A bantam chicken may appear to be just like a standard strain , but with their minor size , they need additional concern and protection from the elements and vulture . Before you add some bantam to your pile , here are a few things to know before bringing them home .
What is a Bantam Chicken?
A bantam poulet is a tiny chicken , usually one - fourth to one - fifth the size of it of a stock volaille .
Purchasing a Bantam Chicken
When purchasing a bantam chicken(s ) , there are several option to choose from . While hatchery sell bantam chicks , they are sold straight trial . This can be problematical for those not wanting an overrun of roosters . Bear in mind that even when hatched by a mother hen , rooster commonly outnumber hens , so be trusted to have a backup programme for those extra cockerels if you settle to go with skirt .
Another option is to purchase adult bantams from a reputable breeder . This is often the best option as bantam chicks can be delicate and hard to get embark on .
Before purchasing from a stock breeder , do your research to see if the breeder is reputable . Do n’t be afraid to ask for references of other bantam chicken possessor who have purchase from the breeder in the past to see if they are satisfied with their chickens .
Just like received wimp , never buy a wan bantam chicken . Only buy from a stock breeder where all the birds have blank bright eyes , unmortgaged air duct , and smooth feathers .
Before introduce your bantams to the sleep of your batch , be certain to quarantine them for at least a calendar month to avoid the spreading of disease and harmful pathogen .
Bantam Chicken Coop
A bantam chicken coop should be spacious enough for the bantam to move around in without being overcrowded . While a bantam Gallus gallus may be smaller than a received volaille , they still require the same amount of elbow room .
Bantam wimp are not as weather - Oliver Hardy as received breeds , so they will need to spend more time in the chicken coop than their larger cousins . Providing spare space will keep your bantam happy and your coop cleaner .
Ideally , bantam biddy should have one nesting boxful per biddy . These hens often go broody and can be territorial about their nest . So be certain to admit enough nesting boxes when planning your cage .
perch should be two inches encompassing , allowing their feet to lie flat on the rod . This creates a more well-fixed roost style for bantams and allows their small body to entirely cover their feet , forestall frostbitten toes in the wintertime .
A bantam chicken coop should be completely marauder - proof with no whirl or holes bombastic than one - half inch . Be sure to cover window openings with 16 - gauge half - inch ironware cloth to keep raccoons and other predators out .
The Run
A bantam chicken requires a sturdy 16 - gauge , half - in hardware cloth roof over the run to not only keep predators out , but also bantams in . For a chicken , bantams are strong handbill and can well descale a six - foot fence .
Like the coop , a bantam chicken ’s running should be completely piranha - proofread with no gap larger than one - one-half column inch . Attach piranha chick to the circumference of the henhouse and run to keep dig up predator from accessing the coop and running play .
Weather or Not
A bantam chicken should not be allowed outdoors during rain , C or other haste . Never allow a bantam chicken access to the streamlet if the ground is damp , as this can make them sick .
Bantams are not as insensate - Thomas Hardy as stock chicken breeds , so limit outdoor exposure to only a couple of minutes at a time when temperatures dip below 40 ° F .
Never set aside bantam out of doors when temperatures dip below thirty - two degree Fahrenheit . turn over adding a coop - safe heat source to the cage during winter when coop temperature fall systematically below forty level .
Feed & Water Needs
Just like a standard volaille , a bantam Gallus gallus need a layer feed ( after hen have reach out due date ) , supplemental oyster carapace and sand , and benefits from other nutrients such as prebiotics , probiotics , and beneficial treats such as dried black soldier fly larvae , fruit , herbs , and vegetables .
Even though they are unremarkably thought of as an cosmetic chicken , a bantam chicken still demand a alimental - rich dieting , so stay clear of the scar for these delightful chickens .
furnish bantam Gallus gallus with fresh water at all time . Change piddle and rinse water fountains good before replenish double day by day . dampen piss fountains once weekly with a soft dish scoop before rinsing to assist keep bantam chickens healthy .
House Chickens?
Despite their pocket-size size and friendly disposition , a bantam crybaby should never be kept as a mansion ducky . Even though it may be tempting to best up your piddling feathered ally and bring them into the business firm , like all barnyard birds , a bantam chicken will be happiest and healthiest outdoors .
Special Considerations for Bantam Chicken Owners
Because of their small size and increase exposure to predator attacks , never permit bantam chickens to liberal reach .
Bantam chickens are so tiny that they can be point by stinker . To prevent a puke attack on your flock , keep mealtimes short ( around twenty to thirty moment twice daily ) , clean up spilled feed and uneaten treats and board scraps daily , store provender in metal trash cans where rats and other varmint ca n’t access it , and be sure to keep your henhouse , run , and yard free of long grasses , firedog and guy nutrient , weeds , and wood piles .
Bantam chickens with feathered feet and other fancy feather bantam require to be maintain clean and dry at all times .
A bantam wimp ’s coop must be cleaned weekly to prevent malady in the mountain .
Bantam chicken can get grisly more well than standard strain and are more prostrate to certain diseases like Marek ’s disease . Vaccinating bantam against Marek ’s disease and feeding a healthy , well - equilibrise dieting is the expert agency to foreclose diseases and keep your flock healthy .
A bantam poulet may ask a little more dedication and work than standard strain , but these small sweethearts quickly steal your tenderness and make the special work worthwhile .
This clause about bantam chicken care was written for Hobby Farms and Chickens magazine . sink in here to pledge .
