line of "pet" bantams

[Wurmbag]

so I've been thinking about starting a line of batams, mixing a few breeds together and selecting for friendliness. my goal is to raise and sell chicks that are small friendly and perfect for people who want a pet rather then a producer. my flock currently is mostly cochins and silkies, with a couple d'uccle mixed in. I have a couple questions. is there a market for something like this and would I even sell chicks? and recommendations for breeds? any recommendations in general, I'm newish to chicken keeping and I'd love all the help I can get. finally is there any good recourses for chicken genetics? I come from a reptile breeding background so I have a decent idea on how genetics work but I'd love to learn specifically about chickens and how different colors/patterns interact.

 

[Fluffy Lambs]

so I've been thinking about starting a line of batams, mixing a few breeds together and selecting for friendliness. my goal is to raise and sell chicks that are small friendly and perfect for people who want a pet rather then a producer. my flock currently is mostly cochins and silkies, with a coupe d'uccle mixed in. I have a couple questions. is there a market for something like this and would I even see chicks? and recommendations for breeds? any recommendations in general, I'm newish to chicken keeping and I'd love all the help I can get. finally is there any good recourses for chicken genetics? I come from a reptile breeding background so I have a decent idea on how genetics work but I'd love to learn specifically about chickens and how different colors/patterns interact.

I mixed Japanese bantam and cochin bantams and their chicks are really friendly!

 

[Fluffy Lambs]

I mixed Japanese bantam and cochin bantams and their chicks are really friendly!

You could add silkie too.

 

[Wurmbag]

I mixed Japanese bantam and cochin bantams and their chicks are really friendly!

Japanese bantams are so pretty too! I hatched out a d'uccle cochin mix and her tail was super cool looking so I can only imagine how cool it would look with a Japanese!

 

[Fluffy Lambs]

Japanese bantams are so pretty too! I hatched out a d'uccle cochin mix and her tail was super cool looking so I can only imagine how cool it would look with a Japanese!

If you can find them, Nankin bantams are really freindly to. I didn't think about d'uccles! Those might be good to.

 

[Wurmbag]

up

If you can find them, Nankin bantams are really freindly to. I didn't think about d'uccles! Those might be good to.

ive never heard of Nankin bantams! I'll definitely look into those

 

[The Kooky Kiwi]

I've got Sebright / Pekin crosses and their babies are very friendly. If you sold them as fledglings and people handled them well - they can be so friendly as to actually become a nuisance! LOL.

I have several that "escape" the orchard then break and enter into the house to steal the cat food and explore the house. Little Vandals <3

My original sebrights were exceptionally tame but for the breed I'd say this will happen only if handled well as chicks.

Pekins are darlings no matter what. Even the older, non tamed ones can be sweet and friendly.

 

[HappyClucker7]

I think this could be a really cool idea! As the others have said, cochins are always great. Super friendly, and just absolutely adorable.
D'Uccles are great, and have really fun personalities. Silkies make really good pets too.
I've heard good things about Faverolle bantams as well.

I hatched out a d'uccle cochin mix and her tail was super cool looking so I can only imagine how cool it would look with a Japanese!

Would you mind sharing a pic of her? I have a cochin rooster and two D'Uccle hens, and I really want to hatch some of their eggs at some point. I would love to see what that mix would look like.

 

[The Moonshiner]

There's many bantam breeds that are know to be friendly.
Personally I'd pick one and stick to breeding pure focusing on friendliness if that's what your goal is.
I don't imagine you'll make a mix that's any friendlier then some breeds that already exist and mix breeds never sell as well as real breeds.

 

[topochico225]

d'Uccles are really sweet IME!