Characteristics and the productivity of Bantam chickens

For breeding in private farmsteads, Bantam chickens are excellent. They not only lay eggs well but also serve as a real decoration of the poultry yard. Many species allow you to choose a bird suitable for any owner.

Origin

The Bantam’s homeland is considered to be Japan, although some sources indicate that they came there in ancient times from India. The first ancestors of the breed were wild, so now it has retained: natural immunity to infections, responsibility for the young, and the militancy of roosters defending the flock.

Breeders work with Bantam chickens all over the world. Therefore, chickens of this type appeared in many parts of the world – Malaysia, Holland, Germany, Russia, and other countries. Each has its differences, but there are features inherent to all.

Appearance features and productivity

The bird contains a unique “Bantham gene” of dwarfism. It is famous for its variety of colors. Variegated individuals weighing no more than 1 kg are widespread. The main features include unusually rich plumage, low position, and downy legs of most species.

The outwardly beautiful bird can also boast excellent health, a well-developed maternal instinct, and stable egg-laying. More than 90% of the chicks survive, the incubation period of which is shorter than that of many birds. Chickens can continuously incubate eggs for 3 months. They take equal care of their own and other people’s babies.

The annual egg production of one individual reaches 150 pieces and more, the average weight of each is from 44 to 50 g. The first eggs usually appear at the age of 7 months. The meat of Bantam chickens has received excellent reviews. It is juicy and soft, suitable for dietary nutrition.

Main breeds of Bantams

The wide variety of Bantam chicken breeds is visible in the photos below. It is possible to choose an individual not only by meat and egg characteristics but also by color.

• Nanking. The oldest breed of Bantam chickens of yellow-orange color. Roosters are distinguished by a wide “bib” of black color and a speckled comb. The luxurious tail is of the same color. The legs are bare, with a bluish tint.
• Feather-legged. Shaggy-legged Bantam is one of the most beautiful chicken breeds in the world. Most often white, can be multi-colored. Their main feature is thick feathering on the legs. The comb is leaf-shaped.
• Peking. Miniature Peking Bantams look large, although soft and fluffy to the touch. They can be white, speckled, black, and multi-colored. The tail part looks like a ball. The legs are small and shaggy, so it seems that the chicken does not walk, but crawls. The breed is in many ways similar to Cochins and has a second name – Bantam Cochin.
• Dutch. Dutch white-crested Bantams are amazingly beautiful. The pitch-black feather with a snow-white curly crest looks irresistible. Large, shiny eyes add charm. The tail is rounded. The legs and beak are dark. The comb is double-peaked, in the shape of the Latin letter “V”. Unfortunately, beauty brings nothing but problems to the chicken itself. Dirt sticks to the beautiful crest during feeding, which often gets into the eyes and causes inflammation. With the slightest moisture on cold days, the feather freezes, and the bird turns its head with great difficulty. During a fight, both roosters and hens equally love to tear each other’s crests, which sometimes leads to their complete plucking.
• Paduan. The most valuable crested and bearded Paduan Bantams can be white with silver or dark gold with different tints. Individuals are similar to Dutch, but larger, the crest is larger, and the comb is very small. The cock’s feathers are quite long and pointed, while the hen’s are more rounded.
• • Sebright. Chickens of this subspecies are gradually dying out, which is facilitated by their frequent illnesses and small number of offspring. Roosters are distinguished by a fighting character, which is not typical of most Bantams. The chest is well developed, the back is shortened, and the tail is minimal in size. The color is gray or white with a golden tint, the feather is edged with a black stripe. The ears are light and the comb is shaped like a rose.
• Hamburg Black (black and white). The plumage on the body and legs is thick black, the red comb is the calling card of the Hamburg Black. Although there are light individuals with pinkish limbs. Hens and roosters are phlegmatic. Young animals are well resistant to diseases.
• Bantam Shabo – one of the main branches of the breed, has wild roots in the forests of Japan. Chickens can be of any color. Their main difference is their tiny size. Silky and curly Shabo were bred for exhibition purposes, although initially, the plumage was straight and long. Small legs do not contribute to free movement.
• Calico. The most popular Japanese Bantam in Russia. The male has black chest and tail feathers with a green tint. The body feathers are “sprinkled” with white spots. The limbs are yellowish, without feathers. The Calico Bantam is often indicated as the ancestor of the walnut breed.
• Altai. The shaggy beauty has roots in Barnaul. A solidly built body, chest arched forward, the cap of the head is crowned with a lush “hairdo”. Bantams from Altai are distinguished by a special richness of feathers all over the body and an extraordinary variety of colors.
• Calico. The most popular Japanese Bantam in Russia. The male has black chest and tail feathers with a green tint. The body feathers are “sprinkled” with white spots. The limbs are yellowish, without feathers. The Calico Bantam is often indicated as the ancestor of the walnut breed.
• Nut Bantams are deservedly popular in Russia. They differ from the calico breed by their light chocolate plumage with a shade of gray. Females have a small head, bluish legs, and wings that are slightly separated from the body. Roosters are distinguished by black breast and tail feathers with a reddish tint.
• Fighting Bantams come from England. The photo shows the fighting Bantam chickens with multi-colored feathers, large wings, and a fan-shaped tail. In terms of build, they are very similar to heavier breeds of the same purpose. They are characterized by strength and vitality.

• Danish. Danish Bantams were obtained by combining Japanese and English “fighters” with local individuals. More than 15 color varieties. The body is squat, the front part is curved forward. The tail is lushly feathered with a high rise and large elongated wings. Individuals are resistant to diseases.
• Yokahama (Phoenixes). They appeared in Japan more than two centuries ago as a treat for the rich. The predominant plumage is reddish-brown with golden tints. The cocks’ tails are several meters long – raven-colored with a green tint and black specks, on the legs there are large spurs. The practical benefit of the breed is low, since although the hens lay eggs, they forget about them a little. Phoenixes were only created in Japan.
• Malaysian Serama. Very small in size, slightly larger than a pigeon. It arose from crossing Bantam from Japan and wild individuals of Malaysia. Maximum weight is 700 g. They can even live in cages at home. The appearance is amazing. The body is almost vertical, the tail is set high, and the neck is curved like a swan’s.

How does Bantam differ from other chicken breeds?

Bantams have some characteristics that are not found in other breeds:

1. Dwarfism. The average weight of a hen is 500 g, and cockerel – 1 kg.
2. Bright appearance. Nimble, beautiful, good-natured birds will decorate any yard.
3. Excellent health. Most chickens rarely get sick, as they have healthy roots of wild ancestors. The survival rate of chickens is high.
4. Ability to defend themselves. Bantams are distinguished by their bravery and will defend chickens from a fox or a kite without hesitation.
5. The developed instinct of a brood hen. Bantams will never abandon eggs. They can “take patronage” over other people’s chicks.
6. The taste of meat and eggs is beyond praise. The meat is tender, reminiscent of game. The egg is lean and nutritious.

Their small size does not prevent the roosters from making loud roulades.

How to maintain it properly?

Growing Bantams does not require any special expenses. The main thing is that they should have well-heated rooms, as the birds are very sensitive to cold. The floors should be insulated and covered with straw or shavings. A box with half ash and sand is required so that the hens can clean their feathers.

Due to its miniature size, the hen can hatch no more than 7 eggs. The chicks hatch on the 21st day. For the first three days, they should be fed soft food, best of all, a “mash” of eggs with cottage cheese, then millet. After two weeks, the mother hen herself will begin to teach them to look for food.

Summer keeping of Bantam chickens is possible in equipped enclosures measuring approximately 2×3 m and up to 2.5 m high. The entire space is well divided into two zones. The first is sown with cereals, and the second is sprinkled with well-dried sand, nests are installed under the roof and a stick is nailed down as a perch.

What to feed?

The food is very simple. In summer, finely chopped greens with mixed feed, in all seasons – grain, potatoes (or peelings), carrots, food scraps, flour with vitamin supplements, yeast and even cottage cheese. Chicks can be mixed with minced meat in their food. Chicks are fed every 2 hours, adults – 3 times a day.

How to breed correctly?

Breeding Bantams is also not difficult. To ensure that the offspring of the hens hatch healthy, do not put more than 7 eggs per hen (if large, then up to 5). The hatching lasts 21 days. The babies that appear usually eat with appetite.

It is good to arrange additional heating for them with an electric lamp. You can install it above the feeder no higher than 25 cm from the ground. Keep the chicks separately from the adult hens for t