The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Introduce yourself => Topic started by: Bobby on June 07, 2009, 06:37:11 pm

Title: First timer
Post by: Bobby on June 07, 2009, 06:37:11 pm

Hello

I am about to start keeping chickens.  We will be getting 4 bantem hens.  Any advice would be good.
Thanks

Title: Re: First timer
Post by: jameslindsay on June 07, 2009, 08:04:17 pm

Bobby, welcome. If you have read some of the basics and have a house, food and a secure area for them go and buy your chooks. The best way to learn is to buy them and learn as you go. I am new to chickens myself, have always had ducks, but now think the chooks are brilliant. We all have to learn as we go, so that's my advice for you. I now have 7 and they have all settled in very well, they share their paddock with 7 Pygmy Goats and 2 rabbits and we have no problems. Buy them and enjoy them.

Title: Re: First timer
Post by: sheila on June 07, 2009, 08:36:53 pm

 hi and welcome. Can I ask why you are getting bantams? They are not very good layers and they get broody quite a bit. Why not try some Isa Warrens or R.I.Rs

Title: Re: First timer
Post by: Bobby on June 07, 2009, 08:52:32 pm

Thanks for replying - I am totally new - someone at work mentioned bantoms - I don't understand the difference - or the terminology, just want a few chooks that will lay eggs
Bobby

Title: Re: First timer
Post by: jameslindsay on June 07, 2009, 08:58:29 pm

You do get some beautiful Bantoms, they are ofcourse much smaller. I have Rhode Island red's and Isa Warrens. I had a RIR Bantam and she was a great wee thing but sadly she is one that the fox got last week.

Title: Re: First timer
Post by: sheila on June 08, 2009, 03:10:07 pm

 You could look in the market place forum. There are black minorcans etc, all of which are good layers

Title: Re: First timer
Post by: Rosemary on June 08, 2009, 07:15:24 pm

There are two types of bantams - true bantams and derivative. True bantams are breeds in their own right; derivatives are small versions of large fowl breeds. So a Rhode Island Red bantam is just a small version of the large fowl.

Title: Re: First timer
Post by: Bobby on June 08, 2009, 08:46:08 pm

Thanks everyone. I am really quite excited.  The coop will be delivered tomorrow.  How long before the chickens start to lay eggs

Title: Re: First timer
Post by: jameslindsay on June 08, 2009, 08:50:10 pm

It varies, sometimes I hear it can take a week or two. The majority of mine have all laid the very next day. Enjoy your time with them they are great to have around. Have you never fancied ducks, they too are brilliant to have around? Have you decided what type of chickens you are getting?

Title: Re: First timer
Post by: Bobby on June 08, 2009, 08:55:22 pm

Quote from: jameslindsay on June 08, 2009, 08:50:10 pm

It varies, sometimes I hear it can take a week or two. The majority of mine have all laid the very next day. Enjoy your time with them they are great to have around. Have you never fancied ducks, they too are brilliant to have around? Have you decided what type of chickens you are getting?

To be honest - my som wants to get me some for fathers day - the idea grew from there - he is getting the chickens - and I am lashing out for everything else- we really are starting from scratch- thanks for the suport and advice

Title: Re: First timer
Post by: MiriMaran on June 08, 2009, 08:57:21 pm

I collected 19 hens yesterday morning and had an egg laid in the 10 min journey home!  We then had a further 14 and have loads again today!

Title: Re: First timer
Post by: Hilarysmum on June 09, 2009, 07:16:57 am

Hi Bobby, what a wonderful Fathers' Day present.  One which is not just decorative but will supply you with wonderful fresh eggs, and perhaps later even Sunday dinners.

Title: Re: First timer
Post by: Bobby on June 09, 2009, 02:20:50 pm

Sorry for all the questions - how long do the eggs stay fresh for and what do you all use to date them
Thanks

Title: Re: First timer
Post by: doganjo on June 09, 2009, 02:21:48 pm

3 weeks and a pencil  ;D

Title: Re: First timer
Post by: Roxy on June 09, 2009, 02:30:02 pm

I have nine bantams, well, including silkies, plus 5 chicks hatched a few weeks back.  I think 5 of the bantams are now broody - so definitely not many eggs off those lot!!  Not too bothered as I have a free range flock of hens too.  Once broody, they go off lay for weeks.  If you are wanting the hens for eggs, I would maybe think of getting hybrid hens, which lay well.

Title: Re: First timer
Post by: carl on June 09, 2009, 03:05:39 pm

It depends on how many eggs you want. some bantams lay only a few small eggs, some lay more and a bit bigger. I have had bantams, and although cute, did not earn their keep. i now have large fowl, pure breed and hybrids. I get a whole spectrum of eggs, large, medium small, white, pinky beige, blue, green and brown. the hybrids are the best layers, and very freindly. the pure breeds are more interesting and add variety. They are easy to keep, just look after their welfare. clean water, good feed, some where to scratch about, safe from the elements and predators and a comfortable size coop with nice private laying boxes. It's great fun and very addictive keeping chickens. you also get fresh eggs for breakfast.
good luck