First, let’s establish that “bantam” is not a specific chicken breed. Rather, the word refers to a collection of breeds that are smaller than the usual egg-and-meat chicken breeds. A typical bantam chicken weighs less than two pounds, which makes chicken keepers wonder, “What’s the point?” Bantams don’t lay very well, and the eggs they do lay aren’t very big. Although the meat is tasty, what little of it there is, bantams are not economical to raise for meat. Nevertheless, here are 10 good reasons to keep bantam chickens.
What Causes a Bantam Chicken?Bantam chickens are a unique and popular type of small chicken loved by backyard chicken keepers But what exactly causes a chicken to be a bantam? The answer lies in genetics.
Bantams are essentially miniature versions of standard-sized chickens with mature weights around 1-2 pounds compared to 5-8 pounds for full-sized chickens. There are over 200 recognized bantam breeds, and most large chicken breeds have a bantam counterpart.
While some think bantam chickens have dwarfism, they are not technically dwarfs. True genetic dwarfism in chickens is caused by a sex-linked recessive gene called dwB that inhibits skeletal growth. However, the genes involved in creating different bantam breeds vary.
Bantam Chicken OriginsBantams originated in the port city of Bantam in Java, Indonesia. British sailors visiting the port in the 1800s acquired some of the local small chickens They took them back to Europe where bantam breeds were refined through selective breeding.
Bantam breeds fall into three main categories:
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True Bantams: Naturally occurring miniature breeds with no large counterpart. Ex: Japanese, Sebright
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Miniature Bantams: Miniaturized versions of a standard breed. Ex: Bantam Cochin, Bantam Orpington
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Developed Bantams: Created from crosses between true bantams and/or miniatures. Ex: Belgian d’Uccle, Pekin
Some true bantams were born naturally, but most modern breeds were created by humans breeding them in specific ways. Many large breeds were turned into bantams by crossing birds with traits like small size that people wanted and keeping them for several generations.
Genetics Behind Bantam Chickens: So which genes make bantams smaller? Studies have shown that different genes are responsible for each breed, and it’s likely that more than one gene works together.
One study that looked at the genomes of standard Cochins and bantam Cochins found over 100 genetic variants that may help explain why the bantams are smaller. No single dwarfism gene is at play.
Rather than one simple dwarfism gene, multiple genes regulating growth, metabolism, skeletal development, and more are altered to create diverse bantam breeds. Selectively breeding birds with the desired combination of these genetic traits produces new bantam breeds.
There is an interesting fact that when different bantam breeds are crossed, the chicks often grow bigger than their parents. As you can see, this shows that each bantam breed has its own unique set of genes that make it small.
True Bantams vs Miniature Bantams
While miniature bantams are shrunken versions of large fowl, true bantams have no large counterpart. True bantams likely originated from crosses between wild jungle fowl species. Their small size was naturally selected for survival in their native environments.
The Belgian d’Uccle, Japanese, and Sebright are examples of true bantams. True bantams tend to be on the smaller end of the bantam spectrum, with mature weights around 1 pound or less.
Miniature bantams like the Cochin, Polish, and Silkie reached their petite size through selective breeding alone, not natural selection. Miniatures are generally larger than true bantams, averaging 1.5-2 pounds at maturity.
Caring for Bantam Chickens
Despite their small size, bantams need much of the same care as full-sized chickens. However, a few considerations for their smaller stature include:
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Smaller housing space requirements
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Lower roosts, feeders and waterers they can easily reach
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Added protection from predators
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Gentle handling to avoid injury
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Separation from standard sized chickens to prevent bullying
The most significant difference is diet. Since bantams eat less than full-sized chickens, they require about 1/4 to 1/3 less feed. They should not be overfed.
With their big personalities packed into tiny bodies, bantam chickens make a fun and fulfilling addition to any backyard flock! Their origins may be miniature, but their appeal to chicken lovers worldwide is anything but small.
Bantams Poop Less
Because they eat less than the larger chicken breeds, bantam chickens poop less. That may be a disadvantage for someone who composts chicken bedding to fertilize a garden. But for many chicken keepers, poop disposal poses a problem that is significantly reduced by keeping bantams.
Bantams Make Great Pets
Since they require less space, eat less, and poop less, bantams are easier to care for than any of the larger breeds, so they make wonderful pets. That they are both good natured and easy keepers appeals to first-time chicken keepers who find bantams more user-friendly than the larger breeds.
Bantam Chickens Breeds, Egg Laying, Size and Care Guide
FAQ
What makes a chicken a bantam?
Bantams tend to be a quarter to half the size of a standard-size chicken. The American Bantam Association says there are more than 400 different kinds of bantams. Bantams are also found in different groups.
Are all pekin chickens bantams?
They are a breed that doesn’t come in both standard or Bantam like other breeds, they are known as true Bantams which means they only come in Bantam. Something that makes a Pekin stand out is the large number of feathers that cover and hide its feet and legs. The perfect Pekin will be round, almost like a soccer ball.
What are the disadvantages of bantam chickens?
We don’t keep bantams because they are only a quarter the size of a regular chicken and might not get along with other birds in a large flock. They can have a “Napoleon Complex” which can actually show aggressive tendencies much bigger than their size in a mixed size flock. They are usually very broody.
What is the average lifespan of a bantam chicken?
The average lifespan of a bantam chicken is typically 5 to 8 years, but some can live significantly longer, even past 10 years, with proper care and good genetics.