Dutch Bantam

The Dutch Bantam is a true bantam, which means there is no large counterpart of this breed.

The breed was recorded in the 1850's and has been recognized since the beginning of the 20th century by the Dutch Poultry Standards authority.

The Dutch Bantam originated in Holland, and first appeared in Britain in the late 1960s, and has since gone from strength to strength. Thirteen colours are standardized in Britain, with many more in Holland. 

They are short bodied with a medium to high carriage. Breed characteristics are blue legs, white earlobes and single upright well serrated comb. The most popular colour is gold partridge, other colours are recognized with a choice of 13 colours plus new colours coming along.

Unusually, for a bantam, they lay a large number of eggs. The white to light tinted eggs weigh between 30-35 grams (1oz - 1.25ozs). 

The Standard weight for Dutch Bantams is between 1lb to 1lb-4ozs making them one of the smallest bantams.

Dutch bantams are popular both as exhibition birds and pets, with their upright and jaunty appearance and active nature making them very appealing. Dutch reproduce very well, and although the females will sit their own eggs and in my opinion, make very good mothers ,  most breeders incubate as the breed lays mostly in the late-spring and summer months.

more information can be obtained on this lovely breed of poultry by visiting the UK Dutch club web site

http://www.dutchbantamclub.org