Self Blue Old English Game Bantam
Breed Facts
- Poultry Show Class: Game Bantams (All Colors)
- Weights: Hen ——-22 oz Rooster—-24 oz
- Pullet——20 oz Cockerel—22 oz
- Purpose and Type: Ornamental; Exhibition
- Egg Shell Color: Cream or Tinted Bantam Sized Egg
- Egg Production: Poor
- Egg Size: Small
- Temperament: Active
- Fertility Percentage: 40-55%
- Broody: Setters
- Mating Ratio: 9 Females to 1 Male
- Roost Height: 3+ feet
- Country of Origin: Europe
- APA: Yes, Recognized by the Standard of Perfection in 1965
- TLC: No
- Breeder Farm Source: Cackle Hatchery® Poultry Breeding Farm has been developing our bloodline or strain of pure Self Blue Old English Game Bantam since 1982.
Self Blue Old English Bantam Chicken
Breed Overview and Origin
The Self Blue Old English Bantam chicken is a miniature Old English Game variety known for its soft blue-lavender coloring, small size, tame potential, and classic show-bird style. If you want a bantam with a gentle-looking color and lively Old English Game character, this variety makes a beautiful choice for a small backyard flock, 4-H project, or exhibition pen.
Old English Game Bantams come from the larger Old English Game breed family. Unlike true bantams, which have no large-fowl counterpart, Old English Game Bantams are miniature versions of a standard-size breed. For comparison, Cackle Hatchery’s True Bantam Chicken Breeds guide helps customers understand the difference between naturally small true bantams and bantam versions of standard breeds.
Today, poultry keepers usually raise Old English Game Bantams for pets, 4-H, exhibition, hobby flocks, and ornamental enjoyment. In addition, Cackle Hatchery’s Bantam Chickens for Sale category explains that bantams are miniature chickens often kept for pets, showing, broody hens, and small backyard flocks where space is limited. Cackle also notes that bantams can be about one-third to one-fifth the size of standard chickens.
Because of their compact size, Self Blue Old English Bantams need less feed and space than standard-size chickens. Even so, they still need secure housing, predator protection, good ventilation, and regular gentle handling if you want them to become comfortable around people.
Appearance and Characteristics
Self Blue Old English Bantams have an even, soft blue-lavender color that gives them a refined and attractive look. Many poultry keepers use “self blue” to describe a smooth lavender-style shade rather than the variable blue color seen in blue, black, and splash breeding.
Like other Old English Game Bantams, this variety has a compact body, alert posture, clean legs, and confident game-bantam type. The small frame works well for bantam coops and show cages. However, these active little birds still need enough room to move, perch, scratch, and stay engaged.
Cackle Hatchery® lists Self Blue Old English Game Bantams among its bantam offerings, and the listing shows them as baby chicks with seasonal availability. Current hatch timing can change quickly during the season, so customers should always check availability before ordering.
For customers who enjoy variety, Cackle Hatchery’s Old English Game Bantam Baby Chick Special may include Self Blue along with Ginger Red, Silver Duckwing, Spangled, White, Blue, Black, Mille Fleur, Crele, Wheaten, Splash, Black Breasted Red, Brown Red, Barred, Brassy Back, Golden Duckwing, or Red Pyle, depending on what hatches.
Self Blue Old English Bantam vs Blue Old English Bantam: How to Choose
Self Blue Old English Bantams and Blue Old English Bantams sound similar, but the colors are different.
Choose Self Blue Old English Bantam if you want a small show bantam with a more even lavender-blue appearance, tame potential, and classic Old English Game character.
Choose Blue Old English Bantam chickens if you prefer blue-tinted or slate-blue feathering with more natural color variation. Cackle lists Blue Old English Game Bantams as baby chicks only, with no sexing available and seasonal shipping from early February through mid-August.
Choose Silver Duckwing Old English Game Bantams if you prefer a silver, black, and white duckwing pattern.
Choose Spangled Old English Game Bantam chickens if you prefer a showy speckled pattern.
Choose Crele Old English Game Bantam chickens if you want a colorful crele pattern. Cackle describes Crele Old English Game Bantams as small, tame bantams with pet or show appeal.
For customers who enjoy variety, the Old English Game Bantam Baby Chick Special can include Self Blue along with many other Old English Bantam varieties. As a result, that assortment works well for customers who like Old English Bantams but do not need one exact color.
Egg Production and Utility
Self Blue Old English Bantams serve mainly as ornamental, pet, and exhibition chickens. Customers should choose them for small size, show potential, personality, and attractive self blue coloring rather than heavy egg production.
Hens may lay small cream, white, or tinted eggs. However, Old English Game Bantams do not rank as production layers, and bantam eggs will be smaller than standard-size chicken eggs. Because of that, this variety works best for customers who want beauty, character, and show appeal instead of a steady egg basket.
These birds do not serve as meat chickens either. Instead, their value comes from exhibition appeal, pet potential, small-flock enjoyment, and the pleasure of keeping a lively miniature chicken.
Temperament and Suitability
Self Blue Old English Bantams are generally tame, active, and easy to enjoy with regular handling. The original Cackle Hatchery® description notes that they are easily tamable, which makes them appealing for customers who want a small bird with personality.
Even so, these are game-type bantams. Individual temperament can vary, and roosters may act more territorial during breeding season. For that reason, adults should supervise children when they handle any chicken, especially a rooster.
This variety can work well for:
- Poultry exhibitors
- Bantam hobby flocks
- 4-H and youth poultry projects with guidance
- Small backyard coops
- Families who want a small pet chicken
- Keepers who enjoy active, alert bantams
- Customers who want a lavender-blue show bantam
On the other hand, a different breed may suit you better if you mainly want heavy egg production, meat, or a very calm lap-style chicken. Overall, Self Blue Old English Bantams shine when customers want a small, attractive, show-type bird with plenty of personality.
Is the Self Blue Old English Bantam Chicken Right for Your Flock?
Choose Self Blue Old English Bantam chickens if you want:
- A miniature Old English Game chicken
- A small show bantam with self blue feathering
- A bird that can become tame with regular handling
- A compact chicken for a small backyard setup
- A bantam for exhibition, 4-H, or hobby flocks
- A breed with classic Old English Game character
- A small bird that uses less feed and space than standard chickens
- A showy variety included in Old English Bantam assortments
- A pet-style bantam with a soft lavender-blue look
However, consider another breed if you want steady egg production, a meat bird, or a very low-energy flock companion. In short, Self Blue Old English Bantams fit best with customers who enjoy bantams, show birds, and lively small chickens.
Breed History and Preservation
Old English Game chickens have a long history connected to old British and European game fowl. Over time, poultry fanciers preserved the breed type through exhibition, color breeding, and hobby flocks.
The bantam version became especially popular because it keeps the look and character of the larger Old English Game in a much smaller bird. As the breed developed, poultry breeders created numerous color varieties, which helped Old English Game Bantams become one of the most varied groups in exhibition poultry.
Cackle Hatchery® continues to offer many Old English Game Bantam colors, and the bantam category currently lists several varieties, including Self Blue, Black, Blue, Brown Red, Crele, Ginger Red, Golden Duckwing, Red Pyle, Silver Duckwing, Spangled, Splash, Wheaten, and White.
For customers who enjoy heritage-style exhibition poultry, Self Blue Old English Bantams offer more than small size. They also connect a backyard or show flock to a long tradition of game fowl type, bantam exhibition, and careful color breeding.
Recognition and Availability
Old English Game Bantams have a long-standing place in American poultry exhibition, with many recognized color varieties. The original description notes that several Old English Bantam varieties have entered the American Standard of Perfection, which helps explain the breed group’s popularity with show-focused bantam keepers.
Cackle Hatchery® lists Self Blue Old English Game Bantams among its bantam offerings, and current availability can vary by hatch date, season, egg numbers, and order timing. Since bantam breeds can sell quickly during peak chick season, customers should check the Chicken Availability Chart before ordering.
In addition, customers who want a mixed group of Old English Game Bantams can review the Old English Game Bantam Baby Chick Special, which may include Self Blue and many other color varieties depending on the hatch.
Related Breeds and Helpful Cackle Hatchery® Resources
Customers who like Self Blue Old English Bantams may also enjoy other Old English Game Bantams, standard Old English Game chickens, and small show bantam varieties. Start with Cackle Hatchery’s Bantam Chickens for Sale category to compare miniature chicken breeds, clean-legged bantams, feather-legged bantams, and exhibition options.
For customers who enjoy color variety, the Old English Game Bantam Baby Chick Special can include Self Blue, Ginger Red, Silver Duckwing, Spangled, White, Blue, Black, Mille Fleur, Crele, Wheaten, Splash, Black Breasted Red, Brown Red, Barred, Brassy Back, Golden Duckwing, Red Pyle, and other varieties based on what hatches.
Helpful Cackle Hatchery® links for this product page include:
- Old English Game Bantam Baby Chick Special
- Bantam Chickens for Sale
- Show Class Old English Bantam S/R Assortment
- Standard Old English Game for Sale
- Blue Old English Bantam chickens
- Black Old English Bantam chickens
- Silver Duckwing Old English Game Bantams
- Gold Duckwing Old English Game Bantams
- Red Pyle Old English Bantam chickens
- Ginger Red Old English Bantam chickens
- Brown Red Old English Bantam chickens
- Brassy Back Old English Bantam chickens
- White Old English Game Bantams
- Crele Old English Game Bantam chickens
- Spangled Old English Game Bantam chickens
- Wheaten Old English Game Bantam chickens
- Assorted Purebred Bantam Chicken Special
- Clean Leg Bantam Assortment Special
- Baby chicks for sale
- Chicken Breed Selector
- Chicken Breeds List Comparison Chart
- Chicken Availability Chart
FAQ: Self Blue Old English Bantam Chicken
What is a Self Blue Old English Bantam chicken?
A Self Blue Old English Bantam chicken is a miniature Old English Game variety with soft blue-lavender feathering, small size, tame handling potential, and strong exhibition appeal.
Are Self Blue Old English Bantams true bantams?
No. Old English Game Bantams are miniature versions of the Standard Old English Game chicken. True bantams have no large-fowl counterpart, but Old English Game Bantams do have a standard-size version.
What does self blue mean in chickens?
Self blue usually refers to an even lavender-blue feather color. Unlike regular blue coloring, which can vary more from bird to bird, self blue aims for a smoother, more uniform shade across the body.
What color eggs do Self Blue Old English Bantams lay?
Self Blue Old English Bantam hens may lay small cream, white, or tinted bantam-sized eggs. However, customers should choose this variety mainly for pets, show, and ornamental value.
Are Self Blue Old English Bantams good egg layers?
No. Self Blue Old English Bantams are not heavy egg layers. Even though hens may lay some small eggs, Old English Game Bantams serve mainly as exhibition and hobby birds.
Are Self Blue Old English Bantams friendly?
Yes, Self Blue Old English Bantams can become tame with regular gentle handling. The original Cackle Hatchery® description notes that this variety is easily tamable.
Are Self Blue Old English Bantams good for beginners?
They can work for beginners who understand bantam care and active game-type temperament. New keepers should provide secure housing, patient handling, and predator protection.
Are Self Blue Old English Bantams good for children or 4-H?
Yes, Self Blue Old English Bantams can work well for 4-H and youth exhibition projects when children receive guidance. Their small size, tame potential, and soft color make them appealing bantams.
Are Self Blue Old English Bantams good for free range?
They can enjoy outdoor time, but secure runs usually work better than open free range. Their small size makes predator protection especially important.
Are Self Blue Old English Bantams cold hardy?
Self Blue Old English Bantams can handle cool weather with a dry, draft-free coop and good ventilation. Like all small bantams, they need protection from wet bedding, harsh wind, and extreme weather.
Are Self Blue Old English Bantams heat tolerant?
They can do well in warm weather when keepers provide shade, ventilation, and cool clean water. During extreme heat, small bantams need close attention because they can stress quickly.
Do Self Blue Old English Bantams go broody?
Some Old English Bantam hens may show broodiness, but broodiness can vary by individual bird, age, season, and flock setup. Customers who mainly want broody hens should compare bantam breeds known more strongly for mothering behavior.
How big do Self Blue Old English Bantams get?
Self Blue Old English Bantams are small chickens. They stay much smaller than standard Old English Game chickens and fit well in bantam-friendly coops, small hobby flocks, and exhibition setups.
Are Self Blue Old English Bantams good for showing?
Yes. Self Blue Old English Bantams make attractive show birds because of their small size, even self blue feathering, alert posture, and classic Old English Game type.
What is the difference between Self Blue Old English Bantam and Blue Old English Bantam?
Self Blue Old English Bantams have a more even lavender-blue appearance. Blue Old English Bantam chickens have blue-tinted or slate-blue feathering that can vary more in shade.
Does Cackle Hatchery® offer other Old English Bantams?
Yes. Cackle Hatchery® offers multiple Old English Bantam varieties, and the Old English Game Bantam Baby Chick Special can include Self Blue, Ginger Red, Silver Duckwing, Spangled, White, Blue, Black, Mille Fleur, Crele, Wheaten, Splash, Black Breasted Red, Brown Red, Barred, Brassy Back, Golden Duckwing, Red Pyle, and other varieties based on what hatches.
Where can I check Self Blue Old English Bantam chick availability?
Customers can check Cackle Hatchery’s Chicken Availability Chart for current hatch and shipping timing. Bantam availability can change during the season, so checking the chart helps customers plan ahead.
Order from Cackle Hatchery
Choose Self Blue Old English Game Bantam from cackle hatchery. Review the product information above for current options, availability and ordering details.
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