Polish Bantams

[cocopops]

We have been thinking about keeping hens for some time, and have a nearly finished enclosure, and a hen-house to collect.

We were having some chicks from friends of ours, unfortunately a weasel type creature has killed the lot.  We have now been offered some Polish Bantams, or as my 7 year old daughter prefers "pompom heads".  Does anyone know how well they lay as this was our original intention, or, as I doubt our daughter will let us refuse, have them as 'pets'?

Any advice on this type of bird would be appreciated.

[cocopops]

[kt.]

Having just researched from a book, Raising Chickens, it says Polish breeds are more ornamental. Though this is not to say they wont lay. My last hens were bantams and they laid small white eggs, probably one every other day.

Though my current batch are specifically Laying Breeds and I wont go back to Bantams as I want large eggs with greater egg production from the hens. White Leghorn & Black Rock. Both are excellent layers of large eggs.

[ipt8]

We kept them once, they lay well but they are very small eggs for the size of the hen. Of course being a small bird you could keep twice as many as they eat half of as much if you follow my reasoning. :D

They come in different colours. We loved them and would have them again.

We curently keep hybrid layers and a few other named breeds because we want the eggs, a few friends buy them from us you see.

If you dont have the polish we would be tempted but I expect they are miles from here anyway (Dorking).

I say have them and enjoy them if you are having the eggs yourselves.

[Mr Smith]

In the past I have kept Bamtams in caged runs they have always laid well but you will never get the same sized egg from a Bamtam like you do from a laying chicken :)