Need Help Finding a Breed of Bantam

[TheWolfRebel]

Hi everyone! I’m new to Backyard but I am happy and feel so welcomed to be in this loving community of good natured chicken raisers and hobbyists. I have one lonely bantam chicken named Raven (others got taken by predators)- she was hatched sort of by accident so I don’t actually know what type she is but she’s been pretty traumatic since our last chicken got snatched by a raccoon. I was hoping to find a type of bantam I could get that is homey and will stay near home to keep her company and to be an influence (my yard is about 2 acres) but also help manage the tick and bug population around our house. I live in Maine and would be most interested if I could get a pullet of a specific type of bantam. Thank you all. In addition- is it bad or unhealthy to have just one chicken?

 

[sylviethecochin]

Welcome to BYC!
Silkies and cochins both are pretty homey, and so are d'uccles, according to what I've heard here, though I personally have never owned one of the last. However, my OEGBs are the best at avoiding predators.

Can you post a picture of your bantam?

 

[Pugsabi]

Welcome to the group.
Chickens are flock birds. They don't usually do well by themselves. A flock of three is usually the smallest flock recommended for the mental health. Sorry to hear about your other birds. Maybe try posting in the thread for your state for help finding more chicks.

 

[3riverschick]

What breed of bantam are you seeking?
Best,
Karen

 

[TheWolfRebel]

What breed of bantam are you seeking?
Best,
Karen

Hi Karen, I am (as stated above) just looking for a homey breed of bantam that could influence my skittish one to relax a bit and feel more secure. I'd prefer buying the hen/s at the pullet stage. I also prefer non feathered legs since that is what my hen is (I'll put a photo up soon). Thank you

 

[TheWolfRebel]

Welcome to BYC!
Silkies and cochins both are pretty homey, and so are d'uccles, according to what I've heard here, though I personally have never owned one of the last. However, my OEGBs are the best at avoiding predators.

Can you post a picture of your bantam?

Hey sylvie! So I'll let you in on a bit of her bloodline and add a picture. Her grandmom was a brown frizzle and he granddad was a rosecomb. They had a clutch of 12 but we gave away 10 since we didn't have room. We kept 2 which turned out to be a gray hen and a beautiful rooster (who was originally black, he was the runt) that looked a lot like a dutch (he was the sweetest thing and most beautiful I had seen). I believe these two bred (incest, I know but it was out of my control lol). And they had 5 chicks. Only one made it (my current chicken) 1 passed from unknown causes and the rest passed from something sneaking into our coup when they were young adults- it was the toughest year we had for our birds.

 

[TheWolfRebel]

Hey sylvie! So I'll let you in on a bit of her bloodline and add a picture. Her grandmom was a brown frizzle and he granddad was a rosecomb. They had a clutch of 12 but we gave away 10 since we didn't have room. We kept 2 which turned out to be a gray hen and a beautiful rooster (who was originally black, he was the runt) that looked a lot like a dutch (he was the sweetest thing and most beautiful I had seen). I believe these two bred (incest, I know but it was out of my control lol). And they had 5 chicks. Only one made it (my current chicken) 1 passed from unknown causes and the rest passed from something sneaking into our coup when they were young adults- it was the toughest year we had for our birds.

Here she is! She looks a bit like her Mom so you can get a general idea.

 

[Alexandra33]

In my experience, d'Uccles and Old English Game bantams are a couple of the more docile, calm breeds. Also heard wonderful things about Brahmas.

~Alex

 

[adrikeen]

Wolf!
I agree with Sylviethecochin's post. I have all bantams and those are the breeds I have. The Silkies like to wander a bit in the yard but do come back. However, if your yard is open to predators, I would be very cautious about letting Silkies loose. I just had my roo taken by a fox. It was traumatic and heartbreaking. They aren't quick enough to out maneuver predators. My cochins, brahmas and D'Uccles do not wander but the cochin and brahmas are also a bit on the slow side. I also have bantam EE's and Seebrights...those are very flighty and will wander but I've seen them escape hawks by diving quickly into my garden beds. When broody, they don't like to leave the coop area.
Hopefully that helps you a little bit in choosing a companion breed.