Hybrids vs Light sussex bantams

[ratglass]

Hi

Its been a long time since I've posted.. its nice to be back!! I'm looking to get 3 hens or 4 bantams next year so I have the next few months to build the run etc. The plan is to house them in an enclosed run whilst at work and let them roam the garden (not forgetting to protect the veg beds!!) whilst I'm at home. The run will be home made approx 3m x 3m any views if this size is ok? My main question after doing plenty of research is whether to get bantams or hybrids? Obviously I know the eggs fom bantams will be smaller. I have also read they tend not to cause quite as much destruction as hybrids. Has anyone got any experience of this? I should add I'm in a terraced house- luckily with good neighbours each side.

Thanks for your views

[Suechooks]

I only have limited experience of bantams - I hatched some this year and they make 10 times as much noise as my Warrens! Two of them (a gold laced wyandotte and a buff orpington) screech all morning till they've laid and frankly I'm thankful they're on my allotment and not at home! The orpington laid for about 4-5 weeks then went broody for about a week and hasn't laid since and she has gone much quieter now but am expecting her to start again when she restarts laying!
I have 10 Warrens - 4 of them ex-batts - and they are really quiet. Most of them don't even bother to let me know they've laid whereas the Amber and Speckledy have to announce they're going to and they have!!! The Black Rock is quiet too.
My allotment neighbour has Light Sussex and they announce the egg arrival but otherwise aren't particularly noisy.
3m x 3m is probably ok for 3 hybrids if theyre going to free range part of the time.

[RichmondHens]

I would go for three hybrids - you will get more eggs. Light Sussex bantams are lovely but they do go broody a lot - well mine do anyway! And you can get some pretty hybrids these days.

Contrary to belief, smaller birds are often more active than larger ones so need just as much space, if not more, as large hens. 3 x 3 m is a rather small space if your hens are to be in there permanently but if you are going to let them each day then that will help to avoid them getting bored.

[Scarlet]

I would go for LF too! I also think bantams are more flighty and need more space. My silver sussex bantams are always broody unlike my Sussex LF and the eggs are half the size.