Why do you keep bantams?

[MissJenny]

I had no intention of liking bantams. I did not order bantams I did not want bantams... and then my two "standard" cochins stopped growing... the hatchery sent bantams and it was too late, I had them and I loved them. They are quiet and cuddly and the prettiest birds I have ever seen. Seriously -- we attended the Ohio National, with 7,000 birds on display, and not one was as pretty as my Louisa who just hatched out two babies. (OMG, cute does not begin to cover it.)

And here's what I have noticed of their little eggs -- when I cook them for breakfast they are not that much smaller -- maybe I'll need one more egg for an omelette. But when I devil them they are so adorable that a simple deviled egg creates a bit of a stir at the appetizer platter.

Last week I had one cochin and now this week, after hatching out two and rescuing two, I have five... I will be delighted to take in more.

Jenny

 

[D'Angelo N Va.]

Quote:
Correction: Sebrights are not the ONLY true bantams. You forgot Japanese Bantams for one and the Nankins just to name another...

 

[punky rooster]

Ms.FuzzyButts :

Take up less space, eat less food, most bantams have better personalities, easier to cuddle, miniature is cute.. shall I go on?? Just kidding.. Those are some of my reasons. Plus, I just like them!!

getting rid of my LF buckeye to get bantams because of that. I don't know about the better personalities tho...........
good luck
punky​

 

[NellaBean]

I used to wonder the same thing. Had all LF and didn't see the point in bantams. Then I ended up with a few bantam cochins. LOVED THEM. Ended up getting a zillion bantams.......I have since come to my senses and sold all off except for my small bantam mottled cochin flock. LF makes more sense for me because of hawks in the area and eggs that are of sellable size. The bantams were overall friendlier and more handleable. I sold most of mine to a family with kids who had tons of large fowl but wanted something small for the kids to enjoy handling. Last I heard the kids were carrying around the birds all over, every day. Perfect home for bantams.

 

[Pyncheon guy]

Pyncheons are a "True" Bantam as well.....I keep my Pyncheon Bantams to preserve the breed...plus I love their disposition and color.

 

[SilverPhoenix]

I agree with what a lot of people said above. They have great personalities, you can keep more of them (they take up less space and eat less), they make wonderful companions, they come in a lot of absolutely stunning variations, they make awesome mothers, they live longer than standards and tend to be healthier in my experience, and they're just plain adorable! Given a choice between a bantam and a standard bird, I would pick the bantam any day.

I don't keep my chickens for any sort of utility purpose, though--they are just my friends and companions, with an added bonus of free eggs.

 

[SilverPhoenix]

Quote:
I usually rehome my extra roos to 4Hers who want to show them and people who just want a pretty bantam for their flocks. Sometimes it takes a while, but I'm patient and find places for them to hang out until they find a home. Also, I breed and hatch very sparingly. I adopt or buy started or adult birds when I can, and when I do hatch, I try to only hatch in small numbers. Also, I keep a bachelor pad dog kennel so the roos can't all gang up and harass the hens (as they were before occasionally they got moved into their bachelor pad yesterday). It's a delicate balance, especially because I only allow my roosters to go to GOOD homes, but I manage.

 

[nzpouter]

Quote:
That's where you're wrong... we have orpington bantams, plymouth rock bantams, rhode island red bantams.... and when feed on meatbird pellets the boys will grow to a decent edible size.. over 1kg dressed..

 

[D'Angelo N Va.]

I culled about 6 nice size D'Uccle bantams last summer and ate 2 so far.....
also, the D'Uccles lay a nice egg for a small bantam. I was quite surprised.

 

[backdoorchicken]

we have both and we like the bantams the best.

i wish we had all bantams.