The smallest chicken breeds are Bantam and Pekin. The largest chicken breeds are the Jersey Giant and Brahma.
Chicken breeds come in all shapes, sizes, colors and personalities. Regardless of their size or shape, they all have one thing in common — they lay eggs! The breed that you choose will depend on your needs and desires. You may want your flock to produce meat or eggs, or you may simply want a smaller breed because they require less space to roam around.
Below is a list of the smallest chicken breeds:
Bantam – This breed is native to Asia and comes in many different varieties such as Golden Laced Wyandottes, Silkies, Polish and Orpingtons. These birds typically weigh between 1/2 – 3 pounds when full grown. They can be raised for meat or eggs but are not suitable for cold weather climates because they do not grow as large as other breeds and need extra protection from the elements during winter months.
Smallest Breeds Of Chickens
Pekin – This breed originated from China where it was used for food production by ancient Chinese people thousands of years ago. They were imported into America during the 1850’s and have been a popular choice amongst backyard farmers ever since due to their small size
The smallest breeds of chickens are the miniatures, which are bred to be kept in small spaces. They don’t grow as large as other breeds and have a different appearance. They have a long, straight back and legs, with a rounded body and pea comb. They’re also known for their egg-laying abilities and docile temperament.
The smallest breed is the Leghorn, which can weigh up to 3 pounds (1.4 kilograms). Other miniatures include the Plymouth Rock, Rhode Island Red and New Hampshire Red.
Some people prefer to raise bantam chickens because they’re easier to keep in an urban or suburban setting. Bantams are small chickens that weigh less than 2 pounds (0.9 kilograms). They come in many colors and varieties that include Araucanas (horns), Campines (feathered feet), Cochins (large head), Silkies (downy feathers) and Wyandottes (black skin).
The smallest breed of chicken is called the Pomeranian. It’s a tiny bantam breed that weighs less than 2 pounds. These birds are so small they require special housing to avoid being crushed by larger breeds.
The next smallest breed of chicken is the Silkie. Silkies are also bantams, but they weigh about 3 pounds and are referred to as “meat chickens” because they’re so small and easy to raise.
Some people think that because these breeds are so small, they make good pets for children or families with limited space. But this isn’t always true — especially if you want to raise them for eggs or meat production (which is probably why you’re interested in chickens in the first place!).
Here’s why:
Bantam vs. Standard Breed Chickens
If you’re looking for a small chicken, you’ve come to the right place! We have a wide selection of small breeds that are perfect for backyards and homesteads.
Our smallest chickens are the Sebright Bantam, Silkie Bantam, and Cochin Bantam. The Sebright is a good choice if you’re looking for a bird that lays eggs frequently, but isn’t too large or noisy. The Silkie and Cochin bantams are both docile little birds that are easy to handle.
We also have a few more exotic breeds that are great for small backyards, including the Jidori Marans and Araucana. The Jidori Marans is an all-around great choice if you want a dual purpose bird that lays hens eggs and makes delicious roast chicken! The Araucana was developed in Chile in the 19th century by crossing native Chilean chickens with imported breeds. It has an unusual blue skin coloration that makes it stand out from other breeds!
When choosing a backyard chicken breed, it is important to consider factors like egg production and temperament.
When selecting a hen, look for a bird that is alert, active and healthy. Hens with poor feather coverage, fluffed-out feathers or other physical abnormalities may be suffering from illness or injury.
Hens will lay eggs all year long in most climates, but there are certain breeds that will produce more eggs than others during certain seasons. For instance, Araucanas are known for laying blue eggs during the winter months when other breeds are not laying.
The following chart lists some of the smallest chicken breeds available:
Bantam: Buff Orpington Bantam (2 lbs.)
Large Fowl: Cochin Bantam (3 ½ lbs.)
Medium Fowl: Easter Egger Bantam (4 ½ lbs.)
Standard Fowl: Naked Neck Bantam (5 lbs.)