Bad A$$ Bantams

[Allan]

So a few years ago I inadvertently started breeding bantam Easter Eggers. I ended up with some very beautiful little birds that lay blue,green and pink eggs. I incubated and sold many of their chicks over a couple of years with several return customers for the following springs. Everyone came back singing their praises. This year I just let nature take its course and let the hens hatch their own and run wild with them, with no intention of selling them as I focused on hatching and selling my Indian Runner ducklings. But folks would come for ducklings, spot the bantams and say “what are those? Will you sell some?” So off they would go with ducklings and chicks. The remaining birds have spent the summer and fall out in all sorts of weather, roaming the countryside by their own choice. Many nights I would go around and collect them from the trees after dark and put them in, only to have them refuse to go in the following nights. This has continued until a week or so ago when they decided to start roosting in in the rafters of the breezy cold barn. So I open the barn door every morning, no matter the weather and they run around all day in the rain and recently, snow and I close the barn door after dark. This morning when I entered the barn and they were waiting at the door to run out into the -11 windchill...except for one little pullet. I searched high and low for an hour and then gave up thinking a hawk got her or she froze outside as temps reached around -15 here last night. Suddenly she came marching from the neighbours yard as spry and lovely as ever, walked up and ate a few pieces of grain, then excused herself to lay an egg.
Now that’s a bad a$$ chicken!

[windwalkingwolf]

They can really surprise you sometimes!

[Killerbunny]

I believe @ross has bantams that do really well running wild too!

[ross]

Yup

[Allan]

Sturdy little things for sure! And very tame despite living the wild life! What kind of bantams do you have Ross?

[Kbr42]

@ross @Allan any pictures of your flocks?

[ross]

I’ll try get some . All crosses

[Allan]

I will get some of mine too as soon as I get a chance.
UPDATE - She’s hidden a clutch of eggs in the neighbours yard somewhere and returned this morning after another night out, with the very distinct “Broody cluck” accompanied by angry screeching when the others approach. I caught her and penned her up for her own good. She is at me!!

[Kbr42]

Better go find those eggs......see if you can get her to sit in your coop.....

[Allan]

Here’s some pics of my flock