Best beginner breeds

Ready to start your flock this year? From personality to practicality, here's a list of the best bantam breeds for beginners researched by Cara Wheeldon

- 

Each breed is unique. Finding the right one for you is absolutely essential,” says 47-year-old ex-poultry journal editor, Tom Newbold. Living in Southwell in Newark, Tom has over 40 years' experience in the poultry field, both as the editor of the news section for The Poultry Journal and as an award-winning show participant and breeder with over 1,000 bantams.

With a lifetime of dedication, breed expertise, and a deep-seated passion for bantams, Tom is here to give us something slightly different this month by sharing his top five beginner-friendly breeds, perfect for those looking to start their own feathered adventure.

PLYMOUTH ROCK

When it comes to starting out with bantams, there is no better option in Tom's opinion than the Plymouth Rock. First exhibited in Germany, Britain, and the USA in the early 1900s, this hefty breed is known for its calm and content temperament, stunning looks, and hardy nature. Described by Omlet as, “a rather large bantam with a long body, short tail and deep, well-rounded breast,” these birds are strong, fast-growing, and slightly larger.