BREED NAME (BANTAM)
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BREED SUMMARY (BANTAM)
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ANDALUSIAN
OF CONCERN
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Origin: The Mediterranean
Classification: Light
Egg colour: White
Comb: Single, upright.
Uses: Exhibition
About: Andalusian are active, good foragers, rarely broody. Said to be "stubborn" or "intractable" and more suited to experienced keepers. Heat hardy. The large comb and wattles of the rooster means some protection is needed in very cold weather.
Bantam weight: Male 910g-1.02kg; Female 740-910g.
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ARAUCANA
WATCH
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Origin: Chile
Classification: Light
Egg colour: Blue or Green
Comb: Pea
Uses: Exhibition, Eggs
About: The name Araucana comes from the Arauca province in Chile. The blue egg laying Araucana were discovered there at the time of the Spanish invasions. In Australia, Gerry Coady and Barney Hackney created the "Australian Araucana", the form we see today, through selective breeding. They are an active breed, curious and confident. They are good foragers and enjoy free ranging. They hold their own in a mixed flock.Broodiness is variable. Araucana lay well with blue shelled eggs, with the blue carrying right through the egg shell. Due to the O dominant gene that Araucana carry, crosses will have bluish or greenish eggs as well. A generally hardy breed.
Bantam weight: Male 850-900g; Female 700-910g.
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BARNEVELDER
OF CONCERN
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Origin: The Netherlands
Classification: Heavy
Egg colour: Brown
Comb: Single upright
Uses: Exhibition, Eggs, Table
About: The Barnevelder originated in Barneveld in the Gelderland Province, Holland. From around the 1820s Barneveld farm fowls were crossed with Cochin. In 1885 the fowls were crossed with Brahma , followed shortly with crossings with Langshan. In the early 1900s crossing with Orpingtons was undertaken. In 1910 steps were taken to obtain more uniformity in colour and type, and from this time dates the name Barnevelder. In 1921 a Dutch association of Barnevelder breeders was formed and a standard for the breed fixed. Barnevelder are a docile. friendly, active breed that enjoys free ranging but can cope with penning as long as there is sufficient space. A good breed for beginners and children.They are a good layer of darkish brown eggs (3-4 eggs a week in laying season). The depth of colour may vary from line to line. Eggs may sometimes be be speckled.
Bantam weight: Male 850g-1.075kg; Female 680-910g.
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BRAHMA
OF CONCERN
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Origin: China/India border
Classification: Heavy
Uses: Eggs, Table, Exhibition
Egg colour: Tinted
Comb: Pea
About: The Brahma as for the Cochin, is very important for its role in the "hen fever" of mid 19th century Victorian England and the USA, and its role in the beginning of poultry exhibition. The foundation breed for the Brahma is said to come from the Brahmapootra area of India. Specimens had been taken into China over a long period. From there they were Imported into England and USA in the 1840s, with the name Shanghais. These birds were different to the type we know today, not having the heavily feathered legs, and having variable combs - single and pea. The Brahma we now know as a breed were selectively bred in the New England region of the USA from 1850 to 1865, with the distinctive head shape and pea comb being the standard from 1866, along with the breed name. The pea comb is considered to result from cross-breeding with "Chittagong" birds of Malay type also imported from China. The Dark Brahma was further developed in the UK in the 1850s from US stock sent to Queen Victoria. In Australia, the breed died out after WW2 but was recreated by dedicated breeders. They are a docile, stately, calm, and gentle breed. Friendly and easily tamed with regular handling. Hens can be broody; excellent mothers. Medium layer, 2-3 tinted eggs per week. Can lay into early to mid winter.
Bantam weight: Male 1.19-1.42kg; Female 1.02-1.26kg.
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CAMPINE
OF CONCERN
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Origin: Northern part of Belgium
Classification: Light breed
Uses: Eggs, Exhibition
Egg Colour: White
Comb: Single, upright, medium size
About: The Campine in Australia is bred in a manner consistent with the intentions and practices that resulted in the "hen-feathered" English Campine developed in the 1900's. This was the Type of Campine imported into Australia and provided the foundation of the pure bred Campines today. Campines are considered to be a flighty, hardy breed with active, inquisitive natures.
Bantam weight: Male 740-850g; Female 625-740g
Photo of Gold Campine pullet courtesy of Mark Porter
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CROAD LANGSHAN
OF CONCERN
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Origin: Rudong, China
Classification: Heavy Breed, Softfeather
Uses: Meat, Eggs
Egg Colour: Buff
Comb: Single, upright, straight
About: Imported in the 1880's, with the Club formed in 1904, the Croad Langshan is a heavy bird that is intelligent, strong and active. The hens are good sitters and attentive mothers who are also good layers. They are quiet, docile and friendly. The comb, earlobes and wattle are bright red. The male can stand 90cm in height and has very long tail sickles. They are a slow maturing breed that requires plenty of room and feed. It is one of the breeds used to create the Black Orpington.
Bantam weight: Male 1.02-1.19kg; Female 790g-1.01kg
Photo Courtesy of Sue Rutschmann
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DORKING
OF CONCERN
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Origin: Surrey, England
Classification: Heavy Breed
Uses: Table, Eggs, Exhibition
Egg Colour: White or Tinted
Comb: Single or Rose comb
About: One of the oldest of the British breeds, the Dorking has short legs and five toes. The skin colour beneath the feathers is white and it is one of the few breeds with red earlobes that produces white eggs. Dorking pullets are slow to come into lay but will lay all Winter. The breed does not wander far from home and likes to roost in trees if given the opportunity.
Bantam weight: Male 1.19-1.42kg; Female 1.02-1.26kg
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FAVEROLLES
OF CONCERN
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Origin: France
Classification: Heavy Breed
Uses: Table, Eggs, Exhibition
Egg Colour: Tinted, Light brown to Pinkish
Comb: Single, Upright
About: The Faverolles takes its name from the village of Faverolles in France and is classified as a heavy breed. It has a beard, muffs, feathered feet and five toes per foot. Faverolles were developed by crossing many other breeds including the Dorking, Houdan, French Rennes, Brahma, Flemish Cuckoo and Malines. They are known for their extreme docility and even the roosters are gentle, friendly birds. The most common colour is Salmon, with the hens being mainly brown and white and the cocks darker with black, brown and straw coloured feathers.
Bantam weight: Male 1.14-1.36kg; Female 910g-1.135kg.
Photo courtesy of Anne Sim
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FRIZZLE
OF CONCERN
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Origin: Asia
Classification: Heavy
Uses: Exhibition
Egg Colour: White or Tinted
Comb: Single, medium and upright
About: The Frizzle has curled or frizzled plumage and is clean-legged. It is quick growing, hardy and a good forager. The hens are fair to good layers and the chicks appear to be normally feathered when hatched. The gene for the curling feathers is incompletely dominant over normal plumage, meaning not all members of the breed will have the frizzled feathers. Mating Frizzle to Frizzle gives 25% smooth feathered, 25% over frizzled and 50% frizzled. Smooth Friizle birds should be kept for mating to a frizzled Frizzle to avoid brittle feathers and/or lack of feathering in the over frizzled birds. Breeding a frizzled Frizzle to a smooth Frizzle will result in 100% frizzled Frizzles.
Bantam weight: Male 960g-1.075kg; Female 790-910g.
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HAMBURGH
OF CONCERN
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Origin: Britain
Classification: Light
Uses: Eggs, Exhibition
Egg Colour: White
About: Hamburghs were kept and bred to feather among the peasants of Yorkshire and Lancashire in England, and by them exhibited at the small town and county fairs in their neighborhood. Of course they were then known under different names, the Blacks being called Black Pheasant Fowls and the Spangled varieties Lancashire Mooneys and Yorkshire Pheasants. Penciled varieties formed a part of the Hamburgh family, although our earliest positive knowledge traces them to direct importations from Holland, where they were brought in great numbers, and were originally known under the names of Dutch Everyday Layers or Dutch Everlasting Layers." (Book of the Hamburgs, L.Frank Baum, 1886, p.5 as quoted by www.openpoultrystandards.com). Hamburghs are a vigorous fowl - resilient in the Australian climatel, useful as an egg producer and a fine specimen in the show pen.
Bantam weight: Male 680-790g; Female 625-740g.
Photo courtesy of P. Still 2005
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HOUDAN
CRITICAL
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Origin: France
Classification: Light
Uses: Table, Eggs, Exhibition
Egg Colour: White
Comb: Leaf type, Butterfly shaped, fairly small and well-defined
About: Houdans have small earlobes and wattles, a backward facing crest, five toes, and facial feathering consisting of a beard and muffing near the ears. In the hens, the feathering can sometimes obscure the combs and wattles. Originally a dual purpose bird, kept for meat and eggs, the Houdan is now primarily kept for exhibition. The breed is calm and placid with a docile nature.
Bantam weight: Male 790-910g; Female 740-850g.
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LEGBAR
OF CONCERN
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Origin: Britain
Classification: Light
Uses: Eggs
Egg Colour: White or Cream unless for the Cream Legbar which lays Blue or Green eggs
Comb: Single, large, perfectly straight and erect with five or six deep and evenly serrated spikes.
About: The Leghorn is the second of the auto-sexing breeds developed in the 1930's specifically for egg production, by Professor Punnett and M. Pease at the Genetical Institute in Cambridge. The first being the Cambar. The Legbar chicks can be visually sexed at one day old by their colouring. The breed was developed by crossing two excellent egg laying breeds, the Barred Plymouth Rock and the Leghorn. The Gold Legbar was created by crossing the Brown Leghorn with the Barred Plymouth Rock. The Silver Legbar by crossing the Gold Legbar with White Leghorn and Silver Cambar. The Cream Legbar was created by crossing the Gold Legbar with the White Leghorn and Creme Araucana, which introduced the crest and the blue eggs.
Bantam weight: Male 910g-1.075kg; Female 790-910g.
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MARANS
CRITICAL
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Origin: France
Classification: Heavy
Uses: Eggs
Egg color: Dark brown
Comb: Single upright
About: France. The Marans comes from the port town of Marans in south-western France. The Marans breed was named in 1929 to protect the breed qualities, leading then to the first standard in 1931. The current French Standard was set in 1991 as a result of better understanding of colour genetics, with further varieties standardised in France through to 2011. Marans were in Australia in the 1930s but dwindled in numbers. Numbers were rebuilt in Australia from remnant flocks located by dedicated breeders, as well as through recreations. The importation of Marans in 2014 and 2015 was an important addition to the Australian Marans community with Black and Blue Copper varieties added to the APS in its 2016 Addendum. The first show of the French Marans Club of Australia was held in 2010 with 26 entries. Interest in the breed is growing, especially due to the trend for coloured eggs. They are generally a docile, friendly and relaxed breed. Marans are happy to be confined in a large pen, but very much enjoy free ranging. Hens tend not to be overly broody. Good egg laying at around 150-200 eggs annum. The dark russet-red brown, sometimes speckled, eggs of the Marans are much sought after, but the colour can vary from hen to hen as well as in the individual hen itself. The Marans egg colour comes from the impregnation of a liquid colouring on the eggshell. This liquid is produced by tissues along the last 10 centimetres of the oviduct and is deposited right before laying. Straight after laying, a layer of mucous covering the egg dries quickly and the shell keeps its colour. It is these mucous glands that secrete the colouring substances and tint the shell. This process and its genetics is still not fully understood and subject to further studies.
Bantam weight: Male 1.0-1.3kg; Female 790-950g.
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MINORCA
CRITICAL
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Origin: Mediterranean, Southern Spain, Minorca, Majorca
Classification: Light
Uses: Eggs, Exhibition
Egg Colour: White and very large
Comb: Single - large, evenly serrated Rose - Oblong, upright and firmly carried (Rose comb is not acceptable in Spain)
About: Originally called the Red-Faced Black Spanish, the Minorca was once famous as a prolific layer of large, pure-white eggs but is not a sitter. It is a hardy and rugged fowl and is the largest and heaviest of the Mediterranean breeds. It is a long bird with a narrow body and as such does not make a great table fowl. The Minorca has a good temperament and thrives on human contact. It is a good forager and copes well with warm, dry conditions. The large comb can be prone to frostbite in cold climates.
Bantam weight: Male 960g-1.19kg; Female 850g-1.075kg.
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NEW HAMPSHIRE
CRITICAL
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Origin: North America (New Hampshire)
Classification: Heavy
Uses: Meat, Eggs
Egg Colour: Tinted to Brown
Comb: Medium sized, single, well-developed, perfectly straight and upright with five well-defined points
About: The New Hampshire was developed as a specialised selection of the Rhode Island Red. It was developed early in the twentieth century in its namesake State, by using the Rhode Island Red and selecting for rapid growth, fast feathering, early maturity and vigour. They were originally developed for eggs but have gained a reputation as a good table bird as well. The hens lay well and are placid and friendly. The feathers are a deep chestnut red and are fluffy and full.
Bantam weight: Male 850-960g; Female 740-850g.
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ORPINGTON
WATCH
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Origin: Orpington, Kent Country, UK
Classification: Heavy
Uses: Eggs, Exhibition
Egg colour: Brown
Comb: Single or Rosecomb
About: The entrepreneurial William Cook of Orpington in Kent County, and developer of the Orpington Duck, is also the developer of the Orpington starting with the Black Orpington which he introduced in 1886. The Black was the result of crossings of Black Minorca, Black Plymouth Rock and clean-legged Langshan and in some cases the Black Cochin. In 1891 Joseph Partington developed a heavier and more feathered version of the Black through further crossing with Cochin, with a decline in the loss of the utility features of Cook's form. Cook followed his Black with the the Buff Orpington in 1894. There has been considerable variation in the type of Orpingtons in Australia. Work has been undertaken by the Orpington Club of Australia to develop representative images of the Orpington to help exemplify the Standard. The Club's proposed image for inclusion in the Standards for the Black is included here. Orpingtions are gentle and friendly with people. They can be quite individual in their personalities; some hens are good broodies and mothers; others not so much. Good egg layers with 175-200 brown tinted eggs per annum.
Bantam weight: Male 1.41-1.58kg; Female 1.19-1.36kg.
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PHOENIX
OF CONCERN
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Origin: Japan, Germany
Classification: Light
Uses: Exhibition, Feathers
Egg Colour: White or Tinted
Comb: Medium sized, single, fine textured, upright, firm with 4-6 serrations
About: The Phoenix was developed in Germany by Mr Hugo du Roi from the long tailed, Japanese Onagadori birds. The Onagadori has a recessive gene which prevents it moulting each year in the usual way and gives the male incredibly long tail feathers, which can exceed six metres in length. This gene was not passed on to the Phoenix which, although has beautifully long tail feathers, does not reach the lengths of the Japanese stock. The Phoenix is an alert breed with a pheasant like appearance which thrives best when free ranging. The chicks are hardy but require extra protein when their tails are growing.
Bantam weight: Male 790-850g; Female 740-790g
Photo courtesy of J.T Dale
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PLYMOUTH ROCK
WATCH
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Origin: United States
Classification: Heavy
Uses: Exhibition, Eggs
Egg colour: Tinted
Comb: Single (small)
About: One of America’s oldest domestic breeds and named after the village of Plymouth Rock. A Mr Spaulding from Massachusetts produced the breed around 1860 by crossing a Dominiques with black Java/ black Cochin. This cross is the ancestor cross of the breed, although it "disappeared" for around 20 years emerging again in 1869. Further crossings of Minorca, Cochin cross and Dark Brahma took place across another 3 development stages with the modern Barred Plymouth Rock emerging from this work. The Plymouth Rock is curious, friendly breed, that likes to free range but also tolerates confinement well. Plymouth Rocks are very well suited to a mixed flock, due to their friendly nature. Some females need encouragement to sit, some have a tendency to broodiness.
Bantam weight: Male 1020-1135g; Female 850-960g.
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POLISH (INC FRIZZLED)
WATCH
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Origin: Eastern Europe
Classification: Light
Uses: Exhibition, Eggs
Egg Colours: White
Comb: Horn type and very small if any. Preference given to no comb
About: This ancient breed is of uncertain ancestry although poultry historians believe the Polish chickens were brought from Spain to Holland when the Spaniards occupied the Lowlands. Credit is given to the Dutch for refining the colour patterns and developing the crests. Varieties may be smooth faced, muffled or bearded. The white crested varieties must be smooth without muffling, the laced varieties must be bearded and muffled and all other varieties may be muffled, bearded or smooth faced. Their full crests can make them easily surprised and tending towards the timid side as well as being more prone to attack from aerial predators. The hens are productive egg layers.
Bantam weight: Male 790-910g; Female 680-790g.
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SICILIAN BUTTERCUP
OF CONCERN
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Origin: Mediterranean, Sicily, Italy
Classification: Light
Uses: Eggs, Exhibition
Egg Colour: White
Comb: Saucer shaped cup, beginning at the base of the beak with a single leader and joined to a cup-shaped crown, set firmly on the centre of the skull, surmounted with well-defined and regular points, of medium size and fine texture, free from obvious spikes in the centre or cavity.
About: The Sicilian Buttercup breed is unique on account of its saucer-shaped cup comb. Buttercups were first imported into the United Kingdom before the First World War and they came to Australia between the wars. The breed is known to mature early but the comb takes longer to develop. The birds are active, tending towards wild in nature and are happy in warm climates but tend to suffer frostbite in colder areas. The breed is very rare and seldom seen on the show bench.
Bantam weight: Male 910g-1.02kg; Female 740-850g.
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SPANISH
OF CONCERN
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Origin: Spain
Classification: Light
Uses: Eggs
Egg Colour: White
Comb: Single, red, erect and straight, firm at the base but rather thin at the edge
About: The Spanish breed originated in Spain but was very popular in Britain in the mid nineteenth century, and from around 1825 to 1895 was one of the best known breeds in the United States of America. It was highly regarded as an abundant layer of large, white eggs. Aristocratic in looks, this breed is set apart by its deep, broad white ear lobes and white on its face. Unfortunately breeders began to place more emphasis on breeding for the white face and a loss of hardiness was observed. It wasn't long before the hardier breeds became more popular and the Spanish numbers began to decline. The Breed is considered active, noisy and curious.
Bantam weight: Male 960g-1.075kg; Female 850-960g.
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SULTAN
OF CONCERN
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Origin: Turkey
Classification: Light
Uses: Exhibition
Egg Colour: White
Comb: Very small, consisting of two spikes only, almost hidden by crest
About: The Sultan is an ornamental breed, first found strutting around the Sultan of Constantinople's palace garden. It has been a rare breed since 1854 when some arrived in England, sent to the editor of The Poultry Chronicle, Mrs Elizabeth Watts, by a friend in Constantinople. Legend has it that Sultan chickens were used as living ornaments in the gardens of the Sultans. The breed is unique in that it has more distinguishing features than any other breed, having a V-shped comb, crest, beard muffs, large nostrils,wings carried low, vulture hocks, feathered shanks and toes and five toes on each foot. Sultans are pure white in colour with blue shanks and toes. They are said to be tame and content birds, happier to eat grains and insects than vegetables. The breed is extremely rare in Australia.
Bantam weight: Male 790-910g; Female 625-740g.
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TRANSYLVANIAN NAKED NECK
OF CONCERN
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Origin: Europe, Hungary
Classification: Heavy
Uses: Table, Eggs
Egg Colour: Tinted
Comb: Medium, single, straight and erect, with well formed spikes
About: One of the most unusual looking breeds, the Transylvanian Naked Neck's neck and face are completely devoid of feathers. Although originating in Hungary, it was in Germany that the breed was perfected and the lack of feathering is a dominant gene. The bird has half the number of feathers of other birds making it easier to pluck and more popular as a table bird. They are hardy, vigorous birds with long, elongated bodies and are currently one of the main breeds of the French broiler industry. Easy to tame, they are placid, calm birds and are happy to free range or to be confined, with their weight restricting their flight. The hens are good layers of tinted eggs. Care needs to be taken in colder climates due to the lack of feathering.
Bantam weight: Male 910g-1.135k; Female 680-910g.
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VORWERK
OF CONCERN
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Origin: Germany
Classification: Light
Uses: Table, Eggs
Egg Colour: Cream to Tinted
Comb: Medium size, single, serrated
About: The Vorwerk originates from Hamburg, Germany and was developed around 1900 by Oscar Vorwerk who gave his name to the breed. It has the same belted pattern as the Lakenvelder only with buff replacing the white. They are thought to have been developed from the Lakenvelders, Orpingtons, Ramelslohers and Andalusians and were first shown in 1912. They are good utility birds, powerful and compact with broad backs and a deep, rounded breast. They were nearly lost altogether after the Second World War and are still considered rare. The breed is hardy, adaptable, alert and active with an economical appetite. The hens are good layers of cream coloured eggs.
Bantam weight: Male 800g-1kg; Female 620-750g.
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WELSUMMER
OF CONCERN
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Origin: The Netherlands
Classification: Light
Uses: Eggs, Table
Egg Colour: Brown
Comb: Medium size, upright, firm upright and free from any twists or excess around the nostrils. Five to seven even serrations.
About: The Welsummer was named after the town of its origin, Welsum, in The Netherlands, and has much diversity in its pedigree including the Cochin, Partridge Wyandotte, Partridge Leghorn, Barnevelder and Rhode Island Red. It is a true dual purpose bird producing good meat and large, rich brown eggs, which are sometimes mottled with dark brown spots. They are friendly, easily handled birds who love to free range and forage but are also happy confined in runs. The chicks are strong and easily sexed as the females have much darker head and back markings than the males.
Bantam weight:
Photo courtesy Andrew Brown
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YOKOHAMA
CRITICAL
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Origin: Japan and then Europe
Classification: Light
Uses: Exhibition
Egg Colour: White and Tinted
Comb: Walnut, Medium sized
Facts: The Yokohama was developed in Germany from Japanese ancestral stock in common with the Phoenix. A stunning looking bird, the breed is characterised by its pheasant shaped body, extremely long tail feathers and profuse side hangers. The tail is carried low in a graceful arch. Yokohamas have been known to have tails measuring over one metre in length, which is small compared to their ancestors, who were said to have tails up to twenty-seven feet long. The saddle hackles are also long and abundant, often trailing on the ground in mature males. Imported from Japan to Paris in 1864, the Japanese Long-Tails were named Yokohama after the port city, rather than Minohiki, their breed name in Japan. Some were imported to Germany but of the two shipments, only males survived the trip, necessitating out-crossing to Malay, Phoenix, Common Game and later Sumatra to reinvigorate the breed. The Yokohama is an alert breed and thrives on large estates where they can wander at large. The hens are not known as good layers and tend to go broody after a small number of eggs. The chicks are hardy but require extra protein while their tails are growing.
Bantam weight: Male 680-740g; Female 620-680g
Photo courtesy of Hagen Graebner
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