Poultry - Rare Softfeather True Bantam

BREED

BREED SUMMARY

BELGIAN BARBU d'ANVERS

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Origin: Belgium
Uses: Ornamental
Egg Colour: Tinted
About: The Barbu d'Anvers (barbu means "bearded") is a true bantam with no large counterpart. It is one of the oldest known bantam breeds and is  thought to have originated in the province of Antwerp in Northern Flanders. It is also known overseas as Antwerp Bantam. Hens are reasonable layers, docile and good sitters, roosters can be aggressive. 
Weight: Male 700-790g; Female 600-700g.

BELGIAN BARBU DE WATERMAEL

OF CONCERN

Origin: Belgium
Uses: Ornamental
Egg Colour: Tinted
About: The Barbu de Watermael originated in the Belgian town of Watermael-Boitsfort from which it takes its name, which means "bearded [chicken] from Watermael". It is closely related to the Belgian d'Anvers but is distinguished from it by its small, backswept crest of feathers as well as its triple spiked rosecomb. It is among one of the most recent of the Belgian bantam breeds, ts origin is poorly documented. It was created by Antoine Dresse at the estate of La Fougères at Watermael-Boitsfort in the early years of the twentieth century, or, according to one source, in 1915. Neither Dresse nor his son ever revealed what breeds contributed to the creation of the Barbu de Watermael, though the contribution of the Barbu d'Anvers is considered certain.
Weight: Male 600-700g; Female 500-600g

DUTCH

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Origin: The Netherlands
Uses: Table, Eggs
Egg Colour: Tinted
About: The Dutch Bantam is a true bantam with no large counterpart and is one of the smallest bantams. Historically it is thought these tiny chickens were selectively bred because peasants were only allowed to keep chickens that laid small eggs with the larger eggs having to go to the landed gentry. Having relatively large wings for their diminutive size Dutch Bantams can fly quite well. They are surprisingly good egg layers, although the eggs are a small size. The original colour pattern was partridge but there are now many colours. All varieties should have a five pointed comb and white earlobes.
Weight: Male 500-550g; Female 400-450g.

Photo courtesy of Jill Weaver

JAPANESE (INC FRIZZLED)

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Origin: Japan
Uses: Ornamental
Egg Colour: White
About: The Japanese Bantam, or Chabo, is a Japanese breed of ornamental chicken. It is a true bantam breed, meaning that it has no large fowl counterpart. It characterised by very short legs and a large upright tail that reaches much higher than the head of the bird. They are thought to have been introduced to the UK in the 1860s with the first Japanese Bantam Club being formed in 1912 in London. Japanese Bantams were in Australia from at least 1864 with them being "highly commended" at the 1864 Victorian Poultry Show. Japanese Bantams carry the dominant creeper gene Cp which gives the breed short legs. If two short legged birds are bred together, according to Mendels law, 25% of the offspring will be pure for Cp, a lethal gene combination which causes a disability making them unable to hatch. 50% of the offspring will carry one Cp gene and are therefore short legged as per the breed standard and the final 25% will not carry the gene and be long legged.
Weight: Male 510-620g; Female 400-510g.

NANKIN

CRITICAL

Origin: Asia - Java or India
Uses: Eggs, Exhibition
Egg Colour: Tinted
About: The Nankin - a true bantam - is named for the ancient Chinese inland seaport of Nanking (now Nanjing), located on the Yangtze River in the east-central part of the country. There is evidence that the Nankin arrived in England prior to the 1500s with speculation that it may have been present well before then.They are thought to be the progenitors of most of the buff bantam varieties. as well as in the development of numerous bantam breeds, such as the Sebright. The breed was more importantly recognized for its usefulness as a brood chicken. They are good fliers and like to roost high. Nankins tend to stay very close together as a group with individuals rarely wandering far from the rest of the flock. They are good layers and an engaging, easilty tamed breed. Nankins were introduced to Australia in 2016, and are included in the 2nd Addendum to the APS2.
Weight: Male 680-740g; Female 570-620g.

ROSECOMB 

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Origin: South East Asia
Uses: Exhibition
Egg Colour: White or Cream
Comb: Rose shaped, neat and long with square, well-filled front
About: The Rosecomb is a true bantam whose origins go back to the early nineteenth century importations from the island of Java.Their popularity as an ornamental bird rose when King Richard III began to raise them. They are particularly noted for their comb and lobe, quality of feather, lustrous plumage and distinctly proud and stylish type and carriage. Being an ornamental chicken they are poor egg layers and not suited to meat production. They are a hardy and active breed and although usually friendly, the cocks can become aggressive.
Weight: Male 570-620g; Female 455-510g.

Photo Courtesy of Nicholas Round

SERAMA

OF CONCERN

Origin: Malaysia
Uses: Exhibition
Egg Colour: White to Brown
About: Serama originate in the Malaysian state of Kelantan, apparently through the crossing of Japanese and Malaysian bantams. Other stories of the birds derived from a gift of some small chickens by the King of Thailand to a local sultan in ancient times. Small chickens have always been popular pets in this area and are often referred to as "ayam katik" (pygmy chickens) and "ayam cantik" (pretty chickens). The modern breed is attributed to the efforts of Wee Yean Een from Kelantan, who named the breed "Serama" after Rama, the title of the Kings of Thailand. The breed was first exhibited in 1990. They are a highly prized exhibition breed in Malaysia where they are trained to display on a table for judging. Due to their exaggerated body shape, breeding can be difficult.  Serama were introduced to Australia in 2016, and are included in the 2nd Addendum to the APS2.
Weight: Male Up to 500g; Female Up to 450g