The Fabulous Booted Bantam Chicken
The Booted Bantam chicken is as exotic as an orchid. People think of orchids as fabulously beautiful plants that only experts can grow, when they are actually pretty easy. In a similar way, these strikingly beautiful bantams are prized as exhibition fowl and fairly rare, but they are also kept as pets all over Europe and in many other countries.
This breed is a true bantam, which means that it is not a miniature version of a larger breed, as many bantams are. Some say that these chickens were in the Netherlands as early as the 1500s, though others credit a later breeder in Belgium. It is a tiny bird, weighing less than two pounds for roosters and just over a pound and a half for hens. The American standard is smaller than these limits, which are rules for British breeders.
No matter where it came from, this tiny fowl is rare but valued as a pet and an exhibition bird all over Europe and in many other countries. The British poultry standards limit the weight of a mature cock to under two pounds, while the American standards call for even smaller birds.
Poultry standards are both interesting and necessary. While breeders have developed over twenty colors that will ‘breed true’, the official standards only admit eleven in Britain and seventeen in the United States. The standards are designed to keep show birds true not only in color and feathering but also to the physical characteristics that have been shown to be best for healthy and productive poultry flocks. For instance, there is a broad backed and high breasted shape that makes for a good layer, and that is one thing that judges look for.
While these extremely beautiful chickens are bred for showing, they make great pets. They are not hardy so need to be protected from the cold, but otherwise are good foragers and easy to keep in the outside garden. The people who have had them say their fluffy feet, the ‘boots’ that give them their name, keep them from scratching up gardens as much as most domestic fowl. The cocks are proud but if hand raised are neither timid or aggressive around children or adults. In fact, many love to be picked up and will stand around close so you can admire them.
The many different colors are all dramatic, with the Millefleur being the most popular. Even in this category, there are variations, however. The patterns and colors truly have to be seen to be believed, so check the poultry catalogs, online sites about fancy chickens, and club websites. The cocks have big, red, upright combs with five sharp points and red ears and wattles as well. Their wings sweep down and back, at the same angle as their dramatic hock feathers. They stand very upright and their fully-feathered tail stick up, too. The whole effect is perky.
There are clubs around the world for fanciers of these chickens, where you can find breeders of show quality birds. National hatcheries will ship chicks in the spring, and many of them have rare birds such as these. Shows are held at every state and county fair and there will be special poultry shows as well. The birds are not much for meat, although what they have is well proportioned, but the hens lay readily and love to hatch out babies and care for them industriously.
The Booted Bantam chicken must be seen to be believed. Not only are their feathers and colors gorgeous, but their upright shape and perky feathers make them very appealing.
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