Teresa Benham tells us about her Lemon Millefleur Sablepoot bantams that she keeps at her home in Sutton-in-Ashfield
My Sablepoots are nearly eight months old now and have just starting laying small, cream-coloured eggs; although we need to use more eggs for the equivalent ‘hybrid layers’ size, they are just as delicious. I chose Sablepoots for their pretty colour and inquisitive, friendly nature, and, as I bought them at six weeks old, they all are very tame now.
Their favourite treat is dried mealworms, and they are so funny to watch, hurtling down the path, feathered legs everywhere, when afternoon treat time arrives. Having feathered legs means these little bantams won’t leave your garden like a moonscape, but they are still partial to anything green! Their coop has a covered run, which helps to keep those foot feathers dry, and an occasional foot spa is helpful if the garden’s muddy. A little more attention to prevent scaly leg mite is necessary for this breed of bantam, but, to me, they’re well worth it!
