How to Raise Bantam Chickens & Hens

Bantam Hens

Bantams are small-breed chickens, either those that have been bred that way from a standard-size breed or true bantams, which have no large counterparts. Bantams weigh 1 to 3 pounds, depending on breed, and are about a quarter of the size of standard chickens. Eggs are about half the size of the "large" eggs found at the grocery store. Bantams can be raised for show, as pets or for small-scale production of meat and eggs -- though some people consider them too cute to eat.

Things You'll Need

• Chicken coop
• Feeder
• Water supply

Instructions

1. Set up a chicken coop and run for your bantam birds. Since the chicks and pullets (young hens) are smaller than average birds, use a finer mesh wire for fencing and bury it several inches into the ground to prevent escaping chicks.

2. Place a chicken feeder in the pen, preferably under a small shelter so the grain stays dry in wet weather. Also include a 1-gallon water supply for every dozen bantam hens.

3. Place your bantam chickens and hens in your prepared pen. Make sure food and water dishes are full. Give them time to acclimate to the new environment; they may all huddle together for a while and take a few days before they explore their surroundings.

4. Secure the fowl in their hutch or coop every night to protect them from predators, such as raccoons and foxes. If you need to be gone during much of the day and frequently at night, add an electric wire at the top and bottom of the fence to keep wild animals at bay.

5. Allow the bantam hens access to fresh grass whenever possible, especially when they are laying eggs, as this improves the nutritional quality of their eggs.

6. Feed the hens extra calcium in the form of crushed oyster shell when they are laying eggs. They need the extra calcium to make egg shells.

Tips & Warnings

• In recipes, use two bantam eggs for every one chicken egg required.

• Watch out for chicken hawks if your birds' pen is in an open area without trees.

References

• "Bantams"; John L. Skinner, North Central Regional Extension; Undated