What defines a bantam?

[watchdogps]

I'm just curious, is there any specific size max for a bantam, or is it just a term for smaller than standard whatever breed it is? Like, are bantams anything under x lbs, or what? I'm wondering b/c the mixed flock I got has some birds that are clearly bantams, but some that seem bigger than bantams but not really as big as the standard birds I have seen. Are they "tweenies"?

 

[Phenomenon]

Most bantams are a smaller counterpart of a larger breed. I say most because true bantams have no larger counterpart. So in general a bantam is a small breed of poultry.

 

[Katy]

The ABA has set standards for bantams as far as size.

 

[watchdogps]

so a bantam of a very large breed could be the same size as a standard of a smaller breed and a bantam of a smaller breed would just be tiny?
I dressed out three of these roos, who appear to be cochin crosses, and they came in around 2- 2 1/2 lbs, but should have been heavier (they were not in good condition when I got them). probably should have been 2.75 - 3.5 Would you call that standrd or bantam?

 

[Katy]

Quote:
I think most bantams have to weigh 30 oz or less. My wyandotte bantams should be 30 oz for a rooster and 26 oz for a hen. It lists cochins as 32 for Roosters while hens are 28 oz. It varies for the accepted breed.

It sounds like yours are mixed breeds on the smaller side, but not bantams.