Whether you are a chicken know it all or more of a novice, you may have heard of brilliant bantam chickens. If not, let me catch you up... bantam chickens are basically miniature sized versions of regular chickens - which is what makes them so unbelievably adorable! Plus they are perfect if size isn’t on your side when it comes to backyard space.
While we treat our chickens as pets like we would our dog or cat, we do understand that a major draw card to these charming little creatures is their ability to provide us with lots of lovely, fresh and nutritious produce! ISA Browns, Australorps and Orpingtons are all famed for their ability to pop out hundreds of big ole’ eggs for us each year. But what about bantam chickens? Surely their pint sized posture means eggs are just wishful thinking?
Well think again! While they may not produce a large, golden shell of deliciousness each and every day, there are some bantam chickens that are notorious little layers and will be sure to provide the goods necessary for your weekly frittata!
Bantams chickens eggs, whilst smaller than the average chicken egg, are equally as nutritious and delicious as their regular counterparts - with the same smooth and silky white, and golden yolk, just asking to be poached, fried or scrambled!
So if you’re in the market for a more petite poultry pal, but don’t want to forego the hopes of having fresh eggs, read on to find out which bantam chickens will help to fuel your omelette addiction…
Easter Eggers
Regular sized Easter Eggers are notorious for lots of lovely large eggs (the name says it all really), so it makes sense that their bantam chickens counterpart is quite the layer too! Not only are Easter Eggers a sweet and friendly bantam chicken breed, but they will lay you some very sweet and small eggs in an array of different colours, from white right through to blue- your egg skelter will adorn a fabulous array of eggs in every shade!
Brahma
If you are searching for bantam chickens that will not only give you some fresh produce more often than not, and make a great family pet, then perhaps a bantam Brahma is the bird for you! This breed, which comes both in regular and bantam chickens variety, is a wonderfully quiet and tame breed- making them perfect for little ones! Plus the profuse feathering covering their legs and feet make them one of the funkiest looking of the bantam chickens! In terms of the humble egg, Brahma bantam chickens are your pick of the pint sized bunch, as they will lay you delicious shells of goodness regularly.
Leghorns
Leghorns are famed for their elegant look and demeanour, and the same goes for this variety as bantam chickens. While they may be smaller, their proud personalities sure do pack a punch! As well as being known as one of the more ‘attractive’ chicken breeds, they are also recognised for their profuse egg laying ability - even the bantam chickens will produce some perfect sized eggs to ensure your stomach grumbles are kept at bay each morning!
Plymouth Rocks
Plymouth Rock bantam chickens are a must have for any bantam chicken fanatics - get your hands on the barred variety to complete your all round dream bantam flock! This breed, when purchased in the barred variety, is known for being one of the most attractive breeds around, due to it’s sleek striped appearance. But don’t be fooled - these bantam chickens are more than just a pretty face! They are super sweet and docile in nature, and will also happily produce a fair amount of beautiful brown eggs - ideal for your next Sunday brunch! Despite their bantam chickens status, they are quite cold hardy, making for the perfect bantam choice if you are in an area where you can cop quite the chill. Have a peck at our 5 reasons to love Plymouth Rock chickens here!
Sussex
Sussex bantam chickens are true champions when it comes to producing those shells of goodness we so enjoy to eat. They are even known to continue to lay throughout the winter, which is most unusual for bantam chickens - who are not often known for their egg laying abilities. The Sussex will also make a wonderful pet, especially if you have little ones who are chicken crazy. Their placid and tame nature means they cope well with being handled, and enjoy the attention of their owners - especially when a sneaky treat is involved! They err on the larger size of the bantam variety, however they are still small and sweet in our eyes.
With so many amazing breeds to choose from, finding the right breed for you can be eggstremely confusing and difficult. From great egg layers to pest controllers to child-friendly pets, where should you begin?
Cluckily, our friends over at Chickenpedia have created an amazing Find Your Flock course. This extensive online course shares useful advice on choosing the right chickens for you as well as pros and cons for a variety of breeds including size & frequency of eggs laid. Find out why certain breeds are the most popular in your region and if they flutter your fancy! You’ll even learn about their different personalities, traits, and use their family-friendly compatability scale through this well-structured program. It really is a great way to find your perfect backyard buddies which is why I highly recommend the courses created by Chickenpedia to all of my readers! They are beginner-friendly and filled with vital information that help you raise a happy, healthy flock.
So if you are wanting to invest in a pint sized flock but still would like some fresh eggs to get you by (Sunday pancakes never go astray), then perhaps you should consider choosing one, or more, of the bantam chickens mentioned above. While they may not be egg laying machines, we can guarantee you will be more than satisfied with your weekly yield.
One of the biggest benefits of keeping chickens is having a great supply of fresh eggs. Nothing beats having fresh eggs in the house for delicious meals and baking treats. However, in order to get a frequent, fresh supply of eggs, keepers need to look after the chickens that lay them. There can be multiple issues that are stopping your ladies from laying which is stressful for them and for you!
Don’t worry though – the eggsperts at Chickenpedia have cracked it! Their Eggs in Your Basket course will help you, help your ladies lay successfully. Discover crucial information to keep your chickens happy, healthy, and frequent layers. All your egg questions will be answered in this extensive course.
From double yolkers, to soft shells, not eggs, to odd eggs, Chickenpedia cover it all! Click here to check out ALL of their amazing courses today!
No matter the chickens size or breed, if you want them to produce the goods, they will need a coop that provides them with a comfortable spot to get down to business. The Taj Mahal, Penthouse and Mansion chicken coops have ample nesting boxes to ensure your girls are never caught out again.
