Perfectly prehistoric

With their sleek bodies, long legs, and inquisitive nature, Modern Game bantams look like tiny raptors roaming the backyard. But behind their striking appearance lies a confident, friendly breed full of personality. Cara Wheeldon finds out why these fascinating birds make such a captivating addition to the flock

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If ever a breed could bridge the gap between backyard poultry and prehistoric dinosaurs, it would be the Modern Game bantam. With their long legs, upright posture, and sleek feathers, these birds are often compared to mini-Velociraptors. But while they may look fierce, Modern Games are among the friendliest and most inquisitive bantams.

For Hannah Elton-Wall, a 41-year-old poultry keeper from Gloucestershire, it was this unique look that first drew her to the breed. “I love the link between chickens and dinosaurs, and in my mind, this breed looks the most like dinosaurs than any other chicken I have encountered,” she says. “They have such an interesting body shape—really long legs and a compact body.”

A BREED WITH CONFIDENCE

Confident, curious, and energetic, this breed is always keen to see what is happening in the yard. “They are the first out of the coop in the morning and the last to go to bed,” Hannah explains. “They are super active, very inquisitive, and just calm. They fit in extremely well with my flock—never aggressive or bossy, just extremely confident.”