What banties to add to flock ?

[Grandpa&Jack]

Grandson has some nice brown egg layers just starting to lay. When I grew up on the farm it just did not seem right to not have a couple banties running around with the full size flock. There are some Sebrights for sale in the local paper but from what I have read they may not be a good choice for the grandson (and I). Can anyone recommend a hardy species or two of bantums to look into?

 

[GardenerGal]

Sebrights can be aggressive, especially the roosters. I used to have two silver-pencilled Sebright roosters, and boy, were they cocky! They would lie in wait on a hutch or coop shelf just at my head-height, and the moment I turned my back on them, they'd cold-cock me in the head!! The little cowards.

Never attacked me when I was looking at them, only when I was turned away or walking away from 'em.

So, I'd advise to choose another bantam type!

I've had great success with cochin bantams, old English game bantams, Japanese bantams (Chabo), and Nankin bantams (a rare breed, but worth finding). All, especially the cochins and Nankins, have nice temperaments. And the cochins are fluffy and soft-feathered, which makes them nice "lap" birds. Great hold in your lap in front of the TV (just make sure to use a towel under them.

).

 

[danab]

I have not had them very long yet, only about 1 month. But my two bantam Buff Brahmas hold there own in a flock of 10 standards. They get picked on, but they sure are quick and have no trouble getting away. And at night there is a little yelling, but they all settle down and figure out who sleeps where within a few minutes.

 

[chickenlips1954]

My all time favorite banties are Frizzles. Very gentle and so soft!

 

[BorderKelpie]

You can't go wrong with cochins/frizzled cochins. Soft, sweet, nice layers of pretty little brownish eggs (great for deviled eggs - looks pretty on a platter.) The frizzles feel so neat when you pet them. Visiters to my home always have to pet Q-Tip because she feels so funny (funny in a nice way lol). Mine have no problem living with my LF birds.

 

[mandelyn]

My old flock was all Bantams of various types, the sweetest and most gentle had been the Old English games. Best roosters! Many colors too. This time around that was the first pair I got, and so far, they're the only two that LIKE being held and babied, no food required!

2nd to them, Black Bantam (not the black japanese... never had those). Again, way sweet roosters, dainty little hens with very soft voices.

3rd Cochins, great setters! Mine were usually daily layers in peak season. Didn't have a rooster for them, but the hens were great!

BUT, it depends on how they were raised (lot's of holding as chicks or human interaction?) and the temperments of the line, and so on. If these Seabrights were hen raised and only saw humans at feeding time, you'll know how they are when you go see them. If they're caged when you get there... hold them. If they don't like it or don't act calm, you don't want them. They'll be flighty, a rooster is more likely to be mean, and they won't ever want to be a pet.

At fairs I would "test" the roosters, by pointing fingers at them and dropping them down like a rooster head does in a fight. Those that responded back the same way... pass. Those that hid in the corner... pass. Those that looked back at me like I was stupid... buy. I only intentionally buy older roosters, over 5 months old, to test out that personality. The only 3 roosters I ever had to cull for aggression I bought as chicks.

For the 3 years I had Bantams before... the most common breed I came home with were Old English. I'd pass rows and rows of cages, testing out various roosters, and that's been the most reliable breed in terms of friendliest and sane roosters.

I had Seabrights, both silver and golden. The hens were nice, the roosters nice to me and each other, but they fought a lot with my black bantam roosters. The Old English roosters were too busy escorting their hens around to get involved in the "coop drama".

 

[elmo]

D'Uccles are nice, too, with those feathery feet. I have one D'Uccle/Serama cross, and four OEGB/Serama hybrids. All of them are beautiful, friendly birds.

 

[possumqueen]

Quote:
I agree about the D'Uccles. The roosters are nice. The hens are little angels.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Silkies are very friendly, so are bantam cochins. Old English Game Bantams are also a nice breed.

 

[usschicago1]

Cochins are friendly (even my rooster) and are extremly patient with kids (most of the time); They can handle hardships alot better than most chickens. They are great mothers. Just make sure you dont want them for eggs

extremly unrealiable...