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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.

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