Why Bantams? I don't get it....

[rachelcb80]

Quote:
I had to laugh at this. I went from really disliking the looks of Ameraucanas with their facial muffs and long looking necks, to really wanting some in all their blue egg laying glory!

Funny how our opinions can change.

I completely agree about totally not caring what someone else likes or dislikes. If I don't like something that's where it ends. I don't need to know WHY someone else likes it. I do spend time wondering why people are cruel to each other and seem to completely lack a conscience though. Not refering to anyone in this thread, just saying it's really the only thing about other people that I spend time wondering on.

 

[TheHalfWayCoop]

I agree, I'm one of the 'house chicken' folks right now and appreciated their size, and was hoping if the neighbours questioned our new silkies I could pass them off an angora rabbits

I see now how incorrect that was

They lay well for us though and are easy to handle for the kids. When we move to the farm this winter we'll be picking up a lot of standard heritage varieties for dual purposes and the silkies will remain function pets/lawn ornaments/brooders

 

[Chic-n-farmer]

When all I had was a 4 x 8 coop and a 16 x 16 run i wanted standards only. I had no use for bantams, even though I thought they were lovely.

Now I have more and larger coops/ runs and about all I have is bantams, with a few Leghorns and Marans for large/ dark eggs.

I have bantam Cochins and Wyandottes for showing. I find that I can keep more chickens with less expense. That comes in handy when you want every variety available.

My Cochins are gorgeous, but the Wyandottes have my heart. They are absolutely perfect miniature chickens. I think anyone who had them would fall hopelessly in love with them.

My bantams lay surprisingly large eggs.... not Leghorn size, but nearly the size of my blue Marans. And they lay a lot!! If all I wanted was an egg business I would stick with standards, but I'm in this for me. And I love the bantam varieties of the old fashioned layers:
RIR, BR, Wyandottes, Orps.


Try them..... you'll like them!!

 

[Tracydr]

Quote:
I've been thinking of getting some larger bantams for their eggs. I love bantams but my OEGBs lay quail sized eggs. Good to know these breeds lay good sized eggs. I like bantys because they are friendly, eat less are are great little pets. Good broodys, too.

 

[moodlymoo]

I have 2 bantys out of 18 now. I dont get it but the bantys are for the kids for 4H. One is a D'Uccel and one is a Cochin Frizzle. I think of them as eye candy.

 

[Gypsy07]

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Well, people DO eat quail. They're smaller than most banties, aren't they?

 

[aoxa]

Quote:
I had to laugh at this. I went from really disliking the looks of Ameraucanas with their facial muffs and long looking necks, to really wanting some in all their blue egg laying glory!

Funny how our opinions can change.

I completely agree about totally not caring what someone else likes or dislikes. If I don't like something that's where it ends. I don't need to know WHY someone else likes it. I do spend time wondering why people are cruel to each other and seem to completely lack a conscience though. Not refering to anyone in this thread, just saying it's really the only thing about other people that I spend time wondering on.

It wasn't the muffs. It's the plainness of them. Of course I would prefer white or patterned ones to those blue/grey ones. I just hate that colour on them

I would take any chicken that laid pretty eggs though. They don't even have mutt EEs around here!

 

[Chic-n-farmer]

Quote:
I've been thinking of getting some larger bantams for their eggs. I love bantams but my OEGBs lay quail sized eggs. Good to know these breeds lay good sized eggs. I like bantys because they are friendly, eat less are are great little pets. Good broodys, too.

Then you have to get bantam Wyandottes! They are absolutely perfect. My first ones came from ideal Hatchery, and though the colors and markings aren't very good the personalities will steal your heart! I went to a good breeded last year and bought dozens of hatching eggs and I am hooked for life. Here are picks of my hatchery Wyandottes:

and some Buff Brahma bantams I forgot to mention:

They all lay a good sized egg.

 

[mythkat]

You just can't beat a silkie or bantam cochin for broodyness. Best little mamas in the world. They'll beat the tar out of anything that even looks at their chicks.

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

They eat less, take up less space and produce as well as their larger counterparts. They are good show birds for kids (or adults) and plus, they are super-cute.

As far as usefulness after egg laying days...many people keep them as pets...and they can still be shown once their egg production drops off. Or I guess...you could make a chicken sandwich? LOL