Suppose you’re interested in raising chickens in your backyard.
Then, the most crucial consideration will be the size of the bird since bantam chickens are much smaller than normal-sized chickens.
Bantam chicken breeds, or miniature chickens, are ideal for city backyards since they’re quieter and more accessible to care for than their larger counterparts.
The smaller size means that bantam chicken coops and chicken runs don’t need to be as big as those other breeds of chickens require.
They are saving you space and money on building materials.
1. Silkie
The first on our list of Bantam chicken breeds is Silkie Bantam.
The Silkie Bantam is a chicken breed that originates from Asia. They are known for their long, flowing feathers that resemble silk.
In addition, they come in various colors, including white, black, blue, and partridge.
Silkie Bantams make great pets due to their docile nature, and they are also good layers of eggs.
2. Barred Plymouth Rock Bantam
The Barred Plymouth Rock is also one of the popular Bantam chicken breeds. They are known for their egg production and their friendly dispositions.
3. Light Sussex
The Light Sussex is a British chicken breed developed in the 1800s. It is a dual-purpose breed that can be used for egg production and meat.
The Light Sussex is a large bird, with roosters weighing up to 9 pounds and hens up to 7 pounds.
The breed has light brown plumage with white tips on the feathers. The Light Sussex is a good egg layer, producing up to 200 eggs annually.
4. Maran
The Maran is a French breed of chicken that gets its name from the city of Marans in southwestern France.
It was created by crossing two other French species, the Croad Langshan and the Plymouth Rock.
The Marans were first imported into the United States in the 1930s.
It is known for its dark brown eggs, considered some of the best-tasting eggs in the world.
The Marans are an excellent choice for those who want to keep chickens for egg production and meat.
5. Barbu D’Uccle
The Barbu D’Uccle is one of the bantam chicken breeds known for its unique appearance.
The breed was developed in Belgium in the early 1900s, and its name was derived from Uccle.
The breed is known for its small size, blue eggs, and docile personality.
The Barbu D’Uccle is a good choice for those who want a pet chicken or a unique addition to their flock.
6. Buff Orpington
The Buff Orpington Bantam is a small chicken breed often considered the best pet chicken.
They are calm, docile, friendly, and one of the bantam chicken breeds. It makes them great for first-time chicken owners.
Also, Buff Orpingtons are good layers, producing 4-5 eggs per week. Some of the other benefits of this breed include their cold hardiness and ability to do well in hot weather.
7. Nankin
The Nankin Bantam is a small chicken breed popular in East Asia. The breed gets its name from Nanjing in China, where it was first developed.
Nankin Bantams are bantam chicken breeds, also known for their small size, docile nature, and ability to lay many eggs.
If you’re looking for a pet chicken that won’t take up too much space, the Nankin Bantam might be a good choice!
8. Sebright
The Sebright is a small British breed of chicken. It was first bred in 1809 by Sir John Saunders Sebright.
After this, it was named and admitted to the American Poultry Association Standard of Perfection in 1874.
The Sebright is one of the true bantam chicken breeds. Meaning it has no large counterpart. Sebrights come in two varieties: golden and silver-laced. They are good layers of small eggs and make good pets.
9. Belgian d’Anver
The Belgian driver is a breed of chicken known for being small and delicate. These birds are quiet and make good pets.
Also, they are one of the oldest bantam chicken breeds, dating back to the 1600s. Belgian d’Anvers come in various colors: white, black, blue, and buff.
10. Old English Game
The Old English Game is a chicken breed developed in England. It is a dual-purpose bird that can be used for meat and eggs.
The Old English Game is known for its hardiness and docile nature. They are also one of the oldest bantam chicken breeds, with some records dating back to the 1600s.
Meanwhile, several varieties of Old English games include Standard, Bantam, and Miniature.
The Standard type is the largest, with roosters weighing around 4.5 pounds and hens around 3.5 pounds.
The Bantam variety is smaller, with roosters typically weighing approximately 2.5 pounds and hens around 2 pounds.
11. Booted Bantam Chicken
The booted bantam chicken is a small, energetic chicken well-suited for backyard chicken coops.
These chickens are known for their friendly dispositions and hardy nature.
Booted Bantams come in various colors, including black, white, and buff. The most popular booted bantam breed in the United States is the Rhode Island Red.
12. Japanese Bantam (or Chabo)
The Japanese Bantam is a popular breed of chicken originating in, you guessed it, Japan.
They are small birds, usually only reaching about 1/4 to 1/2 the size of a standard chicken.
Japanese Bantams come in various colors and patterns, making them popular as show birds.
Though they are quite delicate due to their small size, Japanese Bantams are relatively easy to care for and make great pets.
13. Rosecomb Bantam
The Rosecomb is a Mediterranean breed of chicken. The rose comb is a distinctive feature of this chicken and is used in breeding other bantam chicken breeds.
The Rosecomb was first introduced into England in the early 1800s.
It is one of the oldest bantam chicken breeds and was once known as the Old English Game Bantam. The Rosecomb is a famous exhibition bird and is kept as a pet.
14. Pekin Bantam (Cochin Bantam)
The Pekin Bantam is a popular chicken breed that is often kept as a pet. They are small in size and have a gentle personality, making them ideal for first-time chicken owners.
Pekins are also good layers, producing up to 150 eggs per year.
