selecting a bantam breed

[AprilWC]

A snake has been slowly taking our chicks (we finally found out that's why chicks were disappearing when I went out to the barn earlier than usual) so now we're down to 3. I'm wanting to purchase some new chicks and was looking for suggestions on what to choose. We've decided on bantams, we love their smaller size and temperaments. What I'm looking for is a bantam that's generally a good layer (3-4 eggs/wk) and, if it isn't asking too much, could potentially be a decent meat breed. I know that's a tall order for a bantam but any suggestions on breed?

 

[ScaredOfShadows]

bantams are not meant to be a meat bird, bantams are typically only 2 lbs full grown, and take 6-8 months to lay and reach close to their full size. The time and money you'd be putting into them honestly isn't worth the meat you'd get out of them.

dressed out you'd probably be left with less than a pound of meat.

Good bantam breeds for personality and eggs:

Bantam Leghorns
Bantam Barred Rocks
Bantam RIR
D'uccles
Old English Game bantams

 

[HBuehler]

Bantam Cochins of coarse

they lay well at least 3 eggs a week when they are not broody...a plus if you want to hatch some chicks.They run to you and stand on your feet until you pick them up-even the roos are sweet as can be.Then,when you ask them a question they will answer you in a very sweet little voice as long as you ask they keep talking. They are super kid and family birds.Can you tell we love our bantam Cochin's here

I couldn't amagine not having them here..or having other bantams.
However,I wouldn't be getting any more birds until you fix the snake issue

 

[Inkheart]

I have to say that my Bantam Barred Rocks - or any bantam rocks - you cannot ask for a better bird. Meat wise as a bantam like previously said - not good. But I currently have a breeding pen with three hens in it - and some days i get three eggs - but always always at least two a day out of three hens. Calm - friendly - inquisitve - excellent foragers - quiet - they simply cannot be beat!!!!!

 

[FisherMOM]

I love our d'Uccles! They are sweet and talkative and you have to love those feathered legs!

great egg layers too! an egg almost every day!

 

[Animalian]

I have a bantam faverolle who is quite chunky. I believe the standard size was first bred by the french as a dual purpose breed so I assume you could try with the bantam too. She started laying a little later than the other breeds I have but I get an egg almost every day from her. Very easy birds to catch.

As for snakes, I fully enclose my coop in 1cm square wire, on a concrete slab, with about 30cm high of metal sheeting up against the wire all around the base. A snake has NEVER got in, which is dam good for australia near a creek. It also keeps rats and mice out, except for really young mice, but we've only ever had two get in.... the chickens enjoyed the snack!

 

[GotGame]

While they are definitely not a meat bird, they lay a surprising amount of eggs, adn they are bigger than a lot of bantam eggs. Try modern game bantams. I have had cochins, silkies, duccles, seramas, still have oegb and Modern Game Bantams by far have the best attitudes, friendly and easy to tame, and are very hardy.

 

[BookWorm243]

When tractor supply had there bantam I got a mix of breed including a bantam cornish. Out of all of them, my old english game is the best. I would say next to that would be my Cochin, but she has become more friendly since she has been in the house recovering from a raccoon attack. The games can fly, so they are great at getting away from predators.

 

[AprilWC]

Thanks for the suggestions. The snake was taken care of as soon as I found out that's what was happening.

So based on suggestions and what I like best personally, these are my top picks: Bantam Barred Rock, Bantam EE, D'Uccle, and possibly Cochin.

 

[orientphoenix]

bantam cornish r kinda plump, seabrights rnot to good at being mothers but sweet and alert, duccles r like one of the nicest i have had, cochins r so easy for predators because of their sweet slow nature, japanese r good mothers and flighty to, silkies r good mothers and cute and nice.