In this second essay on Bantams I have confined it mainly to photos of the various breeds that are available. Once your interest is aroused there are ample sources of information about Bantams in most public libraries, various breeders have their own websites and there are many poultry fancier clubs in most countries.

Here I have included a couple of paragraphs on how to go about getting some Bantams. My earlier essay covered a little on the origins of bantams, housing, husbandry, ventilation, perches, nest boxes and free range. I have concluded this essay with a little on disease: mainly on how to prevent diseases.

How to go about getting some Bantams.

Most poultry fanciers specialize in a particular breed. You can see some of their birds at the various poultry shows that are held throughout the year. You can find addresses on the Internet, poultry magazines or look up your local poultry association in the telephone book. And do not forget your local library, always a valuable source of information. You would be surprised at the number of people that are interested in poultry keeping.

In Australia I have come across a couple of prominent people who kept poultry as a hobby. When I was a full-time mature age student at Melbourne University, I was surprised to learn that one of the senior lecturers in History was a poultry fancier. After being a ‘chook’ man since I was about eight years old, this ‘news’ delighted me. To learn that this stern historian was also a ‘chook’ man was great! Years later I was to visit several poultry fancier clubs around Melbourne, to give talks on the history of commercial chick sexing; I learnt that poultry fanciers and poultry breeders are loving people.

If you decide to enquire to a particular club by writing a letter, do not forget to include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Most poultry fancier club secretaries are unpaid honorary officials with full-time regular jobs and professions. Once you start looking around and keeping a look out you will soon be able to find out a lot about this enjoyable and interesting pastime.

How to prevent diseases.

I remember in my mid-teens reading a book on poultry diseases in preparation for my dream to be a poultry farmer and breeder of Australorps: Australia’s most popular commercial breed at that time. They were mated with white-leghorns cockerels for producing layers. After reading that book on poultry diseases, I began to have doubts about poultry farming: there seemed to be so many things they could catch. But if you follow certain rules, preventing sickness in your birds is not difficult.

Most infectious diseases are transmitted through the droppings. Therefore it is essential that cleanliness of the chicken house be given first priority always. That feeders and water containers are cleaned regularly. Any moister on the floor of the pen helps the growth of germs: so always keep you floor litter pliable and dry. This is not difficult; it also has the added bonus of preventing any smell. Keep everything dry, but not dusty.

Remember most Bantam poultry originated from warm Asian climates, extreme cold is not recommended. This would not be a problem in most countries I guess. Keep them in their pen during cold or wet weather. When a chicken’s feathers get soaked they are just as stressed as when they are hungry or heat dehydrated, any stress can make a chicken more susceptible to disease.

Always provide your birds with a safe, dry, and wind free area that they can go to from the rain, or extreme heat. Remember birds can sometimes be ‘unreasonable’ and not go to the shelter you have provided for them: this is where your husbandry with a watchful eye comes in. Sometimes diseases and parasites are brought in when new birds are added to the birds you already have. Perhaps keep these new birds separate for a couple of weeks if this is possible. Also be cautious where you purchase your new birds.

I will not add to the list of possible diseases less you end up be scared off, as I nearly was as a teenager. In the end it is all a matter of keeping everything clean and exercising a little common sense. Learn from other poultry fanciers. Having disease free birds is not too difficult.