Practically each hen breed has a bantam model. However some bantam breeds haven’t any bigger counterpart. The latter are true bantams. Cackle Hatchery® gives the next true bantam hen breeds:

Belgian d’Anvers

Belgian d’Anvers bantams get their identify from the Belgian municipality of Antwerp, which is “Anvers” to the French. The phrase d’Anvers subsequently means “from Anvers/Antwerp.” Different names for this breed are Antwerp Belgian and Bearded d’Anvers.

This true bantam is available in quite a lot of completely different shade varieties. It has a rose comb, small or no wattles, a full beard, and muffs that cowl the earlobes. The hens lay small eggs with white shells and have a tendency to go broody.

Belgian d’Uccle

Belgian d’Uccle bantams get their identify from the Belgian city of Uccle. They took place by crossing Belgian d’Anvers with Booted Bantams (one other true bantam breed). The aim was to attain a bantam with each a beard and leg feathers, or boots. One other identify for this breed is Bearded d’Uccle.

Just like the d’Anvers, this true bantam is available in a number of shade varieties. It has a single comb, small or no wattles, a full beard and muffs, and totally feathered legs with vulture hocks. The hens lay small eggs with white shells, they usually readily brood.

Japanese Bantam

The Japanese bantam is an historic breed originating in Japan. This true bantam has a big tail in proportion to its measurement. A Japanese rooster carries this outsize tail up to now ahead that the feathers practically contact the again of his head.

Different options embrace a big single comb and lengthy drooping wings. The Normal requires unusually brief legs, that are related to the deadly creeper gene.

These little birds, which are available in a number of shade patterns, are extremely succesful fliers. The hens lay eggs with brown shells and make glorious broodies.

Rosecomb

The Rosecomb is an previous breed of true bantam originating in England as a beautiful decorative hen. It’s named for its distinguished bright-red rose comb. The Rosecomb bantam has white earlobes and a full tail that’s giant in relation to its small, compact physique, and it is available in quite a few shade varieties.

Rosecomb eggs are usually low in fertility, as is widespread amongst breeds having a rose comb. The chicks that do hatch are extraordinarily delicate, requiring further care to lift. However as soon as they attain maturity these bantams are hardy and lively, in addition to being succesful fliers. The hens are quite poor layers of eggs with tinted shells, and rarely brood.

Sebright

The Sebright is one other previous breed of true bantam from England, the creation of Sir John Sebright. These bantams are distinctive amongst chickens in being hen feathered, which suggests the roosters, like hens, have rounded hackle and saddle feathers. Sebrights are available in two shade patterns, each laced — silver and golden.

Sebrights have a rose comb and, like Rosecomb bantams, their eggs are usually low in fertility. And, equally, the chicks are tiny and delicate, and so require further care. However mature Sebrights are hardy, lively, and succesful fliers. The hens are usually poor layers of small eggs with white shells. They usually seldom brood.

Silkie

Probably the Silkie was initially from China, though it generally goes by the identify of Japanese Silkie. Whether or not or not it’s a true bantam hen is a matter of some rivalry. Though yard Silkies in the US are sometimes promoted as true bantams and are bred to weigh not more than three kilos, at ethnic Chinese language markets you’ll find Silkies that weigh 4 kilos or extra.

The breed identify refers to this chickens’ fluffy, furlike plumage. These birds have a crest, a walnut comb, turquoise earlobes, leg feathers, and 5 toes (some have six). The pores and skin and shanks are black, and the face, comb, and wattles are darkish purple. They could be both bearded or nonbearded, and are available in a number of shade varieties, the commonest ones being white and black.

Silkies are in style bantams as a result of they’re tremendous pleasant they usually can’t fly. The hens are respectable layers of small, tinted eggs. They’re such good setters that many hen keepers have them solely for incubating the eggs of uncommon or nonbrooding poultry.

And that’s as we speak’s information from the Cackle Coop.

Gail Damerow has authored quite a few books about poultry, together with The Hen Encyclopedia.