Opinion: Japanese Bantams

[DaviJones]

I came across some pictures of Japanese bantams and thought they were interesting(especially the tail). I have gotten advice to avoid bantams, but have seen plenty of people who own and love them. So, I figured I'd ask the good people of BYC their opinions on Japanese bantams(or just bantams in general). Fire away!

 

[sylviethecochin]

Bantams are great! My OEG bantams are cocky and hardy. My cochins are friendly and sweet. Bantams tend to make better mothers and worse egg-layers than the standard-sizes, but hey! They eat less too!

Japanese bantams have a great rep, though I own none myself. I am a little put off by the short shanks, I'll admit.

 

[JeanR]

If you have a family and need EGGS, bantams, while great layers in several sessions a year, will not be suitable at all. Most all bantam breeds are too small and little meat, to ever use for food (WILL NOT EAT MY BANTAMS)! When I had family at home, had nice small flocks of large fowl. Raised fryers for the freezer (had community folks who butchered for a small fee--no longer). I do not butcher. I did not make pets of my fryers growing up-they were raised separately and just well cared for, but no special attention. My layers were breeds that laid well for 2 or 3 years. They became stewing hens and when butchered, I put them in the bottom of my chest freezer and no longer "knew" them when later enjoyed as meat birds. In later years, I studied my bantam breed, (still studying) had best breeding birds for Show and sold them all over the country, a great activity, kept pedigree records on every chick hatched, so could sell trios that could produce well for new owners. Will have a book about them underway this winter, for those who want that breed. Even after chickens most all my life (last 30 years with one breed, several varieties)-- "all old ladies should keep a few laying hens"!!!

Had Black tailed White Japs for a while, nice, but do not care for the shape of the birds as well as others, Seramas are another, that I do not admire their looks.

 

[BantammChick]

Bantams are awesome!They are sweet and little.They are so cute.I have 2 japanese bantam roosters,they are so great!

 

[Clucklandia]

Hi! I say I like Bantams for there sweetness and size. I agree, for eggs they would be at the bottom of the list. I have a pair of SUPER small Japanese Bantams that are for breeding. They are often broody, not winter hardy, small and sweet, smart, but they also FLY. Like FLY, FLY like a bird!!!! So I LOVE them for certain reasons.

Here's my Roo, Hiaku: