How To Choose Bantams vs Standard Chickens

If you are new to raising chickens you may not even know what a bantam chicken is, let alone how to know what type of chicken to pick for your flock.

I have raised both, and it really depends on a few factors and personal preferences when choosing bantams vs standard chickens.

So how do you choose between bantam or standard chickens? You should consider several factors so let’s get started.

What is the Difference Between a Bantam and a Standard Chicken?

Size. A Bantam sized chicken is smaller than a standard size chicken. In relation to size, a bantam chicken is about a quarter the size of a regular chicken.

Standard sized females are usually between 5-9 pounds and a bantam would be around 1-2 pounds. Think a standard poodle versus a miniature poodle, a horse vs. a pony, you get the drift.

Some bantams are just mini versions of a large chicken, but true bantams only come in that size.

True Bantam Breeds:

Developed Bantam Breeds:

Bantam Eggs vs Standard Eggs Are They Different?

Yes, again it is all about size. Bantam eggs like the chickens themselves are smaller than standard eggs. We use two bantam eggs for every one standard size.

Bantam eggs also have a little higher yolk to white ratio, so if you’re like me and love egg yolks, this is a nice bonus.

In the Standard brown egg on left below (store-bought) and bantam cochin egg (backyard) on right.

Bantam Egg (cochin, from my backyard) on left below, notice that the yolk is almost the same size as the standard (store bought) egg on the right.

The amount of egg white is really quite different from a Bantam (left) below versus a standard (right).

Do Bantam Chickens Lay as Many Eggs as Standard Chickens?

Depending on the chicken breed of bantam that you choose they will lay as many eggs as the standard size chicken will. Just remember, the eggs will be smaller.

Some breeds that are well-known layers are:

One of my bantam cochin hens. They are very curious!

Are Bantam Chickens Friendlier Than Standard Size Chickens?

This all depends on the chicken breed and how they were raised. Hand-raised chicks will always be sweeter than chicks raised by mother hens, no matter the size.

A few breeds that are friendly and available in both sizes are:

Can I Have both Bantam and Standard chickens in the same flock?

Yes, but beware if you have a standard sized rooster in the flock. I have had a mixed flock with both standard and bantams and had no issues, but I also had no rooster.

I would worry that a larger rooster may hurt a bantam hen during mating. My bantam rooster sometimes hurts the hens and he’s a third of the size of a full-size rooster.

Can Bantam and Standard chickens Mate?

They can, that doesn’t mean that they should. Unless you know what you are doing with the breeding of chickens, I would avoid trying to mix sizes for breeding.

If you know what you are doing then I doubt you are reading this article.

So no, please don’t.

Are Bantam Chickens Broodier than Standard Chickens?

According to research and my own experience with bantam chickens, I would say that bantams are broodier than their larger breeds.

My silkie was notorious for brooding, even sitting on the larger eggs and if that wasn’t available she would sit on the golf balls we kept in the coop.

So if you’re looking for a broody hen try a bantam, just note that because of their small size they can only sit on a few standard size eggs if you have a mixed flock.

Are Bantam Chickens Easier Prey Than Standard Chickens?

I would have to say no. But how you raise and protect your hens comes down to many different factors. One, having a rooster in your flock will always increase the survival rate of free-ranging flocks.

This has made a big difference for our current flock, as the rooster keeps a lookout for the girls. Hens tend to get distracted while grazing, I’ve lost more standard-sized chickens without a rooster than I have with a bantam flock with a rooster.

Why Choose A Bantam Chicken?

Bantam chickens make a great backyard flock. If space is limited and you’d like more than a few chickens, bantams are perfect.

Since they are smaller they also eat less feed, so your feed to egg ratio is lower, therefore saving you money. They make great pets, and even small children find them adorable.

If you are looking for a showy chicken or a brood hen a bantam breed may be what you are looking for.