From The Popular To The Rare Small Breeds From Around The World
Small chicken breeds can often be a very good choice for small homesteads and back yard environments. They don’t need as much feed, take less space and naturally don’t make as much of a mess as larger breeds.
Despite their short stature, some can be very productive egg layers or meat birds too. Others that are not good producers, can have very eye-catching plumages, making them great ornamental or show birds.
We take a look at 15 of the small chicken breeds out there, where they come from and how small they really are!
Small Chicken Breeds
Brahma Bantam Chicken
The Brahma Bantam chicken breed is a type of small chicken that is often referred to as the King of Poultry. This breed was developed in the United States from Chinese Langshan chickens, and was named after the Brahmaputra River in India.
The Brahma has a large, upright body and short legs; it stands approximately 20-25 inches tall. The Brahma’s feathers are long, soft, and glossy. They may be solid black or white, but they can also come in various shades of buff and blue. Their comb is medium to large in size and has five points.
This breed is known for its docile temperament and hardy nature; it can withstand cold temperatures and wet weather conditions. The Brahma Bantam is an excellent egg-layer, producing up to 150 eggs per year. They are also good foragers
- Weight: Rooster – 2.38 lbs, Hen – 2.13 lbs:
- Life Expectancy: Average 8 -10 Years, up to 15.
- Origins: China/Bangladesh stock – Bred in USA
Silkie Chicken
The Silkie chicken breed is a domesticated chicken that is named for its characteristic silky plumage. The downy undercoating of a Silkie’s feathers is so soft and silky that it feels like silk to the touch. This makes them very popular as pets and show birds.
They are a lightly built bird with a small head and a short, stout neck. They have blue earlobes and black skin. Their bones are also black, making them a true black chicken breed too. Their beak and legs are black too, or dark grey, depending on the color of their plumage.
- Weight: Rooster – 2.25 lbs, Hen – 2 lbs
- Life Expectancy: Average around 9 years
- Origins: Asia
Cochin Bantam (Pekin) Chicken
The Cochin Bantam chicken breed is a historically popular, small-sized poultry bird that has been kept by poultry enthusiasts for more than a century. This friendly and inquisitive breed sports an overall rounded shape, with a profusely feathered head, neck and body, as well as short legs with feathered feet.
It is an excellent cold-weather bird, as its thick feathering provides natural insulation. The Cochin Bantam is available in a variety of colors and patterns, including partridge, black, cuckoo, buff laced, white and blue.
- Weight: Rooster – 2 lbs, Hen – 1.75 lbs
- Life Expectancy: Average 5-8 Years
- Origins: China – Bred in the USA and Europe from the 1840’s
Belgian Bearded D’Uccle Chicken
The Belgian Bearded D’Uccle is a small breed of chicken known for its distinctive appearance. The breed is generally easy to recognize, with its feathers ranging in shades of black, blue, lavender, mille fleur (small flowers), porcelain, and cuckoo.
Its characteristic features include a fluffy crest, short legs, and a short, single comb. This breed is generally quite calm and docile, making them great yard chickens for families with children. They are also reasonably productive with egg laying.
- Weight: Rooster – 1.63 lbs, Hen – 1.38 lbs
- Life Expectancy: Average 8 Years
- Origins: Belgium – The town of Uccle
Booted Bantam (Sabelpoot) Chicken
The delightful “Sabel” breed of chicken, originating from the Netherlands, Belgium and also possibly Germany, is distinguished by its dainty hocks – referred to as vulture feathers in Dutch. With comparable weight but a slightly taller stature than those of Belgium’s D’Uccle chickens
The Sabelpoot (Booted) Bantam is a small breed with feathered legs and full tail. They can be found in a variety of colors, including black, white, blue, buff, cuckoo, and mille fleur. This breed has a single comb with five points which is usually upright or slightly drooping.
Sabelpoot Bantams are generally quite calm and docile, and can also be quite productive egg layers when kept in the right condition.
- Weight: Rooster – 1.63 lbs, Hen – 1.38 lbs
- Life Expectancy: Up to 10 Years
- Origins: Belgium/Germany
Rosecomb Bantam Chicken
The Rosecomb is a small breed of chicken, first developed in Germany during the 19th century. Though it was once a popular show bird, its popularity has decreased over the years due to its low egg-laying capacity. This small bird has some unique physical characteristics that make it easily distinguishable from other breeds.
Rosecombs have a distinctive rose-shaped comb. It is one of the few breeds where both roosters and hens have this type of comb.
Rosecombs are known to be curious and friendly birds that are easy to handle. They have a good temperament and can get along well with other birds in the flock.
- Weight: Rooster – 1.63 lbs, Hen – 1.38 lbs
- Life Expectancy: 4 to 8 Years
- Origins: United Kingdom/Germany
Sebright Chicken
One of the most popular true bantam, small chicken breeds is the Sebright chicken, which was developed in England in the early 19th century. Named after its developer, Sir John Saunders Sebright, this breed is often considered one of the most beautiful chicken breeds in the world.
The Sebright has a unique appearance and is easily recognizable by its strikingly shiny feathers with black lacing. The Sebright has a small frame, long legs and an upright stance. They have a good lifespan, living up to 10 years or more in optimal conditions.
Sebright chickens are generally very docile and friendly birds and make great pets or show chickens. They are also quite active, with a tendency to perch high on trees and fences. Sebrights are quite prolific egg layers, producing an average of 150 eggs per year. The eggs they lay tend to be small in size and white in color.
These chickens can also be very good at foraging, preferring grasses and weeds rather than grains or seeds as their main source of food.
- Weight: Rooster – 1.63 lbs, Hen – 1.38 lbs
- Life Expectancy: 4 to 8 Years on average, up to 10 years
- Origins: United Kingdom
Sultan Bantam Chicken
The Sultan is another popular small chicken breed, characterized by its regal bearing and majestic appearance. The Sultan was developed in Turkey during the 19th century and is known for its unique crest of feathers that give them a striking silhouette.
Aptly named, the Sultan has a large frame with long legs and a broad chest. They have an average lifespan of up to 8 years in optimal conditions.
In Turkey, Serai-Tavuk or “fowls of the sultan” have long been a sign of prestige and royalty. These birds were said to gracefully glide through the gardens at Constantinople providing company for Turkish royals throughout history.
- Weight: Rooster – 1.63 lbs, Hen – 1.38 lbs
- Life Expectancy: Average 5 to 8 years
- Origins: Turkey
Cubalaya Chicken
The Cubalaya chicken is a type of small-sized chicken breed that originated in Cuba. Characterized by its unique coloring and ‘lobster like’ tail’, the Cubalaya is an ornamental bird that thrives in large flocks and make excellent backyard pets. It is known for its hardy temperament, high egg production and low feed intake.
The Cubalaya has a single comb, bright red wattles and earlobes, and small beak. The breed is quite energetic and can get along well with other breeds of chickens.
Cubalaya is an incredibly versatile small chicken breed, suited to be used as a source of eggs, meat and game.
- Weight: Rooster – 1.63 lbs, Hen – 1.38 lbs
- Life Expectancy: 8 years on average
- Origins: Cuba
Barbu D’Anvers (Belgian) Chicken
The Belgian D’Anvers is a small chicken breed that originated in the Antwerp province of Belgium. They are considered to be true bantams, meaning that they do not have a large counterpart or non-bantam version. The Belgian D’Anvers is often referred to as the “king of bantams” due to its majestic size, striking colors and charming personality.
The breed is a good egg producer with an average of 120 eggs per year. The D’Anvers has a round body shape and relatively short legs compared to other bantams. They have an active nature and are known for their curiosity towards people as well as their alertness. Belgian D’Anvers come in multiple colors, with the most popular being black, blue, and silver-laced varieties.
- Weight: Rooster – 1.63 lbs, Hen – 1.38 lbs
- Life Expectancy: Average 6 to 8 years
- Origins: Belgium
Japanese Bantam Chicken
The Japanese Bantam, also known as the Chabo, is a small breed of chicken that originates from Japan. These birds are considered to be very popular in their native country as they are both attractive and unique.
They come in a variety of colors and patterns; however, the varieties with white earlobes are more common. These chickens are known for their small size, usually only reaching 8 inches in height. They are active and friendly birds, making them excellent pets or show birds.
- Weight: Rooster – 1.63 lbs, Hen – 1.38 lbs
- Life Expectancy: Average between 5 to 6 years, up to 13 years is possible
- Origins: Japan
Old English Game Chicken
The Old English Game chicken is a unique and beloved breed that originated in the United Kingdom. It has become a popular choice for backyard chicken keepers throughout the world, due to its hardiness and low maintenance needs.
The Old English Game chicken is known for its bright colors and distinctive patterns. The most common colors are black, white, blue, and red. The birds have a medium to large size for a bantam, with a broad back and full breast. They also tend to be quite active, so they are suited well for free-range flocks that have ample space to explore.
The Old English Game chicken is considered one of the best egg layers among all small chicken breeds. They produce large, white eggs with a rich flavor. The hens are also known for their broodiness, meaning they can successfully hatch and incubate their own eggs if given the chance.
- Weight: Rooster – 1.5 lbs, Hen – 1.38 lbs
- Life Expectancy: Average 15 years
- Origins: United Kingdom
Appenzeller Spitzhauben Bantam Chicken
The Appenzeller Bantam chicken is a rare and unique breed that originated in the Swiss Alps. It is one of the oldest known bantam chicken breeds in existence, having been around for hundreds of years. This charming and hardy bird is well-suited for small backyards, homesteads, and even urban environments due to its small size and low maintenance needs.
The Appenzeller Bantam chicken is known for its remarkable feathering patterns and colors, which include black, blue, white, and brown. They have a medium-sized body with a full breast and strong legs. They are active birds that enjoy having plenty of space to explore and forage.
They are not known for their broodiness like some other breeds and so may need help incubating their eggs if they are intended to hatch them.
- Weight: Rooster – 1.5 lbs, Hen – 1.25 lbs
- Life Expectancy: 5 to 8 years on average
- Origins: Switzerland
Dutch Bantam Chicken
The Dutch Bantam chicken is a small but sturdy breed of chicken that originated in the Netherlands. They are beloved for their good temperaments and ability to thrive in many different environments, including small backyards and urban spaces.
The Dutch Bantam chicken is known for its beautiful coloration, which can be black, white, or brown in color. They have a small body and very full breast, making them look quite stocky compared to other bantams.
Their most eye-catching feature is their bold and vivid single red comb with its five distinct points, paired with the noticeable white earlobes.
The birds are active and friendly, so they tend to do well in free-range flocks given ample space to explore.
- Weight: Rooster – 1.21 lbs, Hen – 0.99 lbs
- Life Expectancy: 4 to 8 years on average
- Origins: Netherlands
Serama Bantam Chicken
The Serama Bantam chicken is a unique and beautiful breed of chicken that originated in Malaysia. It is the smallest recognized breed of chicken in the world, making it an ideal choice for small backyards and urban homesteads.
These diminutive creatures, only 15-25 centimetres tall, are a cross between Japanese and Malaysian bantams.
The Serama Bantam chicken is known for its vibrant and colorful feathering, which usually includes red, black, and white. They have a very small body with an upright stance, giving them a statuesque appearance.
Unfortunately, the Serama Bantam chicken is not known as an excellent egg layer, but they make up for this with their good-natured personalities. They are also quite hardy and can withstand cold temperatures better than many other breeds.
- Weight: Rooster – 0.75 lbs, Hen – 0.69 lbs
- Life Expectancy: Average 7 years up to 10 years
- Origins: Malaysia
Facts About Small Chicken Breeds
- Small chicken breeds, such as the Cubalaya, Cochin Bantam and Silkie chickens are popular amongst backyard poultry enthusiasts for their pet-like qualities, hardy temperaments and beautiful feathering.
- Most bantam breed are friendly, like to be held, and make a good choice for small flocks with families that have children. They are not aggressive birds.