What is the benefit of bantam chickens?

[AmyRey]

The eggs are smaller. I can't imagine they'd be much good for meat.

Surely, there's an advantage to having a tiny chicken that I'm not thinking of.

 

[shelleyb1969]

1) They eat 1/3 less than a standard size bird, so you can have more of them.

2) The just plain cuteness factor. Standard birds can be very "nice" to look at, but generally aren't classified as "cute".

3) Depending on the breed, some bantams are quite tasty.

 

[Attack Chicken]

Lots of things

1. their cute
2. you can have more of them
3. many standards come in a bantam variety
4. unlike my LF my bantams don't go visiting neighbors yards
5. great hit with smaller kids and 4-Hers
6. depending on the bird easier to hold/handle
7. Lots of bantams go broody = more chicks lol
and theres lots more but I'm sure more people will chime in

AC

 

[Junkmanme]

Personal Opinion:

IF your objective is simply EGGS and MEAT, as is my "Principal Objective",.....There is NO BENEFIT in having Bantam Chickens.

-Junkmanme-

 

[AmyRey]

Quote:
Okay - see - that's a practical reason. I'll buy that.

Any others?

PS: I am neither in support of/nor opposed to bantams over standards. Just curiously wondering.

 

[SilverPhoenix]

Depends what you want chickens for.

I keep my chickens for pets and I don't care about the eggs and certainly not meat, so the advantages are:

Small, cute, friendly, live longer, can keep more in coop, come in more colors and varieties, I like how they look better, easier to hold, eat less, frequently go broody...and so on!

 

[babymakes6]

Smaller=MORE!

The eggs are smaller, but they are perfectly sized for children!

My children love my chickens-I have LF (Orps) and Bantam (Silkies) together, and the Silkies are the perfect size and temperament for the children to hold and play with! Not only that, but Silkies only come in bantam size (or a little larger sometimes, but not as large as LF).

 

[schellie69]

I think most use some bantam breeds for broody;s I have them because they are really cool The eggs are smaller but just need to use a couple extra that is all. They do take up less space so you could have more in less space.

 

[Judy]

Several large fowl breeds (see Henderson's) tend to go broody so if you have enough of them you are likely to get a broody or two. Orps and I believe Cochins fit this category. Kraienkoppes are classified large fowl and are very broody -- they are similar in body shape and size to a Leghorn and mine, at least, ate less than the bigger girls.

 

[BooBear]

I think it is a preference thing. Also, if you have space issues bantams make the perfect choice.
They taste as good as big chickens, the eggs are just as good; so you would just have to double up on some recipes.
They are so cute you can't help wanting to cuddle them. (My Silkies boys love to be near me just hate it when I cuddle them though).
It is so adorable to have a tiny chicken that thinks it is a giant chicken.
I have both LF and bantams. I enjoy both.