Bantam chickens.. is it a breed or size?

[Dar]

I know this may sound silly but I have a question about Bantam chickens.

the word "bantam" does that refer to the size of the chicken or is it a breed?

I have thought that bantam refers to the size it is a smaller chicken, not a standard larger size.

we bought a box of a dozen chicks at an auction this past weekend and all the box said was "bantam chicks" . Now that they are 3 - 4 weeks old I am seeing that the colours are starting to appear with them and I have no clue what I bought

so what does bantam mean?

 

[sonew123]

Dar--I was always under the impression it is size...? Ive been calling all my smaller breeds bantams...sheesh Hope Im right

 

[ibpboo]

Bantam does refer to the size. Many breeds come in bantam size.

 

[Luke0987654321]

bantam refers to the smaller size

oh, and true bantam is that it doesnt have a standard size version
luke.

 

[Dar]

thats what I thought too... but DH's work buddy who will hatch anything just to see what it is.. says that bantam is a breed...

its kinds good that he will hatch anything cause I get his unwanted chickens...lol

 

[SunAngel]

People that take chickens to auction usually don't bother to tell you what you are getting. Sometimes my boxes just say hen, rooster or chicken!

Either the bantams you got are mixes and the person has no clue what is mixed with what, or they didn't feel like writing on the box what all was inside so just labled them bantams. But yep, its their size. You might have mixed bantams, like game hen/silkie...or there might be some different colored game hens, etc.

 

[ibpboo]

Pretty much what Luke said.
There are many breeds that are bantam size.

 

[sonew123]

Quote:
Dont you hate it when you "KNOW" you know your stuff and all its takes is for someone else to be a little arrogant about a different answer-then you question your own intelligence??

 

[ibpboo]

Quote:
Dont you hate it when you "KNOW" you know your stuff and all its takes is for someone else to be a little arrogant about a different answer-then you question your own intelligence??

YES!!

 

[Dar]

Quote:
Dont you hate it when you "KNOW" you know your stuff and all its takes is for someone else to be a little arrogant about a different answer-then you question your own intelligence??

YES!!

yep thats why I come and ask the eggsperts... all of you..LOL

I just took pics i am going to upload them now