What is the best/easiest Bantam breed for a kid to show?

[Hens_And_Chicks]

I'm doing research on Bantams for my son for a 4-H project. He really likes the Silkies - I like the Blacktail Japanese and a few others that are all black.

Is there a particular breed of Bantam that is better? For what it's worth, I live in Ohio and we can have very very cold winters so it has to be a cold hardy breed.

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

Since you want something that does well in the cold, I would suggest something that has a tight-fitting comb. The silkies would be great since they tend to be gentle and easy to handle. Other possibilites could be Rosecombs, bantam Wyandottes, or Sebrights.

 

[Hens_And_Chicks]

Does that rule out a dubbed Old English Bantam?

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Have you thought about bantam cornish? They are neat little birds with a whole lot of personality!

 

[greenapple]

Best advice I can give you, get a breed that he loves and will work with. Silkies do make nice show birds. Check out breeder clubs in your state.

My DD showed Bantam Cochin, Bantam Cornish, OEGB and Ameracauna last year. The OEGB cocks have to be dubbed for most shows, they are easy for small hands to hold, but can have attitude. Cochins you have to really watch for defects, but are very sweet birds. Cornish are wide, so might be a bit more difficult for small hands to deal with during showmanship. The person that helped my DD out with the ins and outs of showing also raises Sumatra, which are pretty birds.

 

[MoodyChicken]

For show... the Silkies are great. Competition is pretty good, and they're super sweet.

For Showmanship... Silkies would not be a good choice. They don't preform well. I'd recommend a Modern Game. They're cocky, sweet, and wonderful pets.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

I would say either silkies, bantam cochins, or old english game bantams. The old english roosters need to be dubbed, so either get an adult that is dubbed, or show a hen, as they dont need to be dubbed.