Bantams for NY?

[gracemagdalen]

So I'm getting chickens for the first time with my family, and we're trying to decide on an appropriate breed. We want bantams, as we don't have an extraordinary amount of space (plus my mum thinks they're cuter). I'm just nervous about choosing the right breed that will be able to withstand the weather of New York- I live about 45 minutes outside of Manhattan- as it gets very cold during the winter and hot during the summer here. The chickens don't need to be particularly frequent layers, just need to be content with small areas, good with kids, and hardy in both heat and cold. If anyone has any suggestions, I'd really appreciate it!

 

[janinepeters]

I would suggest either bantam brahmas or bantam wyandottes. With chunky bodies, they endure cold weather very well, and their small, thick combs are not susceptible to frostbite. They will also tolerate New York summers well - many people much further south raise these breeds. Both breeds are also relatively mellow and should be just fine with kids.

Bantams generally don't lay quite as well as their large sized counterparts, but most of mine have done better than what the books say. I have bantam brahmas and each lays a couple of eggs per week (more when they're young, and less when they get old). Plus they are beautiful.

I've never had bantam wyandottes, but have had the large ones. They were great layers, and also mellow in temperament. And beautiful.

One problem with bantams, is that most hatcheries do not sex them, so if you order chicks, you'll get about half male and half female. The only place I know of which sells sexed bantam chicks is mypetchicken.com. They do have bantam brahmas but not bantam wyandottes.

Good luck!