Pekin chickens are one of the best beginner breeds — calm, compact, and full of character. This guide shares everything you need to know to keep them healthy and happy, even in a small garden.
What Are Pekin Chickens?
I keep two Pekins in my garden — two mottled ones. They were the first chickens we ever bought, mostly because they looked so fun. The moment I saw them shuffling around with those ridiculous fluffy feet, I was completely won over. They looked like pompoms with beaks.
Pekin chickens, also known as true bantams, are naturally small birds with no large counterpart. They originated in China. They were popularised in the UK since the 1800s. They’re beloved for their fluffy legs, rounded bodies, and sweet personalities. In the US, they’re sometimes called bantam Cochins, but they’re their own distinct breed.
You’ll find Pekins in a range of colours. These range from smooth classics to fancy frizzles. This diversity makes them both practical and ornamental.
Read more on Wikipedia – Pekin Bantam
Why Our Pekins Were the Perfect First Chickens
Pekins are ideal for new chicken keepers:
- Friendly and gentle — great with children
- Small size — perfect for gardens and urban spaces
- Can’t fly well — easy to contain
- Naturally broody — great mums if you want chicks
Just note: those feathered feet need extra care to stay clean and dry.
What to Expect From a Pekin’s Egg Basket
You can expect around 80–150 small cream eggs per year — about 3–4 per week in season. Laying usually starts between 5–7 months and may pause in winter or when broody.
No rooster is needed for egg production — only if you want to hatch chicks.
When cooking, you’ll often want to use 1.5–2 Pekin eggs to replace a single standard egg in recipes. They’re small but mighty! Laying usually starts between 5–7 months and may pause in winter or when broody.
No rooster is needed for egg production — only if you want to hatch chicks.
| Trait | Details |
|---|---|
| Egg output | 80–150 per year |
| Egg size/colour | Small, cream |
| Laying starts | 5–7 months old |
| Broodiness | Very high |
| Rooster needed? | No (unless breeding) |
What Are Pekins Like to Live With?
These birds are calm, cuddly, and curious. They’re often compared to lap pets — some even enjoy sitting on your lap! Because of their gentle nature, they’re low in the pecking order. Avoid mixing with dominant breeds like Leghorns or aggressive hybrids. Better companions include:
- Silkies
- Orpingtons
- Other bantams
They’re also quieter than many hybrids — ideal for urban gardens.
How Much Room Do Pekins Really Need?
Although small, Pekins still need room to move. Provide:
- 1m² per bird minimum (4m² ideal)
- Low perches (15–30cm) to protect their joints
- Sheltered, dry run to protect foot feathers
- Soft, absorbent bedding (chopped hemp or wood shavings work well)
Avoid muddy ground. Dirty foot feathers can lead to mites, bumblefoot, or chill.
📖 Red Mite Prevention – Poultry Keeper
What Goes Into a Pekin’s Bowl?
They don’t eat much, but their diet matters:
Feed:
- Layers’ pellets or crumbles (easier for small beaks)
- Oyster shell for calcium
- Fresh water (raise to avoid fouling)
- Treats: greens, herbs, seeds, mealworms
Avoid:
- Salty or mouldy scraps
- Green potato peels, avocado, chocolate
Read more on what to feed Chickens
Broody Pekins: What to Do When They Want to Nest
Broodiness is common in Pekin hens — they’re wonderful mothers. But if you don’t want chicks, break the cycle by:
- Collecting eggs daily
- Using a well-ventilated breaker crate
- Placing her somewhere cool and bright
Always ensure broody hens eat and drink.
Read more on managing broody hens.
What Colours and Types of Pekins Are There?
Pekins come in dozens of beautiful colour varieties. Popular ones for beginners include:
- Buff
- Lavender
- Mottled
- Cuckoo
- Millefleur
- White and black
You can also get frizzle Pekins — with feathers that curl outward for a fluffy, fun look. These need more weather protection, especially in wet UK climates.
Common Health Issues to Watch For
Pekins need a little more attention than your average hybrid, mostly due to their feathered feet and compact build. I’ve made it a habit to give mine a once-over every Sunday with a cup of coffee in hand. Feet, eyes, and comb get a quick check. I feel better knowing I’ve caught anything early.
Because of their feathered feet and compact build, Pekins are prone to:
- Mites and lice (especially under foot feathers)
- Bumblefoot from walking on hard or wet ground
- Scaly leg mite under feathered shanks
- Overheating in hot, humid weather
Prevention tips:
- Use sand or gravel in muddy runs
- Check feet weekly
- Dust bath with diatomaceous earth and ash
- Quarantine new birds before introducing
As with all chickens in the UK, they need to be registered. They must follow legal requirements if you are in a Bird Flu Protection Zone.
Seasonal Care Tips for UK Gardeners
One of my Pekins — the mottled one — absolutely hates wet weather. She’ll stand on one leg. It’s like she’s trying to levitate away from the mud. That’s why I started using a base layer of sand and bark in their run. It’s made a big difference. Pekins are fairly hardy but benefit from a few seasonal tweaks:
Autumn/Winter:
- Add extra bedding and windbreaks
- Raise water and feed off the ground
- Limit wet or muddy foot exposure
Spring/Summer:
- Provide shaded areas and dust baths
- Watch for signs of overheating (panting, wings held out)
- Reduce broody stress with cool, quiet spaces
Monthly Health Maintenance
To keep your Pekins in top condition, create a regular care rhythm:
- Weekly: Check feet and legs for mites or feather damage
- Monthly: Light nail and beak check — trim if needed
- Every 2 months: Dust coop and birds with a poultry-safe powder like diatomaceous earth or Karbadust (example from Pekin Bantams RSA)
A quick visual check can make all the difference.
Seasonal Supplements for Healthy Pekins
In colder months, you can offer a little cracked corn or soaked lucerne meal in the late afternoon for warmth. In summer, you can use apple cider vinegar (1–2ml per litre of water). It may help digestion. It also discourages algae in drinkers (Pekin Bantams RSA).
Just like us, they benefit from a bit of seasonal tuning.
Starter Shopping List for Pekin Keepers
Here’s what you’ll need to get started with 2–4 Pekin chickens:
- Small secure coop with low perches
- Covered run with dry base
- Layers’ pellets or crumbles
- Oyster shell and grit
- Dust bath area (dry soil + ash + sand)
- Waterer (raised)
- Feeder (covered, low to ground)
- Broody breaker crate (optional but helpful)
Choosing a coop for your Pekins? Try our Coop Size Calculator
How Do Pekins Compare to Other Bantams?
| Breed | Size | Temperament | Egg Output | Flight Risk | Notes |
| Pekin | Very small | Gentle | Low | Low | Great mums, ornamental |
| Silkie | Small | Very gentle | Very low | Very low | Poor weather tolerance |
| Serama | Tiny | Active | Low | High | Needs warmth, good flyers |
| Orpington | Large bantam | Calm | Medium | Medium | Needs more space |
If you want a breed that’s child-friendly and low-maintenance, Pekins usually come out on top.
Personal Reflection: Why I Keep Coming Back to Pekins
I’ve kept a range of different chickens over the years. However, my Pekins are the ones I always recommend to friends if they are starting a back garden flock.
They’ve sat on my lap while sitting out in the sun and kept me company while I’ve weeded the beds. They fluffed up like angry pom-poms when broody. They’re more than just chickens — they’re companions.
A while ago one of my girls went broody in the coldest part of December. I had to break her out of it gently by placing her in a spare crate in the utility room. I checked on her during coffee breaks. She forgave me, eventually.
These little moments are what make keeping Pekins so rewarding. Our Pekins have been such great company and even run across the run or grass to greet us. I’ve found Pekins to be great chickens for gardens because of their small size. They can also be very tame and make great pets.
Can You Keep Just One Pekin?
Pekins are sociable creatures. While they’re calm and undemanding, they really do better with at least one friend. I wouldn’t recommend keeping a single Pekin on its own — they thrive in pairs or small groups.
If you lose one of a bonded pair, try to introduce a new companion fairly quickly. In my case, my two mottled girls are so inseparable they even dust bathe side by side. Chickens form bonds, and watching them together is half the joy.
Do Pekins Sleep in Nest Boxes?
Mine used to! Especially when they were young or broody-prone. It’s tempting for them — the nest box is warm, low, and enclosed. But long term, sleeping there means dirty eggs and disrupted laying.
If you notice them nesting overnight, try gently moving them to a low perch after dark. Encouraging them to roost helps keep things cleaner and healthier.
Mistakes I Made Early On
We all learn by doing — and with Pekins, here are three things I wish I’d known sooner:
- Underestimating mud – Their fluffy feet and a wet UK winter? Big mistake. Fixing the run base changed everything.
- Thinking broodiness was cute – It is, until you’ve got a hen refusing to move for two weeks. Now I’m better at spotting the signs early.
- Overfeeding treats – Those eyes are hard to resist, but mine got a bit plump until I rebalanced their diet.
If you’re new to chickens, don’t worry. These birds are forgiving — and you’ll soon find your rhythm. Before you get chickens its worth making sure you know the chicken-keeping laws in the UK.
FAQ
Are Pekin chickens good for beginners?
Yes — they’re calm, easy-going, and do well in small spaces.
How many eggs do Pekin chickens lay?
Around 80–150 small eggs per year, mainly in warmer months.
Do Pekins need a rooster to lay eggs?
No — only if you want to hatch chicks.
Can Pekin chickens fly?
Not really — they can hop, but don’t escape easily.
What’s the lifespan of a Pekin chicken?
Typically 5–8 years with good care.
Can Pekins live with other breeds?
Yes, but only with similarly calm and gentle types.
What should I put in a dust bath for Pekins?
Dry soil, ash, and fine sand work well.
How tall are Pekins?
Usually 20–30cm (8–12 inches).
Final Thoughts (And Why Ours Run to Greet Us)
Raising Pekins has been one of the gentlest joys of my growing journey. They’re not just pretty birds — they’re funny, expressive, and surprisingly opinionated. Mine greet me every morning with their little dinosaur purrs and follow me around the garden like fluffy shadows. If you want a gentle, charming breed to begin your chicken-keeping journey, Pekins are hard to beat. Their small size, lovely temperament, and beautiful plumage make them a true joy. They are especially suited for gardens where space is limited.
I’ve kept a range of breeds over the years. However, my two little Pekin hens have always had a special place in our flock. They’re the ones children cuddle. They stay close while you weed. They are the ones you worry about the most when the weather turns.
Got questions or stories about your own Pekins? Leave a comment below — I read every one.
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