interesting bantam breeds!
How about Belgian d'Uccles? Much hardier, several colors, good egglayers, and very cute!
Look on 'feathersite', and in some of the catalogs, like Cackle, for more ideas.
Mary

I raise D'Uccles.
I have found mine to not be disease resistant, and are poor layers. As in 4 eggs a year poor.

 

[sylviethecochin]

I raise D'Uccles.
I have found mine to not be disease resistant, and are poor layers. As in 4 eggs a year poor.

Where'd you source them? (I'm wondering if that's relevant since most people claim that they are very hardy little bantams.)

 

[Folly's place]

WOW! Mine lay many eggs for most of the year (although very few right now) and have been very healthy. My oldest have been nine or ten years old.
They aren't from private show lines though, rather from generations raised here. I don't show.
Mary

 

[Cyprus]

Where'd you source them? (I'm wondering if that's relevant since most people claim that they are very hardy little bantams.)

3 different people. 2 breeders from swaps and 1 very reputable breeder

 

[Allie Grace Sanders]

How about white tailed Japanese? Old English? Are they friendly?

 

[Cyprus]

How about white tailed Japanese? Old English? Are they friendly?

My mottled Japanese aee easy to care for and not too flighty

 

[Alexandra33]

Essentially, bantams aren't any needier than standards. Care doesn't differ significantly. As with large fowl, you'll encounter a few weak ones here and there, who require a little extra TLC.

d'Uccles and OEGBs are fantastic breeds to consider. For one seeking friendly hens, I'd recommend the former....and for one seeking a greater likelihood of well-behaved males, OEGBs take the cake. Great birds. Very healthy, too, and decent layers.

While Silkies are adorable, they're a little more work (if you plan on free-ranging) to maintain. Keeping crests trimmed, worrying about predation due to limited vision/lack of common sense, and (this hasn't been the case in my flock, but many others find it a concern) making sure they aren't picked excessively by other breeds.

I haven't liked my Japanese very much. Impossible to tame down. That said, they're unbelievably cute with short, squatty legs.

~Alex

 

[mamamage]

this is the water-er i use! i wonder if it would be good for bantams! i hope so because i plan to get some this spring!

https://www.premier1supplies.com/p/...5NiLPgv_08W2pMOSnJye0sIm1nCmxphQaAlqbEALw_wcB