Why I think Bantams are not the best pet chickens

[belindaschicks]

This year I decided after my Black Austrolop went broody to let her hatch some bantam chicks. I ended up with 3 of the most adorable chicks. 2 Easter Egger and 1 Dominique. I handled them every day same as my previous chicks I had in the past. As they grew they formed there own little Banty gang. Every day I would tempt them with treats and struggle to get them back in the coop. It seemed like I was spending hours and weeks training these little ones what took minutes or a day for my previous chicks to learn. If you wanted to free range them good luck getting them back on the coop. If you want to hold them it took forever to catch them. Once you did they were happy to be held and would snuggle forever. It just seem to me that bantams are just smaller flighter versions of standards. Yes they are friendly and cuddly but so are standards.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I think you're right.
Many old timers have embraced bantams because the feed to egg conversion rate is better than with LF.
I think what you're experiencing is that you didn't lock them up in the coop as long as your original chickens.
It is best to lock the birds up for several days so they imprint on the building and then they'll go in on their own at dusk when you finally let them forage.

 

[junebuggena]

Depends on the breed. D'Uccle, bantam Cochins, bantam Brahmas, and Silkies can all make very nice pets.

 

[Bridger Davis]

Thanks for the info @belindaschicks

 

[belindaschicks]

I think you're right.
Many old timers have embraced bantams because the feed to egg conversion rate is better than with LF.
I think what you're experiencing is that you didn't lock them up in the coop as long as your original chickens.
It is best to lock the birds up for several days so they imprint on the building and then they'll go in on their own at dusk when you finally let them forage.

I did everything the same as my other chicks.

 

[dheltzel]

Depends on the breed. D'Uccle, bantam Cochins, bantam Brahmas, and Silkies can all make very nice pets.

I agree! Also bantam Ameraucanas (I have lavender ones) are very docile and friendly, but silkie and cochin bantams are "the bomb" as far as pets. OTOH, some breeds are not particularly good pets. I've never met anyone that had Sebrights and thought they were good pets.

 

[belindaschicks]

I am not saying that bantams are not friendly. I love my EE bantam hen. I got my bantams thinking they would be different then my standards. Who were already very freindly lap chickens. I kept reading how bantams were these great pet chickens. I think the only reason people say that is to make an excuse for having them. There is nothing wrong with having them if you want an assortment of egg sizes or have a large farm and like variety. I don't doubt that some of you have great bantam pet chickens. I just wish that bantams would stop being advertised as such. Before you know it children and 40 something woman will be carrying them in their purses like yorkies.

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

I have 5 Silver Duckwing Old English Game Bantams. Four of them is 3.5 years old and one is 2.5 years old. The four oldest names are Libby, Lacy, Lucille, and Chester. The youngest is named Lucy. Lucille hatched her out and Chester is the father. Chester is usually easy to catch because he likes to attack. Lucy is friendly, sometimes. Lucille is very friendly. Libby is soft and Lacy is the lest friendly. To me they are good pets that I don't have to worry to much about. If you have chickens free-ranging a bird of prey can get a Silkie without the Silkie knowing that the bird is near, whereas my bantams would see the bird and get away. One of the main troubles I have with them, though, is the fact that they like to fly up on everything that is way out of anybody's reach. Places like on top of any barn, coop,shed, or my house. The other trouble is Lucy, she likes to go under the shed were nobody can reach her. Either way I say that bantams make great pets!

 

[adrikeen]

I am not saying that bantams are not friendly. I love my EE bantam hen. I got my bantams thinking they would be different then my standards. Who were already very freindly lap chickens. I kept reading how bantams were these great pet chickens. I think the only reason people say that is to make an excuse for having them. There is nothing wrong with having them if you want an assortment of egg sizes or have a large farm and like variety. I don't doubt that some of you have great bantam pet chickens. I just wish that bantams would stop being advertised as such. Before you know it children and 40 something woman will be carrying them in their purses like yorkies.

I would be guilty of this. I have a Dutch bantam that loves riding around in my pockets.
@dheltzel I 100% agree about the Sebrights. I have two, and love 'em but they need anxiety medication!

 

[The Moonshiner]

I think you need more experience with different bantam breeds to see how great most do as pets.
You hear it so often because it is so often true.
One experience with 3 chicks imo isn't enough to dismiss bantams as not being so pet friendly.