___________________________________________________________________________________________________

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Java

CATEGORY: True Bantam

EGG COLOUR: White (Sitters)

HISTORY

The Rosecomb was probably imported from the port of Bantam in Java. In Holland the breed is still called Java Bantam. The German Standard refers to this breed as BANTAM only. The first black Rosecomb in England was recorded in 1483. The Rosecomb was improved in England and other countries and is regarded as the ideal exhibition breed. In former days it achieved probably the highest pitch of artificial perfection ever achieved by fanciers.

BREEDING

The Rosecomb is a breed of chicken named for its distinctive comb. Rosecombs are bantam chickens, and are among those known as true bantams, meaning they are not a miniaturized version of a large fowl. Rosecombs are one of the oldest and most popular bantam breeds in showing, and thus have numerous variations within the breed. As an ornamental chicken, they are subsequently poor egg layers, and not suited for meat production.

Rosecombs are almost exclusively kept for competitive poultry showing, and their characteristics reflect this. Males are generally 650 grams and females are 550 grams.  The breed’s eponymous trait is its rose comb, which is large compared to its overall body size. They also sport relatively substantial white earlobes, prodigious tails, and a compact body shape. In addition to these general characteristics, Rosecombs appear in 25 different colour variations, though Black, Blue, and White are the most common.

Selective breeding solely for appearance has produced birds with striking appearances, but poor egg laying ability, carcasses unsuitable for eating, and some reproductive problems. Due to a genetic trait tied to rose combed chickens, roosters may have low fertility. Hens rarely are inclined to brood their own clutches, and chicks have high mortality rates. However, adult birds are generally hardy and active. Unlike the majority of chickens, Rosecombs are good fliers. They are also usually friendly birds, but males may be aggressive.

 Print This Article

BREEDERS:

To be included as a breeder please send your details in the comment box below:

__________________________________________________________________________________

BARBU D’ UCCLE

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Belgium

CATEGORY: True Bantam

EGG COLOUR: White to light brown (Sitters)

HISTORY

Barbu d’Uccles are known in Europe since the beginning of the 20^th century. In England they were known as “garden-fowl” and in Germany they were referred to as “Mille fleurs”, a French name that means ‘thousand flowers’. Belgium is named as the place of origin and more specifically the village Ukkel. Barbu d’Uccle means the bearded one from Uccle. The merchant of Brussels, Michel van Gelder, is said to be the man who developed this breed by crossing the Sabelpoot with the Barbu d’Anvers. The d’Uccle is always single combed and feather legged, but in type quite like the d’Anvers, with a high carried tail.

BREEDING

The Barbu D’Uccle is renowned for being a calm bird. Their eggs are notably small and are coated with creamy or tinted colouring. The breed is known for being very broody, and a typical hen can lay her eggs over a two-week period, though others have taken as long as three weeks.

The Barbu d’Uccle are susceptible to Marek’s  disease, so breeders are advised to vaccinate their birds.Because the population is already small, it seems smart then to vaccinate day-old chickens.  Breeders with lots of space can breed more animals.  This offers an opportunity to keep several groups separate and to proceed to select on the sensitivity for this disease.  If sensitivity is present, than a lot of animals will show the disease (mostly at the start of the egg-laying period).  When the animals do not get sick, then enough resistance is present and it is possible to build up a resistance after a few years.  However, this selection against Marek’s will cost many young chickens and a lot of time. (For more info about Marek’s desease please click on Poultry Handbook and then Poultry diseases on our website)

  Print This Article

BREEDERS:

To be included as a breeder please send your details in the comment box below:

_______________________________________________________________________________

PEKIN BANTAM

ORIGIN: China/Asia

CATEGORY:  True Bantam

EGG COLOUR:  White to brown (Sitters)

HISTORY

Pekin Bantams were originally Cochin Bantams when they arrived in the UK, however they had no relationship to large Cochins and looked quite different. They came from a different place (Peking in China) so after much debate over many years, they were renamed as ‘Pekin Bantams’. Around the rest of the World, Cochin Bantams are similar in appearance to the British Pekin Bantams although breed standards are slightly different.

The first (Buff) Cochin Bantam were originally thought to have been found in Peking in the gardens of the Emperor’s palace that was looted in 1859 by some of the 11’000 British and 6’700 strong French forces during the opium wars. Further birds were imported in later years and further colours followed, some, like the white being from white ‘sports’ that hatched from Buffs, crossed with white Booted Bantams. Another story states they were imported from China around 1830-1840 and were presented to Queen Victoria. These imported birds were then crossed with other breeds and are now know today as Pekin Bantams.

BREEDING

The feet and legs of Pekin Bantams are completely covered by their feathers. Pekin bantams are a True bantam, a breed which has no large fowl counterpart, are round, and their carriage tilts forward, with the head slightly closer to the ground than their elaborate tail feathers. This ’tilt’ is a key characteristic of the Pekin bantam. They have sometimes been described as looking like little walking tea cosies, or feathery footballs. The cockerels often have longer feathers that protrude outwards from their feet. The range of Pekin colours is extensive. Rarer colours are in great demand, and many breeders spend hours perfecting new lines of colours in their birds.

Pekin Bantams are very docile, and with careful and regular handling they will be happy to sit on their owner’s lap to be stroked and petted. They make ideal pets for families with younger children for this reason. However, the Pekin bantam cockerels can still be aggressive and defensive of their territory and mates once they reach sexual maturity, but are generally gentle natured and have been known to share incubation of the eggs. The Pekin is a very gentle bird. They are good layers of small eggs but are broody, making them great mums. They make excellent pets for children as they are tame. They settle very well and require little space. Pekins can look rather pale and anemic if not allowed on grass to forage. They tend not to scratch around in flower beds so are good birds to keep in an urban garden. They are normally a robust and long-lived bird that loves company.

PEKIN FRIZZLED BANTAMS

In recent years we have seen quite a variety of Frizzle Pekins.  The main colour varieties are: Blacks, Whites, Blues, Buffs, Partridges, Lavenders, Mottles, Cuckoos and Millefleurs.  There is practically no reason why it couldn’t be seen in all recognised varieties. The colour description of Pekins is applicable and they are shown under the breed: Pekin Bantam, Frizzle.

 Print This Article

BREEDERS:

To be included as a breeder please send your details in the comment box below:

_________________________________________________________________________________

DUTCH BANTAM

Country of Origin: The Netherlands

Category:  True Bantam

Egg Colour:  Tinted (Sitters)

HISTORY

The Dutch Bantam or Hollandse Kriel originated in Holland round about 1882 and is recognised in the Netherlands Book of Standards since 1906. It first appeared in the UK about 1970 where it is initially called the Old Dutch Bantam. In South Africa it was shown for the first time in Polokwane in 1996. It is possibly one of the smallest bantams around and looks in some way like the Rosecomb Bantam, although it has a distinct type of its own. It is found in several colours, and is really a beautiful little bird.

BREEDING

Dutch Bantams are one of the smallest breeds of bantam, and are one of the true bantams. Males should weigh no more than 550 grams, and females 450 grams. Due to their light weight and relatively large wings, Dutch Bantams fly rather well. The original type of plumage for Dutch Bantams was a partridge pattern. Today, there are dozens of colours.  All varieties should have a comb with 5 points, white earlobes, slate blue legs, apart from certain varieties and white skin.

The breed is friendly in temperament, but somewhat flighty. Their small size and comb type makes them not especially cold hardy. Dutch Bantam hens make good mothers and will easily go broody. Uniquely for bantams, and especially ones popular in showing, Dutch Bantams lay well; they can produce 160 cream or white eggs in a year, though the size of the egg is much smaller than commercial layers. Due to their friendly character and egg laying ability, the breed is well suited to hobbyists and backyard keepers needing a bantam sized bird.

BREEDERS:

To be included as a breeder please send your details in the comment box below

  Print This Article