A Family Guide To Keeping Chickens (19 page)
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Authors: Anne Perdeaux
Barbu d’Anvers – quail colour
There are three main varieties of these charming little birds.
The Barbu d’Anvers (or Antwerp Bearded Bantam) has generous muffling
and beard but no leg feathers. It comes in many colours, lays a fair number of white eggs and is likely to go broody.
Barbu d’Uccle – millefleur
The Barbu d’Uccle is also bearded and muffled but has feathered feet and legs. It too comes in a range of colours, the most popular being millefleur. This consists of deep orange feathers with a black and white pattern – as the name suggests, like a thousand flowers. The d’Uccle also lays a reasonable amount of white eggs and is likely to go broody.
The Barbu du Watermael is the smallest, being similar to the d’Anvers but more delicate looking. It comes in a vast range of colours and makes a good pet, but doesn’t lay many eggs and frequently goes broody.
Barbu du Watermael cockerel – quail colour
Another pretty little chicken with abundant leg and feet feathers, this bantam is also known as the Sabelpoot and is available in a large choice of colours. It makes an ideal pet for children but isn’t a great layer and often goes broody.
Booted Bantams – lemon millefleur
Lavender Pekin Bantam
These cuddly bantams are one of the most popular breeds for children. They seem to enjoy human company but can be surprisingly feisty with other chickens, fearlessly taking on much larger breeds. Pekins are widely available in many colours. Their fluffy feathers come down to their feathered feet so they are better kept in dry conditions, although they appreciate a chance to forage in the garden. They lay a reasonable number of eggs and are enthusiastic broodies.
Mainly kept for showing or as pets, the defining feature of this attractive bantam is the ‘rose comb’ – a flat knobbly comb, finishing in a spike. They have distinctive white ear lobes and carry their wings elegantly low.These bantams are easy to tame and enjoy roaming around (they are good fliers), although they can also be kept in a pen.They are less likely to go broody than some bantams, but their eggs are small and they don’t lay very many.
Rosecomb Bantam
This is a particularly eye-catching bantam, available as silver- or gold-laced (white or gold feathers with black borders). They are delightful characters but won’t supply many eggs. They enjoy foraging in the garden but are able to fly well. This breed is susceptible to Marek’s disease so make sure they have been vaccinated before buying. They are difficult to breed successfully and only go broody occasionally.
Silver-laced Sebright Bantam
This breed is becoming more popular in the UK and is included because it is the smallest breed of chicken in the world, so may be suitable if space is limited. In their native Malaysia Seramas are sometimes kept in the house and although fairly hardy, they need some protection in cold weather. Eggs are tiny (five are equivalent to one standard egg) and not very plentiful. Hens will occasionally go broody. They are confident, friendly birds, easy to tame. The breed club website says the Serama is often described as a ‘living work of art’.
Serama Bantam
Chickens Don’t Always Follow the Rules!
There are so many different types of chicken to choose from that it should be easy to find one that will exactly suit your requirements – except chickens can break the rules whenever they like.
Although chickens usually conform to their stereotypes, there can be variations, so you should be prepared for the unexpected. ‘Shadow’, my friendly Leghorn, was always under my feet, although her sister displayed the normal aloof nature of this breed. Obnoxious Orpingtons, non-sitting Silkies and easy-going game fowl probably exist too.
When my Appenzeller (one of the lightest, flightiest, non-sitting breeds) disappeared, we feared the worst. She was discovered sitting on a nest of twelve eggs, all of which she hatched and raised as proudly as any Mother Hen. True, she didn’t tolerate any slackers and the chicks grew up to be tough, independent little birds, keen foragers, who insisted on roosting in the trees. All of which are Appenzeller characteristics . . .
Finding Out More
Once you have decided which types of chicken are likely to be suitable, try to find out some more about them.
There is a dedicated breed club for most breeds (those without a club are looked after by the Rare Poultry Society). Contact the relevant club for information, advice and help with finding breeders. The Poultry Club of Great Britain has contact details for breed clubs (see Further Reference).
Visit one or two suppliers to look at the different varieties they have available. The breeder will be able to advise you on their characteristics and suitability for your requirements.
A poultry encyclopaedia or internet search will provide useful pictures and information but it’s better if you can see the actual birds.