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.
Standard-sized chickens are about the same size as bantams, but they are smaller. Full-sized chickens weigh between 5 and 8 pounds when they are fully grown. You can choose from more than 200 different types of bantam chickens. Most large chicken breeds also come in bantam sizes.
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
While some true bantams occurred naturally, most modern breeds were developed through human selective breeding. By choosing birds with desired traits like small size and crossing them for several generations, bantam versions of many large breeds were created.
Genetics Behind Bantam Chickens
So what specific genes cause the smaller size of bantams? Research has uncovered that various genes are responsible depending on the breed, and likely involve multiple genes working together.
For example, in one study comparing the genomes of standard Cochins versus bantam Cochins, over 100 genetic variants were found that may contribute to the bantams’ smaller size. 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.
Interestingly, when different bantam breeds are crossed, the chicks often exceed the size of the parent birds. This demonstrates that each bantam breed has its own distinct set of genetic contributors to small size.
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. Bantam chickens need about 1/4 to 1/3 less feed than full-sized chickens because they eat less. 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
Bantams are easier to take care of than any other breed because they eat, poop, and need less space. This makes them great 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?
8 Reasons why we don’t keep bantamsThey are a quarter of the size of a regular chicken and they might not mix well in a large fowl flock. They might have a “Napoleon Complex,” which makes them act aggressively in a mixed-size flock, even though they aren’t that big. 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.