How to Raise Bantam Chickens

Bantam chickens are a nice way to enter the world of pet birds. Many people raise these feisty little birds for their variety of colors. The birds also supply plenty of eggs, although the eggs are extra small. Even though you can eat the meat from your chickens, many people get attached to the bantams they raise and find it hard to eat their pets.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Purchase some bantam chickens. Place them in a dry environment with wire on the tops and sides for at least two days to let them acclimate to the new home. After that, the birds know where their home roost is.

2. Provide clean water and food for the bantam chickens away from their roost. A tray of hardwood ashes, cleaned regularly, can help the birds keep themselves parasite-free. Keep grit out for them to aid in their digestion.

3. Look out for "broody" hens. They want to set on eggs and the birds can hide in small places to set. If you want chicks, let the hen hatch her babies. She also doesn't mind hatching another bird's eggs.

4. Watch the chicks hatch after 21 days. The chicks peck their way out of the shell and don't stop peeping for a month. They do this so the mother bantam doesn't peck at her babies.

5. Give the chicks clean chick feed and water. Chicks don't eat right away. However, once they start, they eat a lot.

6. Spend time with the bantams you raise. They make great pets and are very communicative.

Tips & Warnings

• You don't have to help raise the babies. The mother bantam teaches them everything they need to know about being a chicken.

[gugtup]

on 10/22/2008 we have 2 bantam chickens i think the one of ours is about 1 year old and it started laying eggs about 2 months ago, the eggs will keep for about as long as normal eggs, you can refridgerate the eggs straight away, if you want to butcher them i wouldnt suggest so because they are very small and wouldnt be worth eating

[brengibson]

on 10/21/2008 We live in the country and I have wanted to start raising chickens for quite some time. Yesterday, we were given 3 Bantam hens and 3 roosters. We have a nice roost we converted from a very large rabbit "condo" and also a completely fenced in area including the top. They seem to be doing fine. I was wondering several things..how long till they start laying eggs..how long will the eggs keep..should I store the eggs at room temp before refridgerating them..how old should I let them get if I want to butcher...how often do they reproduce new peeps? I know alot of questions, but if anyone can be of assistance, I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks
Brenda
[e-mail]