Having INCREDIBLY hard time finding bantams. Tips?

[BackyardBantams]

So I've been looking for some egg laying bantams (currently have two, RIR and Barred Rock. They lay on alternating days so I get an egg every day.) for almost 3 months. All I've been able to find are silkies, silkies, and more silkies. And when I ask people who raise chickens in general, I always get the, "You're stupid if you think you're going to get eggs from bantams. They only lay about 50 eggs a year." I've had my two girls for about 4 months and have gotten more than 50 eggs from the RIR already.... I live in Raleigh, North Carolina. If anyone knows anything about any bantam breeders or chicken farms that may have bantams or ANYTHING, I would really appreciate a heads up. Cause this search is getting FRUSTRATING.

You can either just reply here or send me an email.

[email protected]

Oh btw, the Barred Rock just started laying last week. I was so excited!

 

[shellybean40]

I have bantam cochins and they lay about 4-5 eggs a week.

They are a good size, too!

 

[shelleyd2008]

Bantams do lay eggs pretty regularly, though almost all of mine quit for the winter. One reason why someone might think that they don't lay much is because they tend to go broody more often than their LF counterparts. A broody hen doesn't lay eggs

 

[jeslewmazer]

I got my bantams from Ideal Poultry, but I have seen some BYCers put some bantam hatching eggs in auctions. Also have seen hatching eggs through eBay. I Guess it would depend on the time of year and where you live. My bantams are OEGB and they tend to me seasonal layer. Some breeds are more towards production, but I think most are breed for exhibition and hobby.

 

[HappyChickenLover]

Get welsummer bantams they lay like sex links

 

[BackyardBantams]

I've seen a couple of things around for cochins. Do they lay through the winter?

 

[shelleyd2008]

Mine don't, not much anyway. I don't think I have any bantams who do.
You could always get some LF OEG hens, they lay (and brood, and hatch, and...) all year round, they aren't humongous hens either, so won't eat you out of your life savings!

 

[luckypickens]

Quote:
My cochin bantams lay great all winter, but I keep lights on them just like I do my big layers. I love them!

 

[shelleyd2008]

Quote:
My cochin bantams lay great all winter, but I keep lights on them just like I do my big layers. I love them!

I don't keep lights on anything, but my OEG still lay like crazy birds all winter long. I've had several hatch chicks in the middle of January, they don't really care about the 'seasons'

 

[6chickens in St. Charles]

Am I lucky? These girls





Lay these eggs:


they are tiny little bantam Rosecomb/Silkie crosses. From 6 laying hens I have 3 to 6 eggs per day. I am lucky. Here's a new one on my shoulder, so you can see their size


But the eggs are pretty much average eggs, its a little shocking to think those teensy little chickens produce regular eggs, but they do. Just, not HUGE eggs. Average to medium eggs.

I really hope you can find what you're looking for. I wonder if mine lay a lot because they're crosses? Not purebreds?