Reviews by BantamFan4Life

Japanese bantams, as you may have guessed, come from Japan. However, the breed has been tracked to originate from Southeast Asia, coming from the traders of the area. Japanese bantams have been bred for centuries in Japan. They are best known for their small size and very short legs.
I raise Japanese bantams and they are wonderful. I only have two Japanese rooster now, which I planned to get rid of, but they are so sweet. They aren't the friendliest birds, but they are tame when you hold them. Japanese bantams are great show birds, as they are easy to handle. However, their genetic problems narrow their chances of becoming show winners. What are there genetic problems? They carry a lethal allele (the short-legged gene) that kills 25% of incubating chicks at day 20 (a day before they hatch). Because of this, they are difficult to breed and hatch. Also, breeders have been known to breed from poor stock, resulting in possible disqualifications and defects in a show, as an APA judge told me. I thought I'd also mention, they are fragile when they are young, so, if shipped, some chicks may come dead or die a few days after they come.

Buckeye, a breed originating in Ohio, are wonderful birds for cold tolerance and egg laying. They are cold tolerant, as there feathers provide warmth--unlike many tight-feathered game breeds. Also, worries about frostbite can be assuaged with this breed, as they have a pea comb, which isn't prone to frostbite like the single comb. Buckeyes are good layers and have dual-purpose qualities. To glance at the cons, Buckeyes have aggressive and broody (although some people like broodiness) tendencies. I have also heard of Buckeye roosters being nasty, which is a con if you are wanting to raise them for pets or breeding. Overall, they are a mediocre breed.

Barnevelders are great chickens to get for a backyard flock. They do best in free-range situations as they have tendencies of getting fat. Barnevelders are usually fairly good layers and a lovely looking birds. They are somewhat docile, they are commonly listed for a good pet breed. They are very rare though, they're one of those breeds that needs help! Barnevelders are a very new breed, which is why they're rare. Barnevelders are a nice breed.

Dominiques are a pretty good breed! They are fairly good layers and have a lot of unique history. Dominiques were one of the first chicken breeds brought to America and still remain one of the oldest breeds. They are also generally tame. The only down point is that a lot of people get them confused with Barred Rocks; not noticing their rose comb difference. Dominiques aren't my most favorite breed because the Barred pattern isn't really my style of bird. But, that's just my opinion, if you do like their pattern than this is your breed.

Chanteclers are an okay breed. They are excellent in cold weather; as they come from frigid Canada. However, these birds do not do well in torrid, hot weather. They are fairly good layers, but they are flighty. If you are looking for a pet breed this isn't your breed ;]

La Fleche are one of my least favorite breeds. They are extremely rare and extremely flighty. They have a very wild nature and aren't the best layers. Overall, not a very good breed in my opinion.

Brahmas are a pretty good breed! They're fairly good layers and have excellent temperaments! They are absolutely gorgeous birds and make good lawn ornaments! The only thing that I dislike about the breed is they're HUGE and they eat a lot of food. Overall, pretty good breed.

From my personal experiences, I dislike this breed. They aren't really very good layers and are flighty. I'm not sure if it's just the hatchery we've gotten birds from in the past or what. I've mostly read that they are pretty friendly birds but ours aren't. They do they beautiful, dark brown eggs that are very thick-shelled.

I'm not the biggest fan of this breed, as they are notoriously flighty. However, they are very good layers, one of the best breeds for that purpose. They also, since they're a Mediterranean class breed, are thin and don't eat much. Ancona's tend to be pretty rare also. Overall, not the best breed, at least for me.

Partridge Plymouth Rocks aren't the best breed. Ours are very broody and very flighty also. She is an okay layer that we know of. Our bird has wry tail, which is why I put that they breed can have "genetical problems". These birds are very pretty with there partridge coloring. Overall, not the best birds.

Cochins are one of my favorite breeds! They usually are good mannered and sweet. They are also sooo cute!!!! The only bad parts with them are that they get dirty REALLY easily, they can be aggressive sometimes, they are difficult to show because there frequently dirty, and they're not the best layers on laying 1-4 eggs a week. Overall, I love the breed and I hope to get more in the future! I'd definitely recommend them!

Leghorns are an okay breed. I think they were more made for production for a large business then for backyard birds. These breed is NOT for beginners. My Leghorn is blind in one eye, has had prolapse, and goes through really bad molts. Over all I would not recommend them.

Australorps are a great breed for beginners seeking a good bird for laying purposes and have a somewhat friendly bird. There great layers, laying about 3-5 eggs a week. Although, Australorps are a little big for me and that makes them difficult to show.

I love this breed! I would definitely recommend them for pet chickens! There one of the few breeds of chickens that like to cuddle. I also love them because there soooo cute!! I'm not the biggest fan of the feathered legs because it's hard to show those kind of birds, there not the greatest layers, and they like to roost in trees.