Bantams

[poultry bro]

Hi guys I have a question I am sure a lot of people have why do most hatcheries sell unsexed chicks it seems I cant get sexed females from most hatcheries.

 

[Pyxis]

It's because bantams are so tiny that they are really hard to sex, and because of their small size, it is more dangerous for them when they are sexed too. Mypetchicken sells them sexed, and they do have a 90% accuracy guarantee, but from what I've heard since it's so hard to do they really aren't 90% accurate with the bantams and they'll just refund you when you end up with roosters.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! My first chickens were bantams from a neighbor, and over twenty years later, I still have descendents of the first flock. Love them! You will probably have to order straight run and deal with the extra cockrels, unless a breeder turns up with chicks of your preferred breed. Mary

 

[poultry bro]

Thanks for the info guys I have 50 chickens and about 10 of them are bantams and of those bantams 3 of them are roosters they are 3 of my 8 roosters so I would like to add some more bantams or I will just stick to sexlinked birds which is probably better just to be 100% sure of their sex.

 

[rannug]

I bought 16 banties from M&M, and another six locally. There are about 14 still around. Three of them are hens, and one oversized bantam. She began as a bantam and grew into a full sized chicken. Lays great eggs too. One other bantie is laying occassionally. That's it. Out of six silkies, two are hens, and not laying. Three blue palm turkeys, one of which is a Tom, and three guineas, 2 M 1F. They all free range except for the silkies, which have a large fenced in area, so I guess they are limited free range.

I got all for primarily pets, with the hope of a few eggs. And a few eggs are all I get. I am somewhat disappointed there are so few hens, but that is what it is. Anyone want some roos? lol

They are feeding down by the creek now. Most of the time they are in the yard, but they do visit the woods. They put themselves in the coop every night, and the oversized hen is always the first one out in the a.m. They have feed in the coop, and get scratch every morning. I have a cement block with a 40 watt bulb, and so far it has kept the water from freezing. If it is really cold out I give them sunflower seeds here at the house.

I really enjoy all these birds and I am not too disappointed with all the roos, but does anyone want any?

 

[rainbowrooster]

Folks are always listing roosters on Craigslist.

 

[poultry bro]

Rainbowrooster is right but if you care your rooster may get a bad home it may be easier to just slaughter them and save them the chance of abuse or look for a good home I had 83 chickens this year and more than 30 where roosters and now most of them are in the freezer.