Bantam Owners Out There - Give Me Your Opinion, Please...

[TJ]

Hello, I have a standard flock right now and am thinking about selling them all and getting Bantams. I would like to hear from other Bantam owners about why they raise/own Bantams vs. Standard size chickens. Why do you like owning Bantams? What prompted you to choose raising Bantams in the first place? What ever you would like to say about Bantams - I would like to hear it!

Thank you!

Have a great day too!

 

[jojo@rolling acres farm]

I like both Standard and Bantam sized chickens. Right now, only have 5 Silkies and three Cochins. My Cochin hen is sitting on 13 eggs. I think that maybe what I like best about them is that they are great moms - I guess that could also turn into a disadvantage is you don't like broody chickens. Bantams seem to eat less and make less of a mess. But it takes about 2 or 3 of my Bantam eggs to equal one of my Standard eggs - so I guess all things do equal out in the long run. Good luck with your decision!

 

[WestKnollAmy]

I go for standards most of the time but totally and absolutely adore all my bantam Cochins. Their personality, clean appearance and interactions with each other and other birds is awesome. However, we can't eat them, too small. The eggs have to be sold in a pack of 18 instead of 12 and they are so small I am afraid a hawk might try to carry one off.

However, I can own more of them than standards....and do! Silkies not so much. They do eat less but not when you have ...a lot.

 

[herechickchick]

I adore my Bantams. I love LF chickens but the bantams have the cutest personalities. They also consume less feed and take up less space, so that is a positive.

 

[TK Poultry]

I really dont like large fowl chickens. I can have twice as many bantams. I think they are also a bit more kid friendly and I have to have that at my house. The bantam roosters dont seem as intemidating as a LF rooster does. Like in my ameraucanas for some reason i dont like how the LF look they look like giant hawks I really dont care for it. The same goes for the cochins. I also dont feed them as much as I would LF chickens which also saves me some $. These are all reasons I keep bantam chickens and only have 1 LF EE hen. This is all on the side that I really dont like LF chickens. The down fall is that there are more bantams at shows usually and you really cant eat their eggs I mean you can but 2 bantam eggs=1 LF egg.

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

Hi! Are you stuck on either / or?
I raise Jersey Giants and other large birds as well as teensy Serama and Modern Game bantams.
They all have their own niche in the grand scheme.

Lisa

 

[hcammack]

I made the switch from 100% standard to 100% bantams. I am happy with my decision they take up less space and eat less feed. I am in love with Faverolles and I honestly don't think I will keep and breed many other chickens in my life except for maybe some layers and meaties. I will defently have LF faverolles in the future but with limited time and space I have all bantams and I love them. They are much easier to handle and I will be leaving my mother with a flock of bantam faverolles when I go to college because they are easy for her to deal with and simple maintain.

Henry

 

[Farmington]

My mille fleur d'uccles were more of an impulse buy, but I really enjoy them. Their small size, and cute personalities have really won me over. I am getting more large fowl varieties as well, but I plan on keeping bantams as a permanent part of my flock just for something pretty to look at, and not intimidating to my kids.

 

[lisa new chickens]

i agree with everyone above. I just started raising chicks and have 4 Bantams. My 2 cochins are 7 weeks old and 1 is a rooster. He crows quietly and gets along with everyone. they are friendly and clean. I also have to Seabrights that are 23 weeks old that I am about to introduce to the others tomorrow. i have a dumb question. Seabrights ARE Bantams....right?

 

[lisa new chickens]

oops, I meant my seabrights are 3 weeks old..