What is a bantam?

[chixcoop]

Is a bantam a stage in the chickens life, or is it a specific type of breed. Is it like there are barred rocks, but there are also bantam barred rocks, or are bantams a whole different type of breeds, and chickens. Also, what are bantams used for?

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

Bantam relates to the size of the chicken. There are bantam and standard breeds. Standard is full size and bantam generally means mini size. Sometimes there are bantam and standard versions of certain breeds and some breeds only come in one or another.

 

[12 gauge]

 

[chixcoop]

Bantam relates to the size of the chicken. There are bantam and standard breeds. Standard is full size and bantam generally means mini size. Sometimes there are bantam and standard versions of certain breeds and some breeds only come in one or another.

So there can be full size barred rocks, bantam barred rocks?

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

Yep! That is one breed that has both sizes. A breed like a Sebright comes only in bantam size so that is known as a "true bantam".

 

[Michael OShay]

Bantam relates to the size of the chicken. There are bantam and standard breeds. Standard is full size and bantam generally means mini size. Sometimes there are bantam and standard versions of certain breeds and some breeds only come in one or another.

Yep! That is one breed that has both sizes. A breed like a Sebright comes only in bantam size so that is known as a "true bantam".

X2 on both Chickerdoodle13's posts.

 

[Headinthesand]

It's a small chicken

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Bantams are miniature chickens. Once they are completely mature, the average bantam ways about 2 pounds instead of 6 pounds like normal chickens.

 

[drumstick diva]

Silkies are bantam chickens in this country. In UK and other areas they are regular sized (don't know how large that is). I think the smallest of the bantam breeds is the serama. Some weigh under a lb. With them it is better to keep size small by using small roosters and some what bigger sized hens. The real tiny hens are usually unable produce viable eggs, and may not be able to have eggs period.

 

[chixcoop]

Silkies are bantam chickens in this country. In UK and other areas they are regular sized (don't know how large that is). I think the smallest of the bantam breeds is the serama. Some weigh under a lb. With them it is better to keep size small by using small roosters and some what bigger sized hens. The real tiny hens are usually unable produce viable eggs, and may not be able to have eggs period.

What are bantams used for? Their eggs must be very small, and are small for meat birds!?