Bantams

MOVING on to BANTAMS........If I was being totally honest, when I first thought about hens, my thoughts were of what I probably saw as REAL hens, that laid huge eggs on a regular basis. I’m ashamed to say the thought of keeping bantams never crossed my mind. It was Margaret’s persistence that moved me, a wee bit reluctantly at the time, towards our first bantams….silkies and pekins. Now I love them. They are special.

For those of you who have never had bantams, they really do offer many advantages over the large fowl…even if it took me a wee bit longer to realize it. They’ve got style, character and personality. All are beautiful and some are absolutely stunning. They’ll supply with a steady stream of surprisingly decent sized eggs and they appear to eat very little…certainly in comparison with their big sisters. Their housing needs are minimal and give them the freedom of the garden and they won’t demolish it. In fact all ours have a very friendly temperament. If you are just starting and only have a wee garden, start off with them. And if you’ve got a big space just about filled with big poultry, just you go out and make a little space for a few bantams.

We have a large range of pet bantams, Silkies and Pekins, but they are kept mainly now as pets for our own pleasure and use. Because of their Quality and general Popularity, we do sell some Birds and Hatching Eggs to customers when availability allows.

Both the SILKIE and PEKIN, (the pekin by the way is a true bantam) are established “broodies”….they make the perfect mothers to their own eggs and any other eggs, including ducks or quails. For that reason alone you should have them. Not only are they cheaper than any incubator, they are also far more reliable than most. Like most poultry people I can choose between four very reliable incubators, but for my most valuable, rare eggs it is always the broody silkie or pekin I turn to first. Our birds are very pretty and show quality and so if we do decide to offer them for sale you know you will be buying the best.

Our Breeding Bantams

At the time of writing this, we are restricting our Bantam Breeding Program, to Two “True” Bantams. (Small Birds in their own right). Unlike the majority of Bantams, they have no similar counterparts as large fowls.

SEBRIGHT

silver sebright

The SEBRIGHT GOLD LACED and the SEBRIGHT SILVER LACED. We have concentrated on these Birds for a very obvious reason...WE LOVE THEM. And we have yet to come across anyone who is not delighted with them. Popular they are, but they certainly could not be described as a common bird. Availability can be difficult, because of demand and they certainly have a rarity quality.

I mentioned earlier, some birds are absolutely Stunning and the “Sebrights”, definitely fall into that category. They’re Sparky, Sprightly and Stylish all the way and like all bantams, great birds to have around in the garden. Aristocratic in manner and appearance their stature may give them the impression of aloofness. They are very, very, friendly.

As emphasized above “Sebrights” are not great egg layers, fertility can be a problem, and their laying period can last no more than a few months. This is of course why they are difficult to come by. Early Ordering, is Recommended. ALWAYS in HIGH DEMAND.

silver laced bantam wynadotte hen

Since that last sentence we have been at it again, increasing varieties of bantams . . . starting with the “SILVER LACED WYNADOTTE”... The wynadotte of course comes in a variety of colours and is probably better known as a large fowl. We now have a trio of fine quality bantams. The photo will show they are not unlike the silver laced sebright... again obviously small in stature, very friendly nature, although maybe not as dainty as our wee friends. They certainly lay decent sized eggs and plenty of them. Generally, because of this, hatching eggs will be more readily available. They would certainly make a fine ornamental, friendly and productive bird for the smaller garden. Children especially would love them.

Next stop on our Breeds Tour: Rare Breeds & Traditional >