Bantam chickens.. a friendly discussion about all pure and mixed breeds.

[Arbutus Peregrine]

Here's my new rooster, HeiHei. He's a sebright and I love him!

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Handsome guy! I love my three Sebright girls! They absolutely do not want to be held...but they LOVE perching on me constantly. Here are Adalind, Celia and Janet. Not the best pic...but all in it together! They are 23-1/2 weeks.

 

[Arbutus Peregrine]

This is the youngest silkie... only one not laying. Though maybe that’s what she’s doing today.

She’s so fluffy!!
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Where does she shop? I am not a fashion person...but LOVE THAT OUTFIT!!!

 

[Arbutus Peregrine]

Hello, everyone! It's been a while, huh? Hope all your sweet little bantams are doing well.

I took a break from BYC due to sad situations.....I've lost many members of my flock recently (combination of old age and predation). It's been settled that we won't be getting any more birds until time and money allow for an enclosed, secure run.

~Alex

I'm so sorry to hear about that. You could do a "Gofundme!" Sometimes nature doesn't cooperate...even with the best set-up. Life gives us daily reminders of impermanence. Enjoy today! I know for certain that your birds were loved SO MUCH! That was very obvious. Many animals with luxurious homes go without love. Sorry again and I hope when the time is right for you...that you can bring some new feathered friends home!

 

[Arbutus Peregrine]

I definitely understand...Chickens are supposed to be fun!?
Well here's a rule. Don't get attached to anyone and disease or predation happens..
Having fun yet?

#farmlife
But I say... DO GET ATTACHED! Keep your heart open and allow it to be broken. It will grow stronger and each time the love will be deeper.

 

[Arbutus Peregrine]

Exactly. It's ALWAYS the favorites who either get killed, or die of illness. Never fails!
Quite honestly, I'm having the time of my life!

But, on a brighter note, I've taken up caged birds.....a somewhat less stressful hobby.

~Alex

what kind of caged birds? I'm a die-hard fan of the basic budgie!

 

[Arbutus Peregrine]

Hopefully that's a better hobby......
I got Goats..

oh goodness I love goats. What kind? I've had nubian, alpine and boer. But I LOVE THEM ALL!!!!

 

[Arbutus Peregrine]

I have two kids. A Fainting goat Doe and a Fainting/Nigerian dwarf fixed buck. So darn adorable and fun too! Leash trained so we go on walks around daily.. Fancy and Ozzy..View attachment 1985144

What a fantastic photo! They are soooooo cute! Very huggable and kissable!

 

[Arbutus Peregrine]

I wanted to share one of my favorite new chicken things... I saw how this one place composts with chickens and was hooked! I had to try it! I am doing a much smaller scale of what they do...but it's so cool! I thought I'd share in case some of you hadn't seen it. It looks especially helpful if you have a lot of snow. They have videos on composting systems with chickens and sprouting. What I've been doing is rotating my chicken run in thirds-- every day I turn one third of it with a pitchfork. I bury soaked seeds in one third of the run each day, also. That way when I dig one third of the run up each day---there are sprouted seeds for the chickens! My birds are really loving this system. I'm also hoping it will help break down and encourage worms in their run. My run is just about one foot of wood chips (free from www.chipdrop.com) on top of dirt. Turning it each day helps distribute their poop and unearth the worms! Also, I think the wood chips are a little hard on the bantams for scratching... so when I uncover a big area so they have access to the dirt...they are quite pleased. Just thought I'd share some of these videos. I also saw Joe Salatin (famous pasture farmer) do a similar sprouting method in his winter chicken houses.

 

[Arbutus Peregrine]

Okay, now I've had 4 days in a row getting an egg!! That seems like way too many for my little Rosecomb. Now I'm thinking it IS two different pullets!!! Three of my girls have gotten really red large combs recently... Oh I wish I had a camera!!! Can't afford that for a few months. But it will be fun to watch what is going on!!!

 

[Arbutus Peregrine]

Thanks to these chickens, I'm reteaching myself about making videos! I just caught one of my egg layers in action! This is my first try at putting a video on here!