- Sep 8, 2010
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Hi all. I seem to check in here about once every few months with a question, and I am SOOO grateful to you generous experts for always having an answer (or 20) for me!
I built a little coop a few years ago (https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/timms-member-page) and I've had success with three hens in it for several years. They are a cross between Rhode Island Red and Leghorns, excellent layers (far more eggs than we could eat) when younger, and well behaved. No problems of any sort.
But now they are ready to retire to that great grassland in the sky, and make room for newbies.
Here's the issue. I am really curious about Bantams. They are so cute, and I figure I could fit a few more than three in this little coop. I'd get less total egg mass from them, but a little less is fine. However, a friend who knows a little bit about chickens strongly discouraged me. She said that Bantams have vile temperment, fight amongst themselves in a small enclosure, and are very poor layers. I hope to soon order some chicks by mail and try my hand at brooding them (I bought pullets before).
So here's the question. Am I crazy to depart from the simple success I had before? Is brooding Bantams tricky? Will they fight in a 3' by 4' coop (plus 3' by 8' outside run)? How many could I safely fit in there? Will egg production really drop off from what I'm used to? (Some dropoff is fine.)
Thanks for any advice!
TimM
I built a little coop a few years ago (https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/timms-member-page) and I've had success with three hens in it for several years. They are a cross between Rhode Island Red and Leghorns, excellent layers (far more eggs than we could eat) when younger, and well behaved. No problems of any sort.
But now they are ready to retire to that great grassland in the sky, and make room for newbies.
Here's the issue. I am really curious about Bantams. They are so cute, and I figure I could fit a few more than three in this little coop. I'd get less total egg mass from them, but a little less is fine. However, a friend who knows a little bit about chickens strongly discouraged me. She said that Bantams have vile temperment, fight amongst themselves in a small enclosure, and are very poor layers. I hope to soon order some chicks by mail and try my hand at brooding them (I bought pullets before).
So here's the question. Am I crazy to depart from the simple success I had before? Is brooding Bantams tricky? Will they fight in a 3' by 4' coop (plus 3' by 8' outside run)? How many could I safely fit in there? Will egg production really drop off from what I'm used to? (Some dropoff is fine.)
Thanks for any advice!
TimM