Does caring for bantam chickens differ from conserving bigger chickens? Sure and no. Any variations typically relate to the bantams’ smaller measurement and to their sometimes light temperament.

Predator Safety

Bantam chickens are so mild in weight that almost all predators can simply carry one away. And since they’ve shorter legs, they will’t run to evade predators in addition to bigger breeds.

Alternatively, some bantams are higher flyers than most chickens. That may be a bonus for evading predators, however a drawback for conserving the bantams confined.

A coated run subsequently serves two functions for bantam chickens. It retains them from flying out, and it retains predators from flying in. For a run that’s too massive or awkward to cowl, a tall fence will hold bantams in, and shrubs or different options will give them locations to cover below.

Facility Changes

Bantam chickens have a lot the identical facility necessities as bigger breeds — dry circumstances, draft prevention, ample area for the dimensions of the flock, and so forth. Nevertheless, the place bigger breeds require 3 to 4 sq. toes of coop area per rooster, a bantam flock wants solely 2 sq. toes per rooster.

Entry to feed and water must be concerning the top of the chickens’ backs. So for a flock of solely bantams, or one with each bantams and huge chickens, feeders and drinkers should be decrease than they might be for a flock of solely massive chickens.

Additionally, many bantam breeds prefer to perch excessive up. Providing a number of perches at differing heights offers every particular person a alternative.

Combined Flock

When caring for bantam chickens in a blended flock, breed compatibility is crucial for stopping bigger, stronger chickens from bullying the smaller, much less aggressive birds. For essentially the most peaceable association, mix breeds with related temperaments. That will help you take advantage of appropriate picks, Cackle Hatchery® helpfully lists temperament on every breed’s “Breed Information” web page.

Useful Hyperlinks

What Is a Bantam Hen?

10 Causes to Preserve Bantam Chickens

Methods to Combine Totally different Hen Breeds in One Flock

Methods to Look after Bantam Chicks Shipped By Mail

And that’s at this time’s information from the Cackle Coop.

Gail Damerow is the writer of a number of books about conserving poultry, together with Storey’s Information to Elevating Chickens.