20 Small Chicken Breeds [Your Epic Guide With Pros and Cons!]
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Raising small chickens is one of our favorite
Another valuable part about raising miniature chickens, also known as bantam chickens, is that they eat less. Their smaller appetite makes the whole endeavor much more affordable. Plus, they are easily trainable and (usually) have fantastic, docile personalities. What’s not to love, right?
So if you want to bring some chickens home, we recommend you consider raising small chicken breeds.
Continue reading to learn about 20 of our favorite chicken breeds. In more detail!
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What’s Inside:
20 Best Small Chicken Breeds
- Serama Bantam
- Appenzeller Bantam
- Japanese Bantam
- Sultan Bantam
- Belgian Bearded d’Uccle
- Cochin Bantam
- Rosecomb Bantam
- Belgian d’Anvers
- Maran Bantam
- Rhode Island Red Bantam
- Old English Game Bantam
- Cubalaya Bantam
- Nankin Bantam
- Buff Orpington Bantam
- Dutch Bantam
- Buff Brahma Bantam
- Booted Bantam
- Sebright Bantam
- Light Sussex
- Silkie
What Breed of Chicken is Small?
Small chicken breeds include the Serama bantam, Rosecomb bantam, Brahma bantam, Dutch bantam, Japanese bantam, Sultan bantam, and Belgian bearded. And don’t forget the Belgian d’Uccle chicken!
Tremendously small chickens are often called bantam chickens. Bantam chickens are the miniature version of typically larger chicken breeds.
Typically, bantam versions of chicken are about one-half to one-third of the full-size chicken. However, there are also true-bantam chickens.
True-bantam chickens are chickens that do not have a larger counterpart. They are a completely separate breed of chicken and do not have a full-size version.
There are also miniature chickens. Miniature chickens are created by mating a standard-size chicken with a bantam variety of chicken.
Keep reading to learn more about these miniature small chicken breeds.
Small White Chicken Breeds
Serama Bantam
| Average Size: | About 19 ounces |
| Temperament: | Outgoing, friendly, and quiet |
| Egg Production: | Up to 160 eggs per year |
| Meat Quality: | Poor |
Serama bantams get referred to as the tiniest chickens in the world. They are native to Malaysia but are commonly raised all over the globe. They are known for being friendly and calm. Their small gentle stature makes them easy to train and handle.
Plus, when compared to other bantam breeds? The Serama chickens don’t make that much noise. Their most common color is white. However, it is possible to find Serama bantams in other colors.
Appenzeller Bantam
| Average Size: | Between 1 and 2 pounds |
| Temperament: | Free-spirited and exploratory |
| Egg Production: | Between 100 and 150 eggs per year |
| Meat Quality: | Minimal |
The Appenzeller breed of bantam chicken is known for its unique, rock star-like feather on top of its head. These chickens do not have crests, but they do have beards. This breed of chicken is very free-spirited, and they like to fly.
So if you must enclose them, make sure your enclosure is high enough or has a roof. Otherwise, these bantam chickens love to roam freely. Nowadays, these chickens can be hard to find, but possible.
Japanese Bantam
| Average Size: | Less than 2 pounds |
| Temperament: | Shy and timid |
| Egg Production: | Less than 60 per year |
| Meat Quality: | Minimal |
The Japanese bantam is a true bantam breed. They are notably small because of their exceptionally short legs. They come in myriad colors, but the most common is black-tailed and white.
These chickens tend to be timid. That only contributes to their ease of training. They do not lay a lot of eggs. When their eggs do hatch, they are very caring mothers.
Sultan Bantam
| Average Size: | About 1.5 pounds |
| Temperament: | Friendly, approachable, and loving |
| Egg Production: | Less than 60 eggs per year |
| Meat Quality: | Poor |
The Sultan bantam is one of North America’s favorite ornamental chicken breeds. Sure, they don’t lay that many eggs per year, but they make fantastic pets. They even love to cuddle and are great with children.
For the same reasons, they make for excellent show birds. These chickens have white and fluffy feathers. Their beaks are also white – their beaks are neat! They also have five toes instead of the standard four.
Belgian Bearded d’Uccle
| Average Size: | Less than 2 pounds |
| Temperament: | Curious, active, and broody |
| Egg Production: | Up to 100 per year |
| Meat Quality: | Poor |
The Belgian d’Uccle (pronounced dew-clay) is a beautiful small chicken breed. Some homesteaders call them Mille Fleur. Mille Fleur refers to their speckled feathers.
But – these chickens aren’t all the same. You can also find silver quail, lavender, and white Belgian d’Uccle chickens. They also have beards, muffs, and stocky necks. If you get to know these pleasant birds, you’ll also notice their prominent tails and feathered feet.
For that reason, they are sometimes confused with Booted bantam chickens. Compared to other bantam breeds, they are not great egg layers.
Read More – Do Chickens Drink Water at Night? Or Do They Wait Until Morning?
Cochin Bantams
| Average Size: | Less than 2 pounds |
| Temperament: | Broody |
| Egg Production: | Up to 160 per year |
| Meat Quality: | Decent |
The Cochin bantam chicken is originally from China and is also known as Pekin bantams. They have become a popular choice of chicken in the United States because of their productive egg-laying. The reason is that they are broody mothers.
They come in several colors, like buff, golden laced, barred, white, mottled, black, and red.
Read More – Do Chickens Eat Maggots? Or Not?
Small Black Chicken Breeds
Rosecomb Bantams
| Average Size: | Less than 2 pounds |
| Temperament: | Nervous, flighty, and shy |
| Egg Production: | Around 50 per year |
| Meat Quality: | Minimal |
Rosecomb bantams make excellent ornamental chickens. But – they are not ideal for novice chicken keepers! The problem? Rosecomb bantams can get flighty. For that reason, we recommend that you have a super-secure enclosure for them to enjoy.
They are not great egg layers. However, they make fantastic show birds.
Belgian d’Anvers
| Average Size: | Less than 2 pounds |
| Temperament: | Gentle and curious but sometimes aggressive |
| Egg Production | Up to 160 eggs per year |
| Meat Quality: | Minimal |
The Belgian d’Anvers get commonly raised as ornamental birds. They are originally from Belgium, hence their name. With humans (and children), this breed of bantam chicken is markedly friendly. However, the roosters can sometimes be dominant amongst their flock.
They come in various colors, including splash, black, porcelain, and mottled. They can be noisy, so they might not be the best option for being raised in a city.
Maran Bantam
| Average Size: | Between 1.5 and 2 pounds |
| Temperament: | Outgoing but sometimes feisty |
| Egg Production: | Up to 150 brow eggs per year |
| Meat Quality: | Average |
These are small birds that have a big personality. Their feisty personality means that they might not be the best with other bantam breeds, but they are happy in a flock amongst themselves. They are satisfied in smaller spaces, but make sure your enclosure is tall enough or has a roof because Maran bantam chickens are known to fly!
Small Brown Chicken Breeds
Rhode Island Red Bantam
| Average Size: | Between 1.5 and 2 pounds |
| Temperament: | Mild, curious but sometimes bossy |
| Egg Production: | Up to 250 eggs per year |
| Meat Quality: | Average |
The Rhode Island Red bantam gets its name from its brick red color. They are one of the most successful bantam breeds in the world. They are excellent for laying eggs. Healthy hens can produce between 200 and 300 eggs per year!
Old English Game Bantam
| Average Size: | Between 1.5 and 2 pounds |
| Temperament: | Energetic, active, and noisy |
| Egg Production: | Between 160 and 180 per year |
| Meat Quality: | Average |
Old English bantam chickens are great foragers. For that reason, despite their small size, they prefer a larger space to roam. Old English roosters tend to be protective of their flock. Old English hens get along with other chickens but can also be protective of their young.
Cubalaya Bantam
| Average Size: | Between 1 and 2 pounds |
| Temperament: | Friendly and loveable |
| Egg Production: | Between 200 and 250 eggs per year |
| Meat Quality: | Average |
The Cubalaya bantam chicken is the result of crossing Cuban, European and Filipino chicken bloodlines. Historically, the Cubalaya bantam was double-purpose chicken popularized for its egg-laying and meat.
Unfortunately, the standard version of this chicken breed was also famous for game fighting. Due to their specialized lineage, these bantam chickens tend to be hard to find. This bantam is known for its glamorous lobster tail.
Nankin Bantam
| Average Size: | About 2 pounds |
| Temperament: | Docile and easy to train |
| Egg Production: | About 100 eggs per year |
| Meat Quality: | Poor |
The Nankin bantam chicken is a good choice for novice chicken raisers. The reason being is they are very docile and easy to train. For that reason, they are also fantastic for teaching children how to act around and handle domesticated chickens.
They have a classic look, with brownish-red coloring and black tails. They are some of the oldest, most reliable bantam chicken breeds you can work with and host.
Buff Orpington Bantam
| Average Size: | Between 1 and 3 pounds |
| Temperament: | Friendly and docile |
| Egg Production: | About 150 eggs per year |
| Meat Quality: | Minimal |
The Buff Orpington is known for its straw-colored or buff-colored feathers, white legs, and slightly pink beaks. Even though they are considered a bantam breed, the Buff Orpington chickens can grow to weigh upwards of three pounds.
These bantam chickens are perfect for egg-laying. They rarely get raised for their meat. Buff Orpington hens go broody and make good mothers if given time. They are also one of the more affordable breeds, making them economical for chicken raisers.
Dutch Bantams
| Average Size: | Less than 20 ounces |
| Temperament: | Nervous and shy, but friendly |
| Egg Production: | About 100 per year |
| Meat Quality: | Poor |
Despite being nervous, some Dutch bantam chickens can be very friendly. Because of their shyness, we recommend you are gentle and patient when interacting with them. Try not to startle them unnecessarily!
They are true bantams and come in ranging colors like blue-golden, golden duckwing, cuckoo, and partridge. They are decent layers but even better setters and protective mothers. Because these chickens only have a single comb, they are not the most cold-hardy.
Buff Brahma Bantams
| Average Size: | Less than 3 pounds |
| Temperament: | Active and friendly |
| Egg Production: | Less than 100 per year |
| Meat Quality: | Minimal |
The Buff Brahma bantams are not the best at laying eggs. For that reason, they commonly get raised as show birds. They also make for great pets because they are friendly with children. They are hardy chickens and are good at withstanding cold and heat.
Buff Braham bantams have feathered feet, are buff-colored, and have a unique black ridge along the neck, tail, and wing-tips.
Booted Bantam
| Average Size: | Less than 2 pounds |
| Temperament: | Calm and docile |
| Egg Production: | Between 150 and 180 white eggs per year |
| Meat Quality: | Minimal |
The Booted Bantam chicken, also known as the Sablepoot, is one of the oldest and rarest varieties of bantam chicken. They are a true-bantam breed, meaning that they do not have a standard size counterpart. They get their name from the long feathers covering their feet and hocks. In Dutch, these are called sabels, hence their fascinating name.
Small Gray Chicken Breeds
Sebright Bantam
| Average Size: | Less than 2 pounds |
| Temperament: | Friendly, energetic, and chatty |
| Egg Production: | Around 160 eggs per year |
| Meat Quality: | Minimal |
This first breed of bantam chicken got bred and named by Sir John Saunders Sebright in the 1800s. (I’m not sure if he’s related to Colonel Sanders.) It is a true bantam breed with no full-size counterpart. The Sebright bantam is known for being low maintenance.
Because of their attractive colors, they make for popular show birds. But they also are excellent for laying eggs. Sebright bantams are a popular choice for homesteaders will children due to their friendly temperament.
Light Sussex
| Average Size: | Between 1.5 and 2 pounds |
| Temperament: | Confident, curious and friendly |
| Egg Production: | About 250 large eggs per year |
| Meat Quality: | Average |
The Light Sussex bantam chicken is one of the most attractive miniature small chicken breeds. Plus, they tend to have an outgoing personality. These birds have white and gray feathering. They are one of the best breeds for their egg-laying purposes. So if you want a pretty chicken and tons of delicious eggs, the Light Sussex is the chicken for you.
Silkie
| Average Size: | Between 2 and 3 pounds |
| Temperament: | Easy to train and docile |
| Egg Production: | Up to 120 eggs per year |
| Meat Quality: | Popular in Asia, but not typically raised for meat |
The Silkie is one of the most popular small chicken breeds – and for good reasons! They are insanely cute and fluffy. Because of their great looks, they are one of the most chosen ornamental bantam breeds in the United States. They come in many colors, including gray and white. They are great for laying eggs and are fantastic mothers. They will even sit on eggs that are not theirs.
More Small Chicken Breed Information
Now that you know about some of our favorite miniature chicken breeds, we imagine you might have some additional questions. Keep reading for more small chicken breed information.
A chicken’s breed plays a vital role in how long it will live. However, other factors help determine the lifespan of chickens, such as diet, access to veterinary care, and living conditions.
On average, chickens live between five and ten years. Production breeds of chicken, those getting raised for their meat or eggs, typically have the shortest life span.
Production breeds mature the quickest to fulfill their purpose and live shorter lives. The short lives of production breeds (egg-laying chickens) are due to the stressors that come with frequent egg production.
Bantam chickens come in all shapes and sizes, depending on the breed. However, bantam chickens typically range between one and three pounds.
The Malaysian Serama bantam chicken is the smallest in the world. This breed of bantam chicken was made possible by crossing Japanese bantams with Malaysian bantams.
Malaysian Serama chickens typically weigh less than 500 grams. When they are full-grown, they are only 15 to 25 centimeters tall.
Typically, the size of a chicken’s eggs is relevant to the size of the chicken. A good rule of thumb is that the smaller the chicken, the smaller the eggs.
Therefore, miniature chicken breeds and true-bantam chickens will lay the smallest eggs. The Polish and Sultan miniature chicken breeds are most notable for their smaller egg sizes.
Read More – Are You Overfeeding Your Chickens? Read Our Chicken Feeding Guide!
Best Chicken Books for Tiny Chickens – or Any Chickens!
Raising chickens is a lot of work! It’s even more stressful these days when the cost of everything keeps ticking upward.
(Even if you get a mini chicken!)
We put together the following list of the best books for new chicken parents, farmers, and ranchers.
We hope the following resources empower you to raise a breathtaking flock – no matter the stature of your birds.
We wish you luck – and may they find you well.
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$7.99Get More InfoRaising chickens is a lot of work - especially if you don't have much practice. There are too many questions that need answers! What should you do when your chickens first arrive? And - what happens if your birds have trouble laying eggs? What about chicken breeds? Which is the best for new chicken farmers?
If these questions race through your mind whenever planning a chicken coop - then Chris Lesley's book is perfect for you. Chris helps new chicken farmers raise their flock confidently and clearly. The reviews for the book are also excellent - perfect for anyone who wants a helpful handbook for raising a happy and healthy chicken flock.
PAID LINK - We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
11/05/2024 08:38 pm GMT -
$8.99Get More InfoAre you dedicated to raising happy birds? Then this book is a great all-in-one resource. Author Otis Banks wants to show you how to host a hygienic, healthy, and productive chicken coop. From scratch! Imagine if you had rapport - and a good relationship with your flock. This book endeavors to teach you how. A tall task - we admit.
You'll also discover everything beginners need to raise a chicken flock - such as preparing for your new birds, choosing the best breed, the best feed, and tons more. Otis also shares his best insights for chicken egg collecting - plus a few nuances that many chicken ranchers may overlook.
PAID LINK - We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
11/05/2024 10:17 pm GMT -
$8.99Get More InfoNew to chickens? Start here! It's an excellent reference for new chicken raisers who want to learn everything about raising birds - from egg to chicken. Author Anne Kuo helps start your flock from scratch and shares valuable insights about coop construction.
Anne also dives deep into vital details like chicken brooder setup, chicken plant toxicity, egg hatching, chicken health tips, rooster dynamics, pecking order - plus tons more. Anne also shares how to raise your baby chickens confidently (great for beginners) - while keeping them safe from wily predators.
PAID LINK - We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
11/05/2024 03:38 pm GMT -
$15.00Get More InfoAuthor Kimberley Willis wrote one of the best guides for chicken raisers who want to study and learn about hosting a flock safely and without fuss. The book gently walks new chicken farmers into introductory topics that all homesteaders need to know about raising their coop - ranging from purchasing your chickens to chicken biology.
The author also talks about advanced chicken raising topics that all homesteaders should know - like chicken feed grit, chicken diseases, chicken coop construction, and modern urban farming trends. Plus - lots more.
PAID LINK - We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
11/06/2024 03:38 am GMT -
$3.99Get More InfoNeed a bite-size book about backyard chickens? Emily Schafer's book is about raising backyard chickens - and you can finish the read in an afternoon. It's perfect for any homesteader thinking about raising chickens - or in the beginning processes of raising them. It's not as detailed (or as long) as other chicken-raising books - and instead focuses primarily on backyard chickens.
The book also discusses the benefits of backyard chickens - so it's also a great reference if you're on the edge of building a coop - or need the motivation to start! The author also writes about more topics such as chicken hatchery management, temperature management, chicken raising FAQs, chicken breeds, and more.
PAID LINK - We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
11/05/2024 11:42 pm GMT -
$5.99Get More InfoWant a diverse farming, gardening, and homesteading foundation? Then consider raising goats and bees in addition to your chickens! Small Footprint Press wants to show you how. Their book contains a homesteading wealth of information perfect for any rancher or gardener who wants to get the most from their land.
PAID LINK - We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
11/06/2024 01:47 am GMT -
$6.97Get More InfoIs the cost of eggs going up at your local supermarket? If so - then imagine if you never had to pay for eggs. Ever again?! That's what author Daniel A. Hart wants to show you. Daniel's book contains tips perfect for setting up your coop from scratch. The book takes you on a journey - from chicken farming newbie to guru.
You'll start by building a solid and reliable henhouse enclosure to keep your birds safe. You'll then discover how to build a cozy coop - fit with chicken bedding, nesting boxes, and watering stations. Your chickens will live a happy life! And they will eat plenty of nutritious feed. They will also reward your efforts with loads of fresh eggs. It's worth the effort!
PAID LINK - We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
11/05/2024 03:58 pm GMT
Conclusion
The fallbacks from raising miniature chicken breeds are few and far between. When it comes to raising chickens at home, they are an excellent option for many reasons.
Small chicken breeds require less space. So if you have limited space in the backyard, you can still effectively and humanly raise them. Small chickens eat less, so you spend less money on feed. They are docile, friendly creatures ideal for family environments with children.
Yes, their eggs come out smaller than the eggs of full-sized chickens. However, they are equally as delicious and nutritious as heftier chicken eggs. So what are you waiting for, huh? It’s time to raise some miniature chickens!
Also – if you have questions about miniature chickens? Feel free to ask!
We love raising animals of all types – and value your feedback, stories, and experiences.
Thanks for reading.
Have a great day!
