The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[ki4got]

When I was a kid, I had a bantam rooster that I would repeatedly throw out my second story bedroom window. He and I both thought it was great fun!

yeah I've had game bantams that could fly well... but the Dorkings and 'dottes are too heavy, the bantam cochin's feathers are too soft to cup the air.

 

[lalaland]

these sulmtalers are amazing flyers. Long flights, high or low. But like all chickens, once on the ground they can't figure out how to back track and get back to where they were!

 

[Nickeyo]

My bantam phoenix are awesome fliers, they take of drop really low and skim across the field and then swoop up at the other side and flow over the hedge lines, then start screaming really loud trying to find each other

 

[lalaland]

I"m probably culling my only bantam today who is ill, she was part of a mixed up order and I was so disappointed to have a bantam.
Now, though.....I want more.

 

[Nickeyo]

All my chickens start flapping about when I let them out but my friesians really go for it but even my silkie and Wyandottes try and join in

 

[aoxa]

I"m probably culling my only bantam today who is ill, she was part of a mixed up order and I was so disappointed to have a bantam.
Now, though.....I want more.

I hope you get more.. I am very sad to hear about Mrs. Murphy, but her weakness isn't a bantam trait. . I hope you don't give up on them. Love my bantams.. especially Nora, who is extremely talkative and adorable.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Aoxa - how do those little ones fare with the LF flock? I was always worried about them getting picked on.

 

[Nickeyo]

In my experience bantams are pretty tough and are often boss, my Wyandotte bantam hen had everyone scared when she had her babies, she was like a wrecking ball, taking out some of my LF roosters, now her chicks are almost full grown she's back in her normal position again.

 

[aoxa]

Aoxa - how do those little ones fare with the LF flock? I was always worried about them getting picked on.

Sue,

Bantams are SUPER fast and very good fliers because they are light weight. They can easily outrun a standard bird. The only exception is the silkie or something with restricted vision. If raised with standard birds, or by a standard mother - they do just fine.

Only issue I see is if there is a boy in the batch... If the bantam pullet was raised with a LF cockerel and she was submissive (squatting for him).. he will try to mate her and it could injure her. I haven't had it happen, but I can imagine it being a possibility.

 

[AletaG]

Only issue I see is if there is a boy in the batch... If the bantam pullet was raised with a LF cockerel and she was submissive (squatting for him).. he will try to mate her and it could injure her. I haven't had it happen, but I can imagine it being a possibility.

X2, except it DID happen. A bantam orp pullet set aside for me... source was gone for a week, and the cockerel she was in with decided she was his favorite (LF)... ruined her hip socket and did nerve damage to her leg. She seemed like she was going to recover after being separated/coddled/PT, but then relapsed. Must have hurt it again trying to go where the other birdies could go... if sheer will power could have saved her, it would have; no one ever picked on her, even though she was gimpy. Going to get some more; and make darn sure no LF cockerel likes her that much.