Best bantam breed choice for Children?

[mvktr2]

As to why I don't want Silkies? First I find them ugly, sorry to offend 'silkie lovers' but too me they are. Don't worry I feel the same way about small fuzzy dogs... big fuzzy dogs and even fuzzy cats. Astetically I prefer something with clean lines, think Boxer/Doberman/Great Dane or Welsummer/Minorca of the chicken world! Secondly and I suppose more importantly I take issue with the breed having been bred 'too extreme' so as to make it an aboration with many flaws bred into it. Sort of like English Bulldogs of the dog world. Amazingly sound dogs in temperment, but the breed probably wouldn't survive without artificial ensimination, see my point. Same goes for the weaknesses bred into silkies but to less of a degree. There was a really good 'ethics pondering' thread up yesterday in regard to just this issue.

Hmmmmm hadn't considered OE Game bantams. Suppose my thinking was more influenced by grandfather's keeping of a 3-4 game roosters while I was growing up. They're not particularly aggressive toward humans, atleast not moreso than some other roosters. I just always thought of them as 'tough' birds. I love the appearance, they're a beautiful breed. Perhaps an option.

As for Orpingtons, that might be an option, but not so sure. Just not as attractive a breed for some reason.

Some of the reasoning for choosing the breeds I listed is finance related. I see those as easier birds to market and help offset the cost of feed by selling eggs and/or chicks. Not a big concern, but enough so that I plan to keep 1 cock w/ 4 hens.

I wouldn't be real serious about showing, just something for the kids to do locally, perhaps at state fair.

Thanks & keep it coming,
Phillip

 

[MiddleMan]

I have some Serama's still young, only about 4 months old right now. I can tell you they are very very friendly birds, even the little roos. All of them if I open the brooder will fly up to me to perch on whatever they can reach. They seem to aim to land on the top of my head but usually I can get them to land on my arm. They love to be cuddled on my lap. and if I have a towel (good for poo caching) they will go to sleep on my lap for as long as I let them stay. So for temprament I think these are a good breed, as long as you handle and socialize them regularly. When mine were hatched I would pick them up and hold them several times a day as well as hand feed them special treats. I have found though if you start with little babies and hand rasie them you end up with friendly birds. We have a black rock that loves to sit on your lap out in the yard and get pets.

 

[Harrietsmum]

Check out this site

http://happyhenhouse.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=chickdisc&action=display&thread=8405

and

http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html

They both have good information on poultry.

My Australorps (bred from Orpingtons), and Wyandottes are lovely friendly bantams.