Description
Ginger Red Old English Bantam Chicken
Breed Overview and Origin
The Ginger Red Old English Bantam chicken is a miniature Old English Game variety known for its warm red coloring, small size, tame potential, and classic show-bird style. If you want a bantam that looks sharp in the show pen but still fits nicely in a small backyard flock, this variety makes a strong choice.
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. Cackle Hatchery’s True Bantam Chicken Breeds guide helps customers understand that difference.
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 size, Ginger Red Old English Bantams need less feed and space than standard-size chickens. Even so, they still need secure housing, predator protection, good ventilation, and steady handling if you want them to become comfortable around people.
Appearance and Characteristics
Ginger Red Old English Bantams have warm red feathering that gives them a bright, polished appearance. Their color makes them stand out among other Old English Game Bantam varieties, especially in a mixed bantam flock or exhibition pen.
Like other Old English Game Bantams, this variety has a compact body, alert posture, clean legs, and classic game-bantam type. The small frame makes them practical for bantam coops and show cages. However, these active little birds still need enough room to move, perch, scratch, and stay engaged.
Cackle Hatchery® includes Ginger Red in the Old English Game Bantam Baby Chick Special, which may include Ginger Red, Silver Duckwing, Spangled, White, Blue, Black, Mille Fleur, Crele, Self Blue, Wheaten, Splash, Black Breasted Red, Brown Red, Barred, Brassy Back, Golden Duckwing, or Red Pyle, depending on what hatches.
Since they are small, Ginger Red Old English Bantams need reliable predator protection. A secure coop, safe run, and well-planned fencing help protect them from hawks, cats, raccoons, and other threats.
Ginger Red Old English Bantam vs Other Old English Bantams: How to Choose
Ginger Red Old English Bantams share the same miniature Old English Game type as other varieties. The main difference is color.
Choose Ginger Red Old English Bantam if you want a small show bantam with warm red feathering, tame potential, active personality, and classic Old English Game character.
Choose Black Old English Bantam chickens if you prefer solid black plumage. Cackle’s Black Old English Bantam notes explain that some white juvenile feathers can appear in early feathering but should turn solid black by about 6 months.
Choose Blue Old English Bantam chickens if you prefer blue-tinted or slate-blue plumage. 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 Brassy Back Old English Bantam chickens if you like black-and-gold feathering with a bold show look.
Choose Crele Old English Game Bantam chickens if you prefer colorful crele feathering. 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 Ginger Red 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
Ginger Red Old English Bantams serve mainly as ornamental, pet, and exhibition chickens. Customers should choose them for small size, show potential, personality, and warm coloring rather than heavy egg production.
Hens may lay small white, cream, or tinted eggs. However, Old English Game Bantams do not rank as production layers. One bantam breed reference describes Old English Game Bantams as exhibition-focused birds with moderate production of small cream to tinted white eggs.
Because these are bantams, they also do not serve as meat birds. Instead, their value comes from exhibition appeal, pet potential, small-flock enjoyment, and the pleasure of keeping a lively miniature chicken.
Temperament and Suitability
Ginger Red Old English Bantams are usually tame, active, and easy to enjoy with regular handling. The original Cackle Hatchery® description notes that they get along well with other chickens and people of all ages, which makes them appealing for customers who want a small, personable bird.
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 warm red 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, Ginger Red Old English Bantams shine when customers want a small, attractive, show-type bird with plenty of character.
Is the Ginger Red Old English Bantam Chicken Right for Your Flock?
Choose Ginger Red Old English Bantam chickens if you want:
- A miniature Old English Game chicken
- A small show bantam with ginger-red coloring
- 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 strong color and personality
However, consider another breed if you want steady egg production, a meat bird, or a very low-energy flock companion. In short, Ginger Red 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 both standard and bantam Old English Game options. The related Ginger Red Standard Old English chickens page gives customers a larger version to compare if they like the Ginger Red color but want a standard-size bird.
For customers who enjoy heritage-style exhibition poultry, Ginger Red 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 Cackle Hatchery® description notes that several Old English Bantam varieties have entered the American Standard of Perfection across different decades, which helps explain the breed group’s continued popularity with show-focused bantam keepers.
Cackle Hatchery® lists Ginger Red Old English Game Bantams as baby chicks only, with no sexing available. 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 Ginger Red and many other color varieties depending on the hatch.
Related Breeds and Helpful Cackle Hatchery® Resources
Customers who like Ginger Red 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 Ginger Red, Brown Red, Brassy Back, Blue, Black, White, Spangled, Crele, Mille Fleur, Self Blue, Wheaten, Splash, Black Breasted Red, Golden Duckwing, and many other varieties.
Helpful Cackle Hatchery® links for this product page include:
FAQ: Ginger Red Old English Bantam Chicken
What is a Ginger Red Old English Bantam chicken?
A Ginger Red Old English Bantam chicken is a miniature Old English Game variety with warm ginger-red feathering, small size, active character, and strong exhibition appeal.
Are Ginger Red 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 color eggs do Ginger Red Old English Bantams lay?
Ginger Red Old English Bantam hens may lay small white, cream, or tinted eggs. However, customers should choose this breed mainly for show, pets, and ornamental value rather than egg production.
Are Ginger Red Old English Bantams good egg layers?
No. Ginger Red 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 Ginger Red Old English Bantams friendly?
Yes, Ginger Red Old English Bantams can become tame with regular gentle handling. The original Cackle Hatchery® description notes that they get along well with people of all ages.
Are Ginger Red 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 Ginger Red Old English Bantams good for children or 4-H?
Yes, Ginger Red Old English Bantams can work well for 4-H and youth exhibition projects when children receive guidance. Their small size, tame potential, and show-bird type make them appealing bantams.
Are Ginger Red 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 Ginger Red Old English Bantams cold hardy?
Ginger Red 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 Ginger Red 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 Ginger Red 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 Ginger Red Old English Bantams get?
Ginger Red 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 Ginger Red Old English Bantams good for showing?
Yes. Ginger Red Old English Bantams make excellent show birds because of their small size, warm red feathering, alert posture, and classic Old English Game type.
What is the difference between Ginger Red Old English Bantam and Ginger Red Standard Old English?
Ginger Red Old English Bantams are the miniature version. Ginger Red Standard Old English chickens are larger standard-size birds with related Old English Game character and ginger-red coloring.
What is the difference between Ginger Red Old English Bantam and Brown Red Old English Bantam?
Ginger Red Old English Bantams have warmer ginger-red coloring. Brown Red Old English Bantam chickens have a deeper brown-red color pattern.
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 Ginger Red, Brown Red, Brassy Back, Blue, Black, White, Spangled, Crele, Mille Fleur, Silver Duckwing, and many other varieties.
Where can I check Ginger Red 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.
pcjethro –
I bought three colors of OEGB (Silver Duckwing, Spangled, and Ginger).
The chicks arrived in 2 days. I ordered 16 and received 3 extra (in generous consideration if any didn’t survive), making 19 chicks total. 5 weeks later, only 1 chick died, so I consider this a great survival rate.
Their colors look great and I look forward to seeing their full feathering. So far we seem to have more hens than roosters, so we got lucky.
The chicks have been very friendly and we have really enjoyed them. They run right up to our hands and are obsessed with perching on us—they just jump right up on your arms and shoulders!
The first few weeks, they were very easy to handle and cuddle. 5 weeks later, they are still very friendly but more spirited and want to perch on us rather than be overly handled.
I’m happy with them and would recommend Cackle Hatchery.
juliespore –
I have 4 little ginger red chicks and I can’t wait to see them all grown up. They are the friendliest and most adventurous chicks in my brooder so far, and always the first to try and perch on your shoulder or jump out. Very sweet, confident little birds and I can’t wait to see how they look as adults
juliespore –
I have 4 little ginger red chicks and I can’t wait to see them all grown up. They are the friendliest and most adventurous chicks in my brooder so far, and always the first to try and perch on your shoulder or jump out. Very sweet, confident little birds and I can’t wait to see how they look as adults
Kevin –
Ginger Red Old English game bantams
I’ve loved this variety of Oegb since I was a child. My chicks I ordered from Cackle grew up to be some of the most beautiful Ginger Reds I’ve ever had. Every day I enjoy my beautiful flock of Gingers from Cackle. More people should raise this variety of Old English and discover how rewarding it is to raise them. Thanks Cackle Hatchery for sending me such great chicks and for your superb customer service.
Kyler –
Good
These are by far the nicest breed of Chickens I’ve had. The roosters don’t get mean like other roosters. They come right up to me. Best breed of chicken 10/10
Dailla –
These are the friendliest birds!
They are pretty, active and smart. A hen flies to me for treats. The roos didn’t get aggressive like other breeds I’ve had. My favorite little ones!
Joseph January 2016 –
Thank You
I want to thank you for my bantam old english chickens. I have never had chicks that love me so much. I treat them as though they are my children. They like to be held and kissed. I really love them. Thanks again. If I need more I will order from you folks again.