From page 36
Chicken breeds are divided
into one of two categories of
size: standard or large, and
bantam. In fact, many breeds
are available in both sizes.
Large breeds are, simply,
larger than bantam breeds,
and produce more meat and
eggs. To confuse the picture
further, some breeds have
both large and bantam
varieties, while others (usually
the fancier breeds) are solely
bantam breeds.
Bantams may be one-quarter
to one-fifth the size of their
large-breed namesakes. Their
eggs are smaller, and bantams
can continue to fly through-
out their lifetime.
Bantams are usually good
brooders, while many hens of
larger breeds do not sit on
their eggs. Some hobby
farmers enjoy raising bantam
chickens, breeding them, and
showing them. Others do the
same with large breed
chickens. But farmers who are
raising chickens for eggs
and/or meat will likely choose
large breed chickens for their
greater efficiency in produc-
ing them.
Some like to keep a few
banties mixed in with the
large breed chickens just for
variety and as incubators, as
bantams will often sit on eggs
that other hens have laid. In
fact they will even sit on duck
eggs ~ and then become
most agitated when their
“chicks” get into the pond to
swim.
According to the Poultry Club
POULTRY
of SA the following are true
bantam breeds: Barbu
D'Uccle, Barbu D'Anvers,
Barbu D'Everberg, Barbu
D'Watermaal, Dutch Bantam
or Hollandse Kriel, Japanese
or Chobo, Nankin Bantam,
Pekin Bantam, Rosecomb,
Sabelpoot Bantam and
Sebright.
All chickens are a source of
great entertainment, but
some would say that
bantams beat large breeds
hands down when it comes
to personality and quirkiness.
Some would also argue that
they are not as destructive in
your garden if they are free-
range.
You also need to decide if
you want to keep chickens
for their eggs or if you want a
good roast. Or you can
consider dual-purpose
breeds that provide both
eggs and meat.
Some breeds have been
developed as pure egg-laying
breeds. Their food-to-egg
output is maximised. These
birds don't make particularly
good eaters, though.
There are various egg laying
breeds or hybrids available
for a smallholder and many
of these are highly prolific
layers that can guarantee you
very high returns, should you
decide to make some income
from them. The main egg
laying breeds/hybrids in
South Africa are Lohmann
Silver, Lohmann Browns,
Hyline Browns, Hyline Silver
Browns, White leghorns,
Continued on page 38
Potch koekoeks in their large fenced run, with coop behind
37
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