Bantam vs Standard?

[whitejerabias]

Pros and cons? In fact, whats the difference? I think I've gleaned that bantams are smaller, but that's all I've got. How about temperament? I will be caring for these gals with a one and four year old so they best be sweethearts.

 

[aoxa]

Temperament depends on the breed of bantam. I had a d'uccle that was very sweet. My silkies are easy to catch.

Pros:
Easy to handle
Children love them
Can fit more into a smaller space
Eat less food

Cons:
Some can be quite flighty and lift off the ground easier because they are light weight

ETA: The bantam is just a small chicken. Nothing different overall about them other than size.

I don't know. I have had two chickens die and they were both bantams and they did not do well with cold weather.

 

[chicmom]

I have bantams and large fowl. I've really fallen in love with the bantams because of these reasons:

They're super cute!
They take up less space than a large fowl
They still lay eggs, just use more of them when you cook
For little children, they're not so intimidating!
Did I mention they're super cute?

I think I'm biased.....I never thought I'd like the bantams until I got a few.....I have a silkie, two frizzle cochins, and two Polish. A few days ago, I just hatched out twelve more bantam babies and they are so friendly and adoreable! (3 more polish and 9 cochins...)

SO I VOTE BANTAM!

Large fowl are wonderful too. You get bigger eggs, you don't have to worry as much about predators, once they reach their adult size....Where the bantams are always more vulnerable.

So that's my personal opinion, but I know you will enjoy either! Just raise them from little chicks so the kids will enjoy them and get to know them.

 

[teach1rusl]

I would suggest looking at the breed chart along the top. As aoxa said, most bantams are like their larger sized counterparts, only miniaturized. There are only a few breeds of bantams that ONLY come as bantams.
Silkies and cochins come to mind if you're wanting a breed that are known to be especially docile. Cochins come in LF or bantam sizes.
BOs are usually quite tame/calm.
LF are going to give you bigger eggs of course.
Bantams (calm, friendly ones) are easier to handle, since they're so small, but will still give you eggs (may take 2-3 eggs to = a LF egg though).
Even with cold hardy breeds, I would think that LF would be able to handle severe temps better than bantams simply because they have more body mass....kind of like a little skinny person usually gets cold a lot easier than a heavy set person.

 

[chickengrandma]

Knowing the age of your children, I highly, highly recommend bantams. Regular size chickens are "huge" and quite strong --- making them very difficult to catch and hold.

We have a flock of bantams, so I am obviously biased, but my sister also got full size chickens at the same time we started. I would have been horribly disappointed if we had gotten full size chickens. The interaction and experience with bantams and kids has been just perfect. We hold them constantly! And, when they flap and struggle they are manageable.

I wouldn't recommend bantams if you are looking for egg producers. I'm sure there are bantams that are good producers, but my variety-pack of girls aren't . They do do their best, but we still need to supplement with purchased eggs.

As example, Silkies prefer to sit and be broody instead of producing eggs. (freeloaders!

 

[muddyhorse]

the best advice is to go to a show in your area and see birds in person before you select a breed. even if you are not planning to show most show people have some pet quality birds for sale ones that are not going to make it as a show bird. for example I have seramas they must be under a certain weight to show 19.2 oz is the top end for roosters. I give my big boys and girls to people who want them for pets. silkies and cochin bantams are great with kids. seramas do very well also. banty cochins lay a decent sized egg, it takes a lot of serama eggs to make an omelet.

 

[aoxa]

All the kids around my neighbourhood actually prefer my barred rocks and my production red. They are easier to pick up. Only one of my bantams is easy to catch

If I were you, I'd get a bit of both for some variety

ETA IMAGE:

They might hold them awkwardly, but it works

(Little boy is 4 years old)

 

[KKeiC07]

Quote:
that is so cute!

 

[Ole rooster]

I've never been a fan of using an animal as a toy. I seen to many 4 and 5 year olds break dogs legs. Not on purpose but from lack of knowing how to hold a puppy and even understanding. If I had childern around here they would not pick up my chickens for sure. To many bad experences. The " I didn't mean too", or "I'm sorry" don't do much when the animals hurt.

Then that's just me.

 

[corgiscatsandchickens]

Quote:
No it's not just you, Ole Rooster. It's me, too. Some children are great with animals. I was one of them--grew up with dogs and cats and cattle, and when I was six, I had my first bantams. Some children are just too rough. You have to take a really, really honest approach to this. Are your kids the rough or gentle types? Handling creatures roughly doesn't mean they're bad kids, just that they'll be longer learning how to be gentle. Don't get anything until the children that will be around the birds are sure to be gentle. If you rush things, you're setting everyone--including the kids-- up for heartache.

My suspicion, and it's just a suspicion, is that your kids are a little young yet.