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Post by greenwoodchook on Apr 6, 2009 14:04:04 GMT 8
Hi everyone... I am new to the world of "chicken ownership".
I have done a little reading and I was thinking of getting some "Bantams" - not for show but more a backyard pet.
I don't want to irritate our neighbours so I need some information about this breed and I suppose chickens in general.
I am really worried about the whole fleas and ticks thing – I read on some websites that at one stage or another all chickens get it – is this true or are these people just trying to sell their products. I have a dog and rabbit whom are both parasite free and I would hate for them to start getting the nasty bugs too.
Do Bantams make a lot of noise?
Can they get on with other friendly animals such as a small dog and rabbit - or will these animals stress them out?
Are they suitable for young kids – I have a 2 year old?
And I was told “you can get Bantams anywhere”… but I am having so much trouble finding them! I live in Greenwood – Suburb next to Warwick. I am not set up for chicks but a laying bantam would be good.
Would be great to hear from anyone that knows information.
Thank you!
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Post by rap on Apr 6, 2009 14:25:36 GMT 8
Hi Greenwoodchook ,Welcome to WAP. Most large chicken breeds have a bantam counterpart, sometimes referred to as a miniature. Miniatures are usually one-fifth to one-quarter the size of the standard breed, but they are expected to exhibit all of the standard breed's characteristics. A true bantam has no large counterpart, and is naturally smalL
Bantams have become increasingly popular as pets as well as for show purposes because they are smaller and have more varied and exotic colors and feather patterns than other chickens. They are suitable for smaller backyards as they do not need as much space as other breeds. Bantam hens are also used as laying hens, although Bantam eggs are only about one-half to one-third the size of a regular hen egg. Flea's and pest can come with the chooks you buy so [Caveat emptor ] let the buyer beware.Fleas can also come in from other animals roaming cats and wild birds etc You might want to clip the wing or wings as being light they can fly over fences.
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Post by horses7 on Apr 6, 2009 14:32:01 GMT 8
Hi Greenwoodchook, as rap stated most are counterparts of the larger breeds, but again each will have different temperaments, pekin bantams are usually very placid, but they do have quite a bit if feathering on the feet. and the large soft feather counterparts are not usually as flighty as the light soft feather. and as with any animal, you do need to have a flea and worming schedule, hope that was of some help and also welcome to wap
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Post by greenwoodchook on Apr 6, 2009 14:37:38 GMT 8
Thanks very much for your help... umm sorry this is a silly question (and don't worry I have some more up my sleeve)... but do chickens groom themselves or do we need to give them a bath?
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Post by greenwoodchook on Apr 6, 2009 14:44:55 GMT 8
Oh... horses7 and rap... for a beginner which breed of chicken would you recommend?
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Post by fluffychook on Apr 6, 2009 14:45:50 GMT 8
Welcome Greenwoodchook and welcome to the wonderful and very addictive world of chickens. A word of warning, be prepared to wanting more and more pens....lol.
It is a good thing you do not want to irritate your neighbours as you have to live with them and they can make your life very difficult. So in saying that how large is your block and how close is the nearest house to your coop. Are you wanting to have a rooster or just hens. Bantams are a size and come in a variety of breeds so you need to decide what breed you want and if you are wanting eggs as a bonus or a regular thing.
As you are in Greenwood and I know little about the area, I am presuming you would be wanting hens. All hens make a degree of noise and some can even crow if you do not have a rooster. I have never had one, but it does happen and I would say not a lot because most people do not know this.
I keep silkies and they are extremely quiet, only cackling after they lay an egg and that is not for long. These birds are a favourite with children and come in all sorts of colours even though only a handful are recognised as 'standard'. I have dogs and have not had any problems with them co habitating together. My sister also had rabbits in the same pen with no problems either.
Another thing about silkies is they are not known for being very big on the egg production side and tend to go broody a lot.
Hopefully I have answered your questions, if you have any more or want more info be sure to ask, we are all very willing to offer any advice or help you may need.
I treat my silkies at the beginning of each season for worms and fleas, even though they do not appear to have them, and yes they all get them just like dogs always get fleas if not treated with a preventative as they are everywhere and wildlife can bring them in to your property as well.
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Post by fluffychook on Apr 6, 2009 14:46:34 GMT 8
Oops, took so long in typing everyone else got in before me...lol
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Post by fluffychook on Apr 6, 2009 14:48:15 GMT 8
Chooks give themselves a dust bath, meaning they like access to dirt. Beats me how they can get clean, but it works
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Post by greenwoodchook on Apr 6, 2009 14:59:53 GMT 8
Hi fluffychook... I was hoping we could get a couple of hens for eggs - do you know any good breeds for this? I don't think we are allowed Roosters where we are and I don't want to have any accidental chicks - we only have enough room for 2/3 small gals.
I know what you mean by addictive... I have been going google crazy for chickens and coops and nest boxes and feeding trays etc etc and now that I have found this forum... I haven't done any work all morning - my boss probably wont be too pleased with this!
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Post by Judes on Apr 6, 2009 16:03:30 GMT 8
LOL welcome to chickens Greenwoodchook If you decide what type hens you would like let us all know and someone will know where to find the ones you're after
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Post by fluffychook on Apr 6, 2009 16:36:18 GMT 8
Chickens are a personal choice, so try googling bantamegg layers or something like that and make sure you do an Australia only search. Another thing is try doing the search by image, that will give you an idea of what each one looks like.
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Post by Cluck N Waddle on Apr 6, 2009 16:57:30 GMT 8
Hi greenwoodchook, Welcome to WAP Bantam Wyandottes might be a nice bantam for you, they are reasonable layers and come in lots of different colours. They are also quite common in WA, compared with bantam versions of some of the laying breeds.
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Post by beck on Apr 6, 2009 17:19:47 GMT 8
welcome greenwoodchook and good luck i think you have all the advice you need but i agree with cluck on the bantam wyandottes lovely and calm good with other animals and also kiddie friendly after they get used to being handled you can just pick them up best of luck
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Post by lakelands on Apr 6, 2009 18:45:40 GMT 8
Hi Greenwoodchook and welcome to WAP .
It has pretty well all been said. Pekins Silkies and Bantam Wyandottes are all good options. I have all three although the bantam Wyandottes are still new to me so far they are a little more flighty but should lay more eggs than either of the others. Silkies and Pekins are cuties and kiddies favourites. But you will find whichever breed you choose (or maybe one of each) you will find the more you handle them the friendlier they will become. Get them as young pullets and let the kids play with them heaps...and let us know which ones you end up getting. and yes chooks will keep themselves clean but you can actually wash them particulary if you get ones with foot feathering which can get a bit grubby in wet weather
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Post by Duck Diva on Apr 6, 2009 19:45:00 GMT 8
Hi greenwoodchook, nice to have you here Welcome to our big chooky family I love bantams and my favourite that I have had so far has been my bantam Wyandotte. Wyandottes are really pretty and good layers. They are also ver nice natured birds. I have Pekins and I love them too. They were my fave until I hatched the Wyandotte. She is in chooky heaven now sadly, but I have 2 more chicks that have just hatched. Im sure whatever you end up getting, you will love them. The handling from a young age really makes them tame. Your toddler will love the chickens. I dont find the hens make much noise, you wouldnt know theyre around most of the time. With your other animals, the rabbit will be fine, but watch your dog closely. Instinct can kick in and they could hurt or kill the chooks. Cant wait to hear what you get and for some piccies Yes, I love piccies, as all of us here do!! Cheers, Wendy
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