Bantam chicken breeds are, essentially, chickens that are significantly smaller than regular or large breed chickens. Some might call them miniature chickens.
Bantam chickens are usually about half the size of regular, large breed chickens. However, they can range up to 1/3 the size of a large breed chicken. So, if you get them, you will want to be cautious while introducing new chickens to the flock.
Bantam Chickens come in two variations.
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Bantam chickens can be either true bantams or bred to be bantams. So, basically, a true bantam is a chicken breed that is only a bantam breed.
The other variation is where a normally large chicken breed has been purposely bred smaller over time to create a miniature version.
This version will keep all of the characteristics that their large breed version have, just in a smaller package.
Why Bantam Chickens?
Besides that fact that miniature chickens are just plain ‘ol adorable, bantams can be a good choice for flocks. Since they are smaller, they take up less room.
Therefore, if you have a situation where space is an issue, you may want to consider bantams chickens.
Bantams, being smaller, also will consume less feed. This means that you can have the same number of chickens in a smaller space and feed them less.
If you ferment their feed, they will consume even less!
Bantam chickens do lay smaller eggs than large breed chickens. They will usually lay an egg that is the same percentage smaller in size as they are.
What are some Bantam Chicken Breeds?
There are so many different chicken breeds that also come in bantam size. So, the following list is by no means all encompassing, but here are a few bantam chickens:
1. Silkies
Silkie chickens are one of the most popular bantam chicken breeds, and our personal favorite. Unlike most bantam chickens, instead of your typical chicken feathers, Silkie feathers are more like fluff. Frizzle Silkie chickens look even crazier!
We may be a bit biased since we specialize in raising them. However, Silkies come in many different colors and patterns. They also have very domesticated personalities.
Our Silkies get excited to see us just like our dogs!
2. Bantam Easter Eggers
Bantam chicken Easter Eggers, just like their larger counterparts, lay multicolored eggs!
3. Seramas
Seramas are the smallest of all bantam chicken breeds. They stand out due to their upright stance, often compared to toy soldiers.
[[File:Fidel a Jerry Schexnayder Traditional Serama 2013.jpg|Fidel a Jerry Schexnayder Traditional Serama 2013]]
4. Bantam Orpingtons
Orpingtons come in a variety of different colors and are typically known as a large bodied bird. However, they are also bred down to bantam chicken sizes.
5. Sebrights
Sebrights were bred to be ornamental bantam chickens and are characterized by their black wing lacing.
By Latropox (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
6. Cochins
Just like the larger Cochin chicken breed. Bantam Cochins are known for having plumage along their legs and feet.
As you can see, there are so many chicken breeds that are available in a much smaller size.
What bantam chicken breeds are your favorites?
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I have two bantam chicks that look just like my black Australorp. Could they be their mini twins?
could be Australorp mixed with a bantam breed potentially 🙂
Maybe they are an Australorp crossed with a bantam breed?