We picked up our Lavender Pekin Bantams when they were just seven weeks old. Little bundles of timid fluff. How things have changed in the last few weeks. Now they are twenty three weeks old.
Alice was the first to start to lay the sweet little eggs and now all the girls have joined in.
Perfectly formed eggs in miniature. With the strongest of shells and the yellowest of yolks.
Over the weekend we decided the time had come to sample the eggs. We had a total of thirteen, lucky for us! They made a lovely plate of scrambled eggs, just enough for the two of us with a couple of rounds of buttered toast.
As the girls have come on to lay they have got gradually friendlier. Little Lucy still does not like to be picked up but all the others tolerate a cuddle. Caldwell has his wicked way with all the ladies each and every morning, and once they have fluffed out their feathers in indignation and told him exactly what they think of him, peace resumes and the day is usually one of Caldwell finding titbits and treating his ladies to all the best he can offer. He is a good husband and is the first to react to danger and anything unusual.
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When fresh food is delivered he makes sure all his ladies have a piece and even feeds them directly before he has any himself. If large leaves are thrown in he bites off small pieces for the ladies to help themselves to, making sure they all get a fair share. Lovely to watch.
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As dusk falls he herds them up the ramp into the house and they all cuddle together in the nesting boxes to sleep. One very happy little family.
Sue xx
The little eggs look so perfect and Caldwell sounds like the perfect husband - does he have a brother, hehe?
ReplyDeleteThose look like beautiful eggs to me! I currently have 38 hens and get around 20 eggs per day, in the summer time that increases a little. I do sell them from the farm.
ReplyDeleteCJ xx
Oh, I love Bantams:) Wait till you get chicks Sue, they're gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteHave a great day. x
Joan
ReplyDeleteLove your gentle blog this morning.
Wish I was there to give them a cuddle xx
Those eggs look delicious, hope you enjoyed them. Have a good day xx
ReplyDeleteGlad that Caldwell is looking after his Hareem !
ReplyDeleteI took plenty of eggs away on the boat at the weekend to feed the crew & they were much appreciated. I made a home grown salad too ....which they didn't eat !!! Heathans !
Isn't he a good lad Sue? I suppose it's worth their indignation if he takes such good care of them! x
ReplyDeleteIsn't Caldwell the proper gentleman...well after he has had his wicked way with them...ahem...that is.
ReplyDeleteThey are lovely eggs aren't they? Very hard to crack though I find! :-) I think the bantams are my favourite chickens because they are so very friendly. xx
ReplyDeleteHi Sue is it true that Bantams are a lot quieter then there bigger cousins and if so it this true of the Cockerels to?
ReplyDeleteYes, Bantams are much quieter than their bigger cousins. Although Caldwell has a crowing competition every morning to try and out do our HUGE New Hampshire Red cockerel. Bantams would be much more suitable to living in a built up area, less moaning off your neighjbours!!
ReplyDeleteIn general Bantams are half of their bigger cousins, half as noisy, half as messy and eat half as much food. They do need regular access to greens, grass, weeds or cabbage.
If you have anymore questions, don't hesitate to get in touch.
I currently have Lavender Pekin Bantam Cockerels for sale at £5 each if you're intersted. (Caldwells sons.)