Which Bantams

[Yoshih]

Hi everyone, I am new here but have been raising chickens for about 5 years. Here is my question, is there a calm breed of bantams. I had Japanese bantams about 4 years ago and they were so flighty when I came into the coop and run they would fly out of the run and It would take sometimes days to find them, I would like a calm breed that are friendly and not skiddish thanks

 

[Better Than Rubies]

Hello! Welcome to BYC; glad you joined.

Huh, my neighbor's Japanese bantam roo was really shy and not exactly "tame", but really sweet and nice, too.
I think a lot of chickens can be tame and nice if hand raised. But Cochins and Silkies are known for it, and I really like(d) mine. They're fluffy, too.

 

[sylviethecochin]

Lots of people like d'uccles.

I love cochin bantams (pekins) and Old English Game bantams. My OEGbs aren't tame, but they're pretty bold. Cochins are quite tame (for chickens, y'know.) Both come in a lot of nice colours.

Silkies aren't really bantams, but a lot of people love them. They're pretty tame (and more aggressive than people claim) I'm not a fan. I prefer my chickens intelligent.

We had Rose-Comb bantams when I was a kid. Those were pretty friendly.

 

[cleoandtheflock]

Belgian beareded D’Uccles are great bantams
Plymouth Rock bantams are sweet also

 

[NNYchick]

I have Silkies my cockerel/rooster are alway pretty docile and friendly come up for treats. The pullets are stand offish but get better at point of lay. They really aren’t flighty birds at all and if one is a little skiddish they are really easy to catch and get use to handling quickly. I did recently got some pet quality Seramas and they are sweet and like to be held.

 

[Cyprus]

I have Japanese Bantams now and they are not chill. At all.

Out of all the bantams I've had and encountered, I have always loved my D'Uccles. The breed is always chill, super tame, can be held by toddlers etc. I bought a trio as adults and they were super tame. One of those hens was an ambassador and small children could hold her in any position and she didn't care.

I will always recommend D'Uccles for the calmest breed on the Planet.

 

[Yoshih]

I have Japanese Bantams now and they are not chill. At all.

Out of all the bantams I've had and encountered, I have always loved my D'Uccles. The breed is always chill, super tame, can be held by toddlers etc. I bought a trio as adults and they were super tame. One of those hens was an ambassador and small children could hold her in any position and she didn't care.

I will always recommend D'Uccles for the calmest breed on the Planet.

thank you

 

[Alexandra33]

Totally agree with d'Uccles. By far, some of the most consistently affectionate bantams out there.

I also really like Old English Game bantams, though these are slightly more hit-or-miss. Some of the hens are docile, while others remain on the flighty side. Roosters are where the breeds shines.

Silkies aren't really bantams, but a lot of people love them. They're pretty tame (and more aggressive than people claim)

Yes! I went into it thinking my Silkies would inherently be meek, mild creatures based on common description. Goodness, was I ever surprised! Between choosing to forage in the elements during a bitter snowstorm (when everyone else was too "chicken" to venture out), and picking on flockmates, they're tough as nails.

~Alex