Bantam vs Standard chicken

[sassysarah]

Standard hens are probably most common to see in a backyard flock but I've seen quite a few Bantam lovers out there! Which do you guys prefer and why?

Please take the poll!

 

[Cyprus]

Bantams! Always!
More chickens, same space.

And really I love them 'cause they are so little and usually sweet
And easier to restrain

 

[BantyChooks]

Standard, because of their laying abilities and increased carcass weight. Bantams are best for feed consumption and personality. They aren't as hardy, though, just because of their size. There's only so much vigour that can take the place of the body mass needed to survive the hard winters up here.

 

[BantyChooks]

And easier to restrain

Too right. After banding seven full size ducks and a flock of full size hens (plus a few bantams,) I nearly swore off the large birds for life. I had enough poop on me to start a garden.

 

[sassysarah]

Too right. After banding seven full size ducks and a flock of full size hens (plus a few bantams,) I nearly swore off the large birds for life. I had enough poop on me to start a garden.

Lol!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Bantams are easier to house, and are more gentle. Plus there's nothing more adorable than a band of tiny chickens running around the yard. I keep both currently in separate flocks. If I had to choose it would be bantams every time.

 

[sassysarah]

Bantams are easier to house, and are more gentle. Plus there's nothing more adorable than a band of tiny chickens running around the yard. I keep both currently in separate flocks. If I had to choose it would be bantams every time.

Wow. What about eggs tho?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Wow. What about eggs tho?

They are adorable. Mine lay fairly well. They go broody a lot in the warmer months. I often put them to work hatching for me. They are good at hatching turkey eggs for me. One under each wing.

I have mostly kept d'uccle and cochins so those are my main experiences, some other breeds may be more productive, but I can't say for sure.

This past year I added bantam EE, and am still anxiously waiting on eggs out of them. I definitely couldn't support myself on bantam eggs but I get enough for my personal use. Mine even lay later in their lives on average than my standards.

 

[sassysarah]

They are adorable. Mine lay fairly well. They go broody a lot in the warmer months. I often put them to work hatching for me. They are good at hatching turkey eggs for me. One under each wing.

I have mostly kept d'uccle and cochins so those are my main experiences, some other breeds may be more productive, but I can't say for sure.

This past year I added bantam EE, and am still anxiously waiting on eggs out of them. I definitely couldn't support myself on bantam eggs but I get enough for my personal use. Mine even lay later in their lives on average than my standards.

oh wow! I didn't know Bantams went broody!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

oh wow! I didn't know Bantams went broody!

I usually wait until all are broody, than break them as a group by blocking the nestboxes. They are always so spitting mad when I do that. It's so adorable, everything a bantam does is adorable to me.