The main difference between a regular chicken and a bantam chicken is obviously size, the bantam being smaller than a normal chicken. The true bantam breed has been around for centuries and has always been the size they are now.
Silkie Bantams
Silkies are the most popular breed of the true bantams. They originated in China around the13th Century. Marco Polo made comments regarding the banties, as they are sometimes called, in his journals. The Silkie gets its name from the hair-like feathers that are soft as down. The most recognized color of the Silkies is white but they can be black, buff, partridge or gray. They have black skin, turquoise earlobes, crests, feathered feet and are five-toed. Silkies are among the most docile and friendly of the bantams and are often kept by poultry people to incubate the eggs of chickens that do not set. They should be protected during wet and cold weather because their fine plumage does not shed water like other fowl.
Belgian D'Anver Bantams
The Belgain d'Anver varieties are often referred to as 'quail' bantams. They are known by such names as Antwerp Belgian quail, or Barbu D'Anvers quail. The quail bantams are bred in a variety of colors including quail, porcelain, black, blue, buff, cuckoo, white, mottled and mille fleur. They have rose combs and are clean legged and bearded. These bantams were first developed in the Anver region of Belgium. The hens are friendly and good brooders, but the cocks can be very aggressive.
Belgian D/Uccles Bantams
The Belgian D/Uccles bantams are usually referred to as Millie Fleurs. They are a very popular breed first bred in Belgium in 1900. They can be found in a wide range of color patterns; millie fleur, porcelain, black, buff, white, blue mottled, splash, golden neck and more. They are feather footed, bearded and slow to mature because of their unique coloring which takes time to develop. Good brooders, the hens are quiet and friendly and the cocks not as aggressive as other bantam breeds.
Dutch Bantam
These are the tiniest of the tiny. This smallest bantam was developed in the Netherlands in the Dutch West Indies and have become a rare breed because of a marked decline in North America after World War II. They were not reintroduced until the 1970s and '80s. They have a single comb and are clean legged. The hens are good mothers but very protective of their chicks. The cocks have, at times, been referred to as 'snapping turtles'. There are eleven recognized colors in the breed which include; light brown, white, black, blue and silver.
Rosecomb Bantam
The origin of the Rosecomb is unclear. There is a claim that they are true descendants of the original bantams but others say they may be related to the Hamburg chicken. They come in colors of black, white and silver laced among others. These bantams are non-setters but generally friendly although the cocks can be aggressive. They have rose combs and clean legs.
Sebright Bantam
The Sebright is a beautifully laced bantam in silver or gold. They were introduced in 1810 in England. They are jaunty and lively but very delicate and must be protected from the elements. They are non-setters. The Sebrights have rose combs and are clean legged.
General Information
For more information on not only the true bantams but chickens that have been bred down to bantam size visit the ICYouSee Handy-Dandy Chicken Chart.
Sources
- Hubpages, Bantam-Chickens
- Henderson's Chicken Breed Chart
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