As The Country Smallholder magazine launches its dedicated new ‘Bantam World’ section, Cara Wheeldon shares her experiences with these magical little birds.

It was around ten years ago when our family first invested in a group of hybrid chickens (after spending hours in the backyard helping to design the perfect run) that marked the beginning of my journey with poultry.

About a year later, my persistent and, I must say, rather annoying requests to own bantam chickens were answered when my mum finally caved in, and not only did we get our very own bantam chucks, but after more begging and I imagine a few tears, she also let me pick out my very first cockerel. I know not many people beg to own one of these crowing creatures, but I could not have been more excited! I picked out two girls and my first ginger boy (a baby Serama), who I named Elijah.

From there, it was game over for me. I imagine not many people know this, but with a bit of time, patience, and a whole lot of resilience, you can teach your bantams to fly onto your arm on command. I would sit in our dining room, where these little scrawny pullets were living momentarily, and hold out my arm, just hoping to have my very own little parrot companion.

It was at this moment, having a small cockerel perched on my shoulder just chatting away about his day, that my fascination with these miniature breeds truly began. What started out for us as just three bantam birds has evolved massively overtime. We now own close to 40 miniature birds in a range of different breeds, colours and temperaments.

From those who will sit on your knee to have a conversation to those who enjoy nothing more than causing trouble in the backyard, there really is a huge personality difference in each bird you own.

Bantams have a special place in my heart for many reasons. They are incredibly charming, easy to handle, and full of personality. Despite their small size, they bring so much joy and vibrancy to any flock. They are great for small spaces, perfect for those with limited room, and their care is often more manageable than larger breeds.

For me, keeping bantams is not just a hobby; it is a passion that brings daily delight and a lot of mental healing.

Why are bantams so great?
Besides their endearing personalities, bantams are excellent foragers. Fantastic layers of small but delicious eggs and their variety of breeds mean there is a perfect bantam for everyone. Their small size makes them ideal for children to handle, and their unique characteristics can make even the most seasoned poultry keeper fall in love all over again. Bantams bring diversity, beauty, and a touch of magic to the backyard.

This article extract was taken from the October 2024 edition of The Country Smallholder, featuring the inaugural ‘Bantam World’ section, with information, hints and tips on all things bantam. You can buy the full issue here.

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