Quick answer: Yes, bantams lay eggs, and yes, you can eat them. Bantam eggs are perfectly safe and taste just like regular chicken eggs, only smaller, about 1 to 1.5 oz each, so use roughly 2 bantam eggs for every large egg in a recipe.
Most bantam hens start laying at around 5 to 7 months old. Good laying breeds give 150 to 200+ small eggs a year, while ornamental breeds like Sebrights lay far fewer.
I have kept a flock of six Bantam Cochins for years, and their eggs are what we eat at home. Here is everything I have learned about bantam eggs, from cooking with them to which breeds lay best.
Bantam Eggs vs Regular Eggs at a Glance
| Bantam egg | Standard large egg | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight (in shell) | About 1 to 1.5 oz (28 to 42 g), depending on breed | About 2 oz (57 g) |
| Size compared to large | Roughly half to two-thirds | Full size |
| Yolk to white | More yolk, less white | Standard ratio |
| Taste | Same as any chicken egg; many say richer because of the bigger yolk share | Standard |
| Safe to eat? | Yes | Yes |
| Shell colors | White, cream, tinted, brown, blue or green, by breed | By breed |
| Recipe swap | 2 bantam eggs = about 1 large egg (3 for very tiny breeds) | 1 |
| Per year (good layers) | 150 to 200+ | 250 to 300 for top layer breeds |
For reference, the USDA weight class for a dozen large eggs is 24 oz, so one large egg is about 2 oz.
Can You Eat Bantam Eggs?
Yes. A bantam egg is a chicken egg, just from a smaller chicken. It is just as safe and nutritious as a store-bought egg, and you can fry, scramble, boil or bake with it exactly the same way.
I eat several each week. Because the yolk is a bigger share of the egg, I think bantam eggs taste a little richer.
What do bantam eggs taste like?
Like any other chicken egg. Diet affects flavor far more than size does, so a bantam on pasture with plenty of greens and bugs lays eggs that taste better than most store-bought ones. Kids tend to love them because they are “mini” eggs.
Are bantam eggs healthy?
Yes. They have the same protein, fats, vitamins and minerals as standard eggs, just in a smaller package. Because the yolk makes up more of the egg, a bantam egg has a bit more fat and cholesterol per ounce than a standard egg, and a bit less of the white’s protein.
Can you eat fertilized bantam eggs?
Yes. If you keep a rooster, as I do, most eggs will be fertile. A fertile egg collected daily and refrigerated looks and tastes the same as an unfertilized one; an embryo only starts to develop if the egg is kept warm by a broody hen or incubator. Learn more in how to tell if a chicken egg is fertilized.
Are bantam eggs safe? Food safety tips
- Collect eggs at least once a day, and more often in hot weather.
- Toss any cracked or very dirty eggs.
- Refrigerate at 40°F or below and cook until the white and yolk are firm, as the USDA recommends for all eggs.
- Not sure how old an egg is? See how long fresh laid eggs last and the float test.
How to Use Bantam Eggs in Recipes
Most recipes are written for large eggs (about 2 oz in the shell, or roughly 50 g / 3 tablespoons once cracked). For everyday cooking, swap 2 bantam eggs for each large egg. For baking, where accuracy matters, weigh them.
| Recipe calls for | Bantam eggs to use | By weight (cracked, no shell) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 large egg | 2 bantam eggs | About 50 g (1.75 oz) |
| 2 large eggs | 3 to 4 bantam eggs | About 100 g (3.5 oz) |
| 3 large eggs | 5 to 6 bantam eggs | About 150 g (5.3 oz) |
| 4 large eggs | 7 to 8 bantam eggs | About 200 g (7 oz) |
| 1 large egg white | 2 to 3 bantam whites | About 30 g |
| 1 large egg yolk | 1 to 2 bantam yolks | About 18 g |
My tip: crack bantam eggs into a measuring cup on the scale until you hit the weight you need. If you come up slightly short, add a splash of milk.
How long do you boil bantam eggs?
Less time than large eggs. I put them in boiling water and start checking early: about 3 to 4 minutes for soft and jammy, and 6 to 7 minutes for hard-boiled, then straight into ice water. Exact times vary with the size of your bantam eggs, so test one first. Halved hard-boiled bantam eggs make adorable deviled eggs.
Do Bantams Lay Eggs?
Yes. Bantam hens lay eggs just like full-size hens. Some breeds are good layers, while others are kept mostly for looks and lay only a few dozen eggs a year. Many bantam breeds also go broody often, and a broody hen stops laying while she sits.
My six Bantam Cochins lay most days from spring through fall and slow way down in the colder winter months. Several of them go broody each year, which is normal for the breed. Here is how I care for a broody hen.
At what age do bantams start laying eggs?
Most bantams start laying at around 22 to 28 weeks old (5 to 7 months). Breed, diet and season all play a part. Chicks hatched late in summer often will not start until the days get longer the following spring.
How many eggs do bantams lay?
A good bantam layer gives about 3 to 4 eggs a week, or 150 to 200+ a year. Ornamental breeds like Sebrights and Japanese bantams may lay only 50 to 80. Egg numbers drop during molting, short winter days and broodiness. If laying stops for no clear reason, check my list of reasons hens stop laying eggs.
What color eggs do bantams lay?
The same color as their full-size versions. Cochin and Brahma bantams lay tinted to light brown eggs, Easter Egger bantams lay blue or green eggs, and Silkies and Sebrights lay cream or white eggs. My guide on how to tell what color eggs a chicken will lay explains the earlobe trick.
Which Bantams Are Best for Laying Eggs?
These are approximate yearly egg counts for well-fed hens. Real numbers vary by line, age and climate.
| Bantam breed | True bantam? | Mature weight | Eggs per year (approx.) | Egg color | Family-friendly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easter Egger | No | 1.5 to 1.6 lbs | 200+ | Blue, green, pink or brown | Yes |
| Sussex | No | 2 to 4 lbs | 200+ | Tinted to light brown | Yes |
| Cochin | No | 2 to 3 lbs | 150 to 200 | Tinted to light brown | Yes (roosters can be aggressive) |
| Brahma | No | 2 to 2.2 lbs | 150 to 200 | Light brown | Yes |
| Dutch | Yes | 0.8 to 1.2 lbs | 150 to 200 | Cream | Yes (needs regular handling) |
| Belgian d’Uccle | Yes | 0.9 to 1.3 lbs | 150 to 200 | Cream | Yes |
| Belgian (Barbu d’Anvers) | Yes | 1.4 to 1.6 lbs | About 150 | Off-white | Yes |
| Polish | No | 1.6 to 1.8 lbs | About 150 | White | Yes |
| Serama | Yes | 0.45 to 1.3 lbs | About 160 | Cream to brown | Yes |
| Silkie | No (large and bantam versions exist) | 1.8 to 2.2 lbs | About 100 | Cream | Yes |
| Pekin | Yes | 1.3 to 1.5 lbs | About 80 | Cream | Yes |
| Sebright | Yes | 1.1 to 1.4 lbs | About 80 | White | Yes (roosters may not suit small kids) |
| Japanese | Yes | 1.2 to 2 lbs | About 50 | Cream | Yes |
What Is the Difference Between Bantams and Regular Chickens?
Bantams are simply small chickens, usually a quarter to a third of the weight of a standard bird of the same breed. They grow about 8 to 12 inches tall and weigh 1 to 3 lbs. Seramas are the smallest, at 6 to 8 inches and under 1.3 lbs. For a full side-by-side, see bantams vs standard chickens.
There are two types:
- True bantams exist only in the small size and have no large counterpart. Sebrights, Seramas, Pekins and Belgian d’Uccles are true bantams.
- Miniature bantams were bred down from full-size breeds, like Cochin, Brahma and Sussex bantams.
Bantams usually live 4 to 8 years, and many reach 10 or more with good care. They need less space and eat less feed than standard chickens, which makes them a great fit for small backyards.
Popular Bantam Breeds
Cochin bantam
This is the breed I keep. Cochin bantams weigh about two pounds, have fluffy feathered feet and love to be held. My daughter plays with ours every day. She is a little scared of our rooster, but he earned his keep when he fought off a hawk attack.
Sebright bantam
A British true bantam known for gold or silver laced feathers and rosy combs. Sebrights weigh under two pounds, are hard to breed, and lay relatively few small white eggs.
Silkie bantam
Silkies have fur-like, down-soft feathers and gentle personalities, which makes them a family favorite. Their fluffy feathers do not keep them very warm or dry, so keep an eye on them in cold, wet weather. Silkie hens go broody constantly and make excellent mothers.
Belgian bantams
Belgian bantams, including the bearded Barbu d’Anvers and the booted Belgian d’Uccle, are true bantams. They are friendly, come in lovely colors like mille fleur and porcelain, and fly well, so a covered run helps.
Pekin bantam
Pekins originated in China and are round, docile and feather-footed. The hens go broody easily and lay about 80 eggs a year.
Dutch bantam
Dutch bantams are tiny, active and a bit jumpy, but surprisingly good layers for their size. They come in partridge, black, blue, silver, lavender and more. Handle them often or they can become flighty.
Sussex bantam
Calm and tolerant, Sussex bantams are great for families. They have broad chests and medium-long tails and come in speckled, buff, light, coronation and other colors. They are among the best bantam layers and often keep laying into winter.
Japanese bantam
Japanese bantams have very short legs, upright tails and wings that angle down. They look shy but are full of personality. They are kept mostly for show and lay the fewest eggs on this list.
Brahma bantam
A miniature of the big, gentle Brahma. Brahma bantams are sweet, cold-hardy and come in light, dark, buff, black and white.
Serama bantam
From Malaysia, the Serama is the smallest chicken breed in the world, known for its upright stance, puffed-out chest and vertical wings. Their eggs are tiny, so you will need about three for every large egg.
Easter Egger bantam
A miniature version of the full-size Easter Egger, with beards and muffs and colorful blue, green or pinkish eggs. One of the best bantam choices if eggs are your priority.
Polish bantam
Polish bantams are friendly ornamental birds with a pom-pom crest that looks straight out of Dr. Seuss. They come in white-crested black, silver-laced, golden-laced, buff and more. Their crests can block their vision, so they startle easily.
Are Bantams Good Backyard Chickens?
Yes. Bantams need less space and feed than standard chickens, give you a steady supply of small eggs, eat bugs, and add manure to your compost pile. Their friendly nature makes them great with kids.
Final Thoughts
Bantams do lay eggs, and bantam eggs are safe, tasty and great for cooking. Just remember the 2-for-1 rule in recipes (or use a scale), and pick a breed like Sussex, Cochin or Easter Egger if you want plenty of them.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can you eat bantam eggs?
Yes. Bantam eggs are safe to eat and taste the same as regular chicken eggs. They are smaller, about 1 to 1.5 oz each, with a higher yolk-to-white ratio, so many people find them richer. Cook them any way you would cook a normal egg.
How many bantam eggs equal one regular egg?
About 2 bantam eggs equal 1 large egg. For very small breeds like Seramas or Sebrights you may need 3. For baking, weigh them: one large egg is about 50 g (1.75 oz) once cracked.
Do bantam chickens lay eggs?
Yes. Bantam hens lay eggs like full-size hens. Good laying breeds such as Sussex, Cochin and Easter Egger bantams lay about 150 to 200+ eggs a year, while ornamental breeds may lay only 50 to 80. Broodiness, molting and winter all slow laying.
At what age do bantams start laying eggs?
Most bantams start laying at around 22 to 28 weeks old. Breed, diet and season matter. Chicks hatched late in summer often do not start laying until the following spring.
Which bantam breed lays the most eggs?
Easter Egger, Sussex, Cochin, Brahma and Dutch bantams are among the best layers, at roughly 150 to 200+ eggs a year. Sebright and Japanese bantams lay the fewest.
Are bantam eggs healthier than regular eggs?
They have the same nutrients as regular eggs in a smaller package. Because the yolk is a larger share of the egg, bantam eggs have slightly more fat and cholesterol per ounce and slightly less protein from the white.
How long do you boil bantam eggs?
Less than large eggs. In boiling water, about 3 to 4 minutes gives a soft yolk and 6 to 7 minutes gives a hard-boiled egg. Cool them in ice water. Test one first since bantam egg sizes vary.
