Bantam Chickens

Pima County 4-H Poultry Project proudly encourages our exhibitors to explore bantam chickens! With so many breeds to choose from, these small birds make an excellent choice for showmanship and have a rich history throughout the world.

Bantam chickens are miniature versions of standard (large fowl) breeds or naturally small breeds with no large counterpart. On average, they are about one-fifth to one-fourth the size of large fowl. Despite their small size, bantams are full of personality and often easier to handle, making them especially ideal for younger exhibitors or those just starting in poultry.

Click the link to visit the American Bantam Association (ABA) website. We recommend purchasing the ABA Book of Standards to learn all about the bantam breed you choose. During poultry showmanship, exhibitors can be asked about numerous facts, birds, breeds, standards, defects, disqualifications (DQs), and more from the standards book!

Make sure to click the link to see the ABA’s recognized breeds and varieties.

Need help getting started? We’ve included some helpful links below for guidance on raising chickens—from care and housing to feed and health—and there are many more great resources available online and through your local 4-H leaders. Don’t hesitate to explore and ask questions!