Bantams...

[Themellowyellows]

(I had no clue what category to put this under..)

Hi all, i'm thinking about making additions to my flock, the additions being Bantams. I heard a lot of good things about them and came to the conclusion that they probably are the best addition to my flock for the time being, but I have a few questions to be sure of that.


To start off, I already have 7 adult hens. Not bantams. (RIR, BSL and Buff Orps.) My coop and run is large, and in the warmer times or days when the snow is all melted, they free range. I do live in a neighbor hood, and in my 2024 additions I got stuck with 2 loud RIR's that I love so much but are very loud. I want to add more hens without being annoying to my neighbors who also have chickens but they are not nearly as loud as mine. Of course, with the egg prices now thats another reason I want to add hens. So my questions are...


1: Are Bantams actually quiet? Or are they loud at times.
2: How small are Bantam eggs.
3: Is it true you can train them to jump to your hand?
4: Would my hens accept them, or not?
5: (Probably the most important of all..) Are they healthy, hardy hens that dont get sick easily? And, do they have egg and laying problems later on in life?
6: What are the best Bantams to get sold at tractor supply?


Thanks!

 

[Debbie292d]

Hi!

Whilst silkies are not technically a bantam, but are that size-wise, they'd be a consideration.

I've only raised silkies and they're pretty quiet in that I hear others talk about how noisy their hens are. Once in a blue moon I hear them all cackling about something and I have to go see what it is all about. Nothing.

Any chick if worked with can be trained to jump on your hand. Ours would do about anything to get a beak full of scrambled eggs.

Silkie/Bantam eggs are generally a little smaller sized and beige or tan in color.

Silkies/bantams live about as long as any other breed and lay eggs a lesser consistency, about 5 per week instead of 6 or 7.

Your hens may not accept them as they are "different" being smaller. Be sure to get at least four or five, so if not, they can hang out together.

If raised on good layer feed or all-flock with oyster shell on the side, very minimal treats, vitamins and probiotics in their water every couple of weeks, they should live long, fruitful lives.

What each tractor supply sells can vary. You should be able to go to your TSC online and see what breeds they are carrying, then can look them all up ahead of time if you choose to.

I hope this helps! Good luck!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Won't TSC order some for you if you ask them to?

Edit typos

 

[Themellowyellows]

Hi!

Whilst silkies are not technically a bantam, but are that size-wise, they'd be a consideration.

I've only raised silkies and they're pretty quiet in that I hear others talk about how noisy their hens are. Once in a blue moon I hear them all cackling about something and I have to go see what it is all about. Nothing.

Any chick if worked with can be trained to jump on your hand. Ours would do about anything to get a beak full of scrambled eggs.

Silkie/Bantam eggs are generally a little smaller sized and beige or tan in color.

Silkies/bantams live about as long as any other breed and lay eggs a lesser consistency, about 5 per week instead of 6 or 7.

Your hens may not accept them as they are "different" being smaller. Be sure to get at least four or five, so if not, they can hang out together.

If raised on good layer feed or all-flock with oyster shell on the side, very minimal treats, vitamins and probiotics in their water every couple of weeks, they should live long, fruitful lives.

What each tractor supply sells can vary. You should be able to go to your TSC online and see what breeds they are carrying, then can look them all up ahead of time if you choose to.

I hope this helps! Good luck!

Yes!! It does, thank you so much! I dont think my TSC sells silkies which sucks because I love them.

 

[Themellowyellows]

Won't TSC order some for you if you ask them to?

Edit typos

I think so, but where I live you need to order 10.

 

[Themellowyellows]

Hi!

Whilst silkies are not technically a bantam, but are that size-wise, they'd be a consideration.

I've only raised silkies and they're pretty quiet in that I hear others talk about how noisy their hens are. Once in a blue moon I hear them all cackling about something and I have to go see what it is all about. Nothing.

Any chick if worked with can be trained to jump on your hand. Ours would do about anything to get a beak full of scrambled eggs.

Silkie/Bantam eggs are generally a little smaller sized and beige or tan in color.

Silkies/bantams live about as long as any other breed and lay eggs a lesser consistency, about 5 per week instead of 6 or 7.

Your hens may not accept them as they are "different" being smaller. Be sure to get at least four or five, so if not, they can hang out together.

If raised on good layer feed or all-flock with oyster shell on the side, very minimal treats, vitamins and probiotics in their water every couple of weeks, they should live long, fruitful lives.

What each tractor supply sells can vary. You should be able to go to your TSC online and see what breeds they are carrying, then can look them all up ahead of time if you choose to.

I hope this helps! Good luck!

Also, do you know if TSC sells specific Bantam breeds? Or assorted?