Large fowl

Origin: Holland

Classification: Heavy, soft feather

Egg colour: Brown

Weight: Large fowl; male 3.2 – 3.6kg, female 2.7 – 3.2kg. Bantam; male 910g max, female 740g max.

History

Imported from the Barnevelder region of Holland in about 1921. Dark brown eggs are one of its main attractions. Originally there were several different markings, but later two varieties were standardised; the double-laced and partridge, although the former is the most popular.

Characteristics

Male

Carriage: alert, upright, well-balanced, body appears compressed and the back concave.

Type: body of medium length, deep and broad shoulders and high-set saddle. Breast and rump deep, broad and full. Wings rather short and carried high. Tail full and graceful, with uniform sweep.

Head: carried high on neat skull. Beak short and full. Eyes very bold, bright and prominent. Comb single, upright, of medium size and well serrated, with a firm base, the heel to follow the neck. Face smooth and as free from feathers as possible. Ear-lobes long. Wattles of medium size.

Neck: fairly long, full and carried erect.

Legs and feet: thighs and shanks of medium length to give symmetry. Shanks and feet free from feathers. Toes, four, well spread.

Plumage: fairly tight and of nice texture.

Female

Similar to the male, allowing for normal sexual differences.

Colours

Black, double laced, partridge, silver (not standard in bantams).

In both sexes and all colours, beak yellow with dark point (in the silver, horn). Eyes orange, comb, face, wattles and ear-lobes red. Legs and feet yellow.

Defects

Minor; white in undercolour, flights, tails, wings, sickles or fluff.

Serious; white in lobes, squirrel tail, feathered legs or toes, side sprigs on comb. Crooked toes, roach back, seriously deformed breastbones, more than four toes on each foot, black legs.