Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kimberly White, Lombard, IL,Zn 5 on April 14, 2011 at 8:45pm

Different breeds can come in different sizes.  The sizes are Bantam, Standard, and Giant.   The giant ones can be MASSIVE.  A lot of bantams are easier to handle as "lap chickens" because of their size, and tend to have gentler dispositions.  But, you have to check with the specific breed to see if it comes in the size you are looking for and if it has a good disposition.  It's a rule of thumb...not in set in stone.

I have a friend that breeds Serama chickens.  They are the smallest chickens.  Full grown, they are about as tall as a pop can.

Good luck and have fun!  It's nice to have a husband that will support you in this  :)

Permalink Reply by Bonnie Hannum ~ Missouri, USA on September 13, 2011 at 4:42pm

Kimberly, I've never heard of Serama chickens!  They sound adorable!!!  Does your friend live in IL too?

Permalink Reply by Kim Beall on April 15, 2011 at 9:03am

Pretty much what Kimberly said: Bantams are the smallest kinds of chickens you can get, and there are many many different breeds of bantams, with more being developed all the time.  In fact I would say there are far more kinds of bantams than there are any other size.  Bantams are very popular for collecting and showing;  I've heard them called "the flower garden of the poultry world."   They make good pets, especially if you live in a suburb or even a city, and they do lay eggs.  Their eggs are much smaller, as you would expect - for recipe purposes, you would need two or three bantam eggs to equal one regular egg.

Permalink Reply by dale learn bayda on April 20, 2011 at 8:41am

Here is elie my mille fleur d'unnle  next to my orpington go to www.cacklehatchery.com they have a whole section of bantams, There is another member here who has this breed in a cage in the house and is very happy with them my sister keeps mostly bantams and has large egg production.

Permalink Reply by dale learn bayda on April 20, 2011 at 8:49am

I believe there are some that are standards bred down in size...as you can get the green egg layers as well as silkies, cochins....

my mille is a true bantam and has no standard size. there are several  other millies.

check out the silver sebrights and japanese...... so pretty.

I have heard bantams are very naughty but lI ove my mille!!

Contributing GardenerPermalink Reply by Lyn (Sydney,Aus) on May 1, 2011 at 12:19pm

I currently have 9 chickens comprising 5 silkies, that are actually not really bantams as such, just a true small breed. However my others are 3 bantam cochins (or Pekins as they are known here) and 1 Polish Bantam. I love having small chickens as it has allowed me to actually keep more. I find all but the Polish, very calm easy to manage chickens who love being nursed etc. Sure their eggs are way smaller than average, but they are lovely to keep.
I inherited the Polish and whilst she is a beautiful girl, the Polish breed are well known for their bossy behaviour, she is the youngest of the 9 girls, but definitely the leader of the pack.
Good luck with your choice of chickens in the future.

Permalink Reply by Ronald G Maxwell z5/MI on September 11, 2011 at 3:55pm

I loved my silkies bantams. they were so gentle and soft.  Good with the kids as well!

Permalink Reply by Rosalie Young on April 9, 2012 at 6:29pm

Bantam I think means "small".  We just got 6 Rhode Island Reds and they are just now 5 or 6 weeks old now. 

 

Contributing GardenerPermalink Reply by Lyn (Sydney,Aus) on April 9, 2012 at 6:33pm

Rosalie - you must post some photos on the progress of your chickens. I have all Bantams in my flock of 9, different breeds and all different characters.  Not too prolific with the egg laying - especially at present as they are all moulting as we are in Autumn now and even at their peak I would be lucky to get a max of 6 a day. They tend to lay every other day.