Debating - standards or bantams .. any help ?

I'm not exactly sure what you're afraid of. The hens going broody? You don't have to let them hatch. If you collect eggs daily, it won't be a problem. True, some broodies are harder do discourage than others, but it can be done. If you make the leap and then regret it, you work your way back to standards. It doesn't have to be a permanent situation. What are your goals for your flock? Are you planning on selling eggs? Bantam eggs may be hard to sell. Do you have the room and the means to keep a few of each until you decide which ones you prefer?

 

I have thirty something bantys and nineteen large fowl. If I were to just keep one flock, it would be the Bantams. We sell all of the big eggs, we use banty eggs for our home and personal use. They are just fine and we could easily get buy with only the little ones. I have them go broody… fine go broody but as noted above, you don't have to let them keep the eggs, just reach under and take them each day, that is what we do. I believe them to have nice personalities, but then so do LF. If it is just for your use, bantams will work out ok.

Best to you and your birds,

RJ



At brunch this a.m.

 

What breeds are your bantams? Some breeds tend to want to sit more than others, even in bantams.
I have had just a flock of bantams. When we moved from Va to Tn, I brought 4 Silkies and a Sizzle with me and rebuilt my flock from them. Even though Silkies are notoriously broody, they managed to keep us in eggs and I've always been happy with them (which was why I brought them 500+ miles with me on the move). I have standards again, and I like to jeep them more for a steady supply of meat more than anything else. Since yours are for your own eggs and enjoyment, I don't think that's going to be an issue for you.

Good luck

 

I've really been tempted to switch to an all-bantam flock, but I have two concerns that may or may not be relevant to your situation: 1) my bantams have been more vulnerable to hawk attacks than my large fowl, and 2) my bantams easily clear the fenced chicken yard, which nicely contains my large fowl, which makes management more difficult.

 

I love my bantams! We do have netting over their run which fixes the hawk and them flying over the fence problem.

I have Easter Eggers, Buff Orpingtons, Silkies, and one Dominique. My Silkies do go broody. I'm letting them sit on eggs for the first time now. Just had the first one hatch today.

We have really come to love the smaller egg size - it's almost a better size for breakfast sandwiches. If baking, I just use my scale to determine how many eggs too use.