When you have a small backyard, you feel limited in space. You might think there isn’t room for a garden, a dog, and definitely not chickens. But what if we told you there’s a way to have it all? With a bit of creativity, you could have everything you want. Yes, even those chickens. With a small bantam chicken, you could have it all. Let’s take a look at these bantams and 5 bantam chickens ideal for a small backyard.
What Are Bantam Chickens Good For?
You might be wondering if owning bantam chickens have the same benefits as larger hens. And for the most part, they do. Your bantam hens will still lay eggs, forage for bugs, and give you fun entertainment. But there is so much more.
Space Needed
The biggest draw to bantam chickens is that they need less space. But how much room do bantam chickens need? The average bantam only needs 2 sqft of space in the coop and 5 sqft in the run. That is half the size you need for larger breeds. So if you have a small backyard, you can have a few bantams and be ok. Or you could splurge with larger yards and lots of bantams.
Cheaper
While bantam chicks aren’t always cheaper than traditional breeds, they are cheaper to care for in the long run. Bantams don’t eat as much food or drink as much water. Not to mention their coops are more affordable than large enclosures. So you will save hundreds compared to other hens.
Roosters
Roosters are known for their feisty tempers and guardianship over the girls. But bantam roos are typically as mellow as their female counterparts. Roos can be just as calm, docile, and affectionate, making caring for them even easier.
Hardy Breeds
Most bantam chickens are durable and withstand most things you throw at them. They aren’t known for getting sick easily or dying from minor diseases. These tiny birds even do surprisingly well in the winter in most cases. So though these chickens might look fragile, they can take anything.
No Flying
One thing that most people don’t consider is that chickens can fly to some extent. But most bantam hens can’t get high off the ground. So you don’t have to worry about them flying off or escaping into your neighbor’s yard.
Quiet
Chickens can get pretty noisy. So if you live in an urban area or have neighbors close by, noise can be an issue. Luckily for you, most bantam chickens are docile and don’t get loud. These small hens never get louder than an average conversational level.
Pets
And finally, are bantam chickens good pets? Bantams are kid-friendly with docile and friendly temperaments. Some large breeds can grow as large as a toddler. But bantam chickens are smaller and not as intimidating for young children. Your kids may even enjoy caring for such a unique pet.
The Downside Of Bantam Chickens
Many of the same cons that apply to large breeds apply to bantams as well. But there is one downside of bantam chickens when it comes to their eggs. As you can imagine, small birds won’t lay huge eggs. Instead, two bantam eggs roughly equal one large egg. So you will find that you run through eggs faster than standard breed sizes.
Are bantam hens good layers? Most bantam chickens are not the best at high production. Some only lay a few eggs a year. However, some of the “true” bantam breeds can lay up to 200 eggs per year. So, if egg production is on your list of priorities, you will want to take a close look at a few of our bantams.
You might even wonder, do bantam eggs taste different? Luckily, they taste the same as regular eggs. The white to yolk ratio is the same, just in smaller sizes. But when you keep bantam chickens, it’s not for the eggs. Let’s take a look at the best bantam chickens for small yards.
| Image | Title | Buy |
|---|---|---|
 Top | 12 Fertile Bantam hatching chicken eggs variety color | Check Price |
 Top | Jumbl Clear Egg Incubator, Fully Automatic | Check Price |
 Top | 12 Egg Incubator with Humidity Display, Egg Candler, Automatic Egg Turner | Check Price |
 | 12 LARGE COTURNIX QUAIL HATCHING EGGS | Check Price |
5 Bantam Chickens Ideal For A Small Backyard
Now let’s take a look at a few bantam chickens that are perfect for small backyards. These hens are beautiful and have so much to offer.
#1 Mille Fleur d’Uccle Bantam
One of the easiest birds to care for is the d’Uccle bantam chicken. Both the hens and rooster are calm and friendly creatures. They love their owners and even allow you to cuddle them.
The Mille Fleur d’Uccle also has amazing egg production. These hens start laying around 20-22 weeks. Once they start laying, you will get up to 160 white eggs per year. These hens make wonderful mothers and usually go broody often. So if you plan to breed, this is good news for you.
Another reason we love the d’Uccle bantam is that they do well in all seasons. And with a lifespan of 5-8 years, these hens are incredibly healthy. What more could you want in a pet hen?
#2 Silkies
If you want a quirky-looking hen, you need a Silkie bantam. These hens and roosters are also calm and friendly birds. But their egg production isn’t that great. With only about 100 cream to tinted eggs per year, you will want these hens more for the company.
But if you want a broody hen that dotes over their chicks, the Silkie is right for you. These hens go broody at least once a year, and sometimes more. With tender love and care, your Silkies could live as long as eight years. And most of it without any significant problems.
The downside to owning Silkies is that they aren’t the best for winters. Their fluffy feathers don’t hold heat well, so your flock would be susceptible to freezing and frostbite. But they are perfect for summer and warm climates.
#3 Cochin Bantams
If you want a hen that pulls double duty, you need Cochins. Cochins are one of the few bantams that also make good dual-purpose breeds. These hens lay a decent amount of 120-160 light brown eggs per year starting around 7-8 months old.
Cochins are on the 5 bantam chickens ideal for a small backyard because they withstand winter well. Whether it’s rain or snow, winter or summer, these Cochins are some hardy birds. In fact, they are so robust that they don’t get sick easily and live 5-8 years.
But these hens are more than eggs and meat. These chickens are intelligent and fun pets to have. You will love how gentle these hens are and will find fantastic companionship with them.
#4 Barred Plymouth Rock Bantams
Barred Rocks are some of the most famous chickens. They are cold-hardy, excellent egg producers, and docile temperaments. But did you know the standard breed has a bantam counterpart? These small pint-sized hens are everything you love about large breeds in small packages.
You can expect about 180 brown eggs a year. And they start laying these bountiful eggs around 20 weeks old. These bantams are also known to go broody at least once a year and make beautiful mothers.
Just when you think that these hens can’t get any better, you also learn that they do well in hot and cold weather. These hardy breeds withstand anything you throw at them. And their long lifespans of 8-10 years make them the perfect backyard pet for any family.
#5 Buff Brahma Bantams
And lastly, we have the Buff Brahma. These birds are calm and friendly towards everyone. They are even easy to handle and might just jump right into your lap. People love these hens because they remind them of everything they want in a pet.
But these birds are also great dual-purpose breeds if you are looking for fresh meat and eggs. These tiny birds weigh in at 2-3 pounds and make a decent table broiler. Yet, they also lay about 150 brown eggs per year. And it keeps getting better because these hens lay eggs in the winter as well.
And since we are on the topic of winter, these hens also do fantastic in the cold. All you need to do is proof the coop and keep up with winter chores, and your hens will be fine. You won’t even have to add a heater to the coop if you do it well. They are the perfect pet with no predispositions to illness and a lifespan of eight or more years.
How Much Are Bantam Chickens Worth?
If you are interested in buying a bantam chicken, you will wonder how much they cost. Chicks will only cost a few dollars per bird. But adults of quality breeding can cost anywhere from $20-$50.
You might have noticed that bantam hens go broody often, and they make good mothers. So breeding a few clutches of chicks could be a decent way to earn a side income. Especially with rarer breeds like the Buff Brahma Bantams, these birds are hard to find, and people look far and wide for them. You won’t get rich off breeding, but it could be enough to pay for food and treats.
Which Do You Like?
Out of all 5 bantam chickens ideal for a small backyard, we can’t choose favorites. They all have qualities we love, and not to mention they are as adorable as can be.
Below is a Pinterest friendly photo…. so you can pin it to your Backyard Chicken Board!!
