RL COLLINS, DUCKS, PEKIN BANTAMS AND FANTAIL DOVES

Over the last few years bantams have become very popular. One of the main reasons for this is that they are easy to care for and will happy live in any size garden.

HOUSING

Pekins because of their small size take up very little space and can be housed in a number of different ways. The most attractive is a purpose built house that has been designed for both the chickens needs and for ease of cleaning. However any type of house will be fine as long as it is glean dry and well ventilated. A rabbit hutch or similar can soon be adapted.

The size of the house will of course determine the number o chickens that you can keep. As a general rule four birds can be housed in a 3'x2'x2' house, remember that the house is only to keep them safe of a night and for them to lay their eggs. Whatever type of house they are to be kept in it is important that it is both weather and vermin proof.

The floor of the house should have a layer of wood savings that should be changed on a regular basis. I also like to add a small amount of straw in the nesting area for the hens to lay their eggs.

RUN

If you bantams are not going to be allowed the run of the garden then you will need to build some kind of enclosed run for them. Although they don't need a great deal of space the bigger the run the better. The run itself can be made in two was the ark which is an inverted V or a square, again the sort that is used to keep rabbits in is ideal.

The run will need to be attached to the house to prevent the birds from pushing their way out and if the run is lower that 3' high you will need a roof as the chickens may be able to jump out. If you are able to it is best to move the run around the garden every will this will prevent the ground from becoming stale.

FEEDING

Your bantams will find a certain amount of their own food if they are being allowed the run of the garden. This will be in the form of small insects, however they will still need to be given extra food if they are to survive. bantams can be feed on commercial chicken feed that comes in two forms, a pellet and also a meal (layers mash).

Both of them contain the same amount of vitamins and minerals however if your birds are confined to a pen then the meal is the better option as it is smaller and therefore takes longer to eat, this will help prevent boredom and them becoming over weight. A little corn can also be offered practically on winter evenings as it will help keep them warm on long winter nights.