Info on Bantams

[mcdaid36]

Amazingly, we have an empty little coop and I'd like to fill it with Bantams this year. I've never had bantams before and I'm having a hard time finding a website with general bantam info. Specifically, are they cold hardy? We get down into the teens in the winter, and a few days every now and then are in the single digits. Our bigger chickens seem to do fine, but I'm worried about little ones. The empty coop is not insulated in any way either.

Also, since they are only sold straight run from hatcheries, I'm assuming it's the same deal with the roosters and fighting. If I order 10 chicks, and 5 turn out to be roosters, what does one do with all the extra roosters?

Final question: Can they be in the same brooder with "regular" sized chicks or will they get picked (pecked) on?

Thanks. If you know of a great website that would answer my questions, that would be great and save you some time of writing a reply!
Happy New Year to all!

 

[dixiechick]

Bantams are just as cold hardy as their LF counterparts. I have bought Blackrose Combs and Cochins from Rick Hare in NY with no problems. They can hold their own with standards. In fact, my uncle just returned 4 bantam roos to me because they would not let his standard RIR's eat!

 

[Year of the Rooster]

In my opinion, this is the BEST website to answer your questions.

So let's get started:

Bantams can be just as cold hardy as their larger cousins. Some are more hardy than others depending on the breed, but don't let those small bodies fool you. If you still don't feel safe, you can always add a heat lamp and that should be good enough.

I ordered straight run bantams (white silkies and golden sebrights) and got 3 roos and 3 hens of each with the exception of 4 roos for the silkies. They all get along great, but gang up on the hens sometimes. Roosters can get along great if they are raised together as day-olds. Otherwise, they may fight. You may see chest bumping and a few squabbles here and their, but if they are raised from young to adult then there shouldn't be as much of a problem than if you introduced them as adult birds. Also, depending on the breed, it may be harder or easier to get rid of them; also depends on their quality. So either sell them or eat them.

Yes, they can be in the same brooder with standard size chicks. Mine were in with four, a Barred Rock, a Rhode Island Red, an Easter Egger, and a Black Australorp. They all got along fine. You may want to wait and see what other people here have to say, as I am sure there are other opinions.

 

[mcdaid36]

Thank you for answering my questions. That was great info.

 

[moduckman]

Something to think about. Feather footed birds hand cold temperatures better than hot temperatures. Rose comb birds handle cold weather better than single comb birds because their combs do not freeze easily. All bantams will live in all areas, some just seem to thrive in certain areas better than others.