Japanese bantam chicken: characteristics, temperament and breed information

The Japanese bantam chicken is a small breed known for its size, very short legs, large combs, and graceful curved tails. He is also known as Chabo, Shojo Chabo and Katsura Chabo. The word “chabo” in Japanese means bantam, dwarf or miniature.

As its name suggests, the “Japanese Bantam Chicken” is an Asian breed of chicken that originated in Japan. This is a true dwarf breed, which means there is no analogue of large wild birds, and it was never bred as a standard-sized chicken. This is an unusual breed and one of the few chicken breeds to be a true dwarf.

Now this breed of chickens is a purely decorative bird, loved by poultry farmers. And the breed is very popular. The American Bantam Association considers the Japanese bantam chicken breed to be one of the ten most popular of all breeds.

The breed was recognized and listed in the American Poultry Association’s Standard of Excellence in 1874.

Characteristics of Japanese bantam chicken

Miniature size, large combs, extremely short legs and graceful arching tails are the main characteristics of this breed of chickens. It has a large, straight tail that sits in front of the body, creating a V-shaped appearance.

The wings are held at a downward angle and are large. The wings combined with their short legs cause the wings to touch the ground. Their legs are yellow.

The comb, wattles, and earlobes of these chicks are usually large in males and medium in females. And they are all bright red or dark red. Their comb is unique, with five well-defined peaks that stand vertically.

Their eyes are dark brown or reddish bay and their beak is yellow. Their skin color is yellow. There are many colorful varieties of Japanese bantam chicken. But not all color varieties are recognized by the American Poultry Association.

The American Poultry Association recognizes several color varieties and these are; Black, Tabby, Red-Brown, Blacktail, White, Grey, Spotted, Wheat and White. There are also varieties of Japanese dwarf chicken with curly feathers and silky feathers.

On average, males weigh around 510-600 grams and females around 400-500 grams. Photo from Wikipedia.

Behaviour/Temperament

Japanese bantam chicken is an unusual decorative breed. It was originally considered an ornamental garden bird by the upper class of Japanese society. This breed of chicks can be difficult for novice poultry keepers due to its shape.

And this plumage is difficult to achieve and requires additional attention and care. The breed suffers from a lethal combination of genes that prevents 25% of chicks from hatching. Choosing a good type is not an easy task. Therefore, it is not recommended for beginners.

This breed of chicken is easy to tame, although the roosters can be aggressive. They are not hardy and can fly well. Chickens are good bait and excellent mothers.

Their chicks hatch after 20 days of incubation. The breed is not suitable for cold places. Because their large comb and earrings are prone to frostbite.

In winter, they should be kept in a dense, warm chicken coop with additional heating if necessary. It is generally a gentle bird and a good forager in hot, dry weather. Hens are poor laying hens. They lay a good amount of small eggs.

The Japanese bantam chicken is an ideal breed for people who love their lawns and gardens. Because it is a poor digger and its short legs prevent it from damaging the ground.

Japanese dwarf chicks should be kept in a very clean home as their wings touch the ground and can get dirty easily.

They make excellent pets and long-lived birds. The average lifespan of a Japanese bantam chicken with proper care can reach 13 years. See the full breed profile of the Japanese bantam chicken below.

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