Sign in person Nous contacter

Detailed profile of this breed: origin, year of creation, recognised varieties and official approvals.

Summary of the breed

The Italian Bantam is a small, compact breed valued for its calm temperament and suitability for small living spaces. Typical weight: hen 0.55–0.75 kg; cock 0.80–1.0 kg. Yearly egg production ranges from 140–180 eggs, with eggs weighing about 22–26 g. Life expectancy is between 8–10 years with proper care. They combine ornamental appeal with reasonable productivity and are well suited to city gardens and backyard flocks.

Detailed origin

The Italian Bantam originated in Italy during the 19th century by crossing local bantams with imports and later refined in national show stock. The first official standard was published by Italian poultry associations in the 1920s, and the breed spread throughout Europe as a true backyard staple for smallholders and enthusiasts. It has multiple color varieties depending on line and breeder.

Detailed description

Physical description: stout, compact body with a short neck, clean lines and a balanced stance. The head is small, beak light, eyes dark, and a single comb with 3–5 points. Plumage is smooth and dense; legs are yellow to pale; wings lie snug against the body; males carry moderately longer tail and brighter pattern than females; overall silhouette is hens: rounder; both sexes feather well with a gentle luster.

Characteristic

Very docile and friendly, easy to handle for children and beginners. They are relatively quiet compared with larger breeds and adapt well to free-range or confined runs. They brood reliably and may sit on eggs if allowed; roosters are typically not aggressive when managed properly. They are suitable for show and ornament, as well as small backyard flocks.

What to know in breeding

Breeding tips: provide secure, draught-free housing with good ventilation. Space: around 0.3–0.5 m2 of coop floor space per bird and perches at 40–60 cm. Nest boxes for 4–5 birds; ensure dry bedding, clean water, and high-quality feed: chick starter 18–20% protein, layer feed after 18 weeks; provide grit; sun and shade; protection from predators; routine health checks; vaccination as recommended by local authorities; maintain a male-to-female ratio of about 1:5; manage incubation and hatching carefully; monitor moulting and feather development.

Country of origin: Italy

Breed created in 2021

Recognised varieties for this breed