? which bantams should I get?

[crazyhen]

I would like to start with some bantams next Spring. Which ones lay the best and are not hard to raise. I would have a seperate coop and fence for them. I do not want feather footed types. Gloria jean

 

[Kennyog]

Dutch Bantams are beautiful and make awesome pets.

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

I would recommend a clean-legged breed to begin with. Dutch or OEGBs would be a good start.

 

[amazondoc]

In the clean-legged varieties, I'm fond of bantam rocks. I have silver-penciled, Columbian, and barred. They are pretty little things. But you could also go with bantam leghorns, which I also have (in white and buff), or bantam wyandottes (which I don't have), or all sorts of others. You really can't go wrong!

 

[pinguin]

I love my RIRs. Good layers of large--for a bantam--eggs. If you want broody birds, don't rule them out. Fully half of mine have been broody at least once, starting at 7 months. They've been good mothers, all.

Barred rocks, which just hit the 4-month mark, are already laying. They're sweet natured & real lookers.

It's important to think about what you want in a bantam. Really small birds? Large eggs? White/brown/blue/green? Small combs (for a cold climate)? Birds that do well in heat & cold? Will your choice tolerate confinement during bad weather (cold or rainy)?

 

[crazyhen]

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Where do you get your OEGBs? My brother got one and it is the tiny little thing and lays an amazing egg for its size. It also peeps instead of clucking like other chickens. Gloria Jean

 

[crazyhen]

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I want eggs, white, brown and colored eggs, tolerate cooler temps, and some hot days in summer. Thanks Gloria Jean

 

[crazyhen]

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I really like the original bantams I think. Not the larger scaled down hens. Although, I may change my mind about the ameracanas and Barred rocks. Gloria Jean

 

[speckledhen]

Maybe bantam Ameraucanas or bantam Easter Eggers would add some color to your basket.

 

[briana1975]

My kids just got our first bantams, little Seramas. Very little, cute and friendly. We do have 3 silkies. I guess they are a bantam too. Very fluffy and silly chickens.