Silkie
The Silkie (or Silky) takes its name from its unique plumage, which is said to feel like silk. They are also unusual for having dark blue flesh and bones, blue earlobes, and five-toed feet. They come in several colors, including black, blue, white, partridge and red. They are very docile and are an ideal pet. Hens are also very broody, and make good mothers; they are commonly used to hatch eggs from other breeds and bird species.

Sussex
Developed in the 1920s, the Sussex bantam is approximately a quarter of the size of the large fowl variety. They are available in most of the same colours and are good layers of smaller eggs.

Rhode Island Red [Bantam]
The Rhode Island Red Bantam also originates to the period of the early 1920s; the strain was developed by crossing large fowl Single Comb Rhode Island Reds with old English Game, Cochin and Wyandotte bantams. They are good layers of brown eggs and the eggs will hatch well.

Pekin
The Pekin is a breed of bantam thought to have originated from the collection of the Emperor of China. Shorter than the ordinary bantam, they are often only 20-30 cm tall; they also have feathered legs and feet. They come in many colours, including black, white, buff and lavender. Pekin Bantams hens are very docile, and with regular handling are happy to be stroked, so make ideal pets for families with children.

Wyandotte
The bantam Wyandotte was developed in the USA from the large fowl version, so is not a true bantam breed. There are more than two dozen colours including Barred, Black, Blue Laced, Buff Laced, Gold Laced and Silver Laced, although many of the colour variations are rare. All bantam Wyandottes have yellow legs and beaks. They are docile, friendly and easy to tame; they are not prone to flying. Hens may lay tinted eggs a year and are reliable broodies that make good mothers.