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Origin
: The oldest evidence of Brakel bantams goes back to 1933. At that time
a trio silver Brakel bantams were entered at a poultry show in Holland.
The origin of these birds was a collaboration between a few breeders in
the North of Belgium (Antwerp region) and a Dutch breeder. Where they
got them or how they created them is unknown. Only in 1952, nineteen
years later, they appeared again. At an exhibition of ‘Het Neerhof’
in Ghent, a Flemish breeder entered eight birds.
Characteristics
: Brakel bantams are very active birds that are best kept in a closed
pen because they can almost fly like pigeons. They are rather heavy
bantams with very good laying qualities. The eggs weigh between 35 and
40 gram and the shells are pure white.
Appearance
: Brakel bantams are a mini-version of large Brakel fowl. So they are
rectangular in shape with a deep breast and abdomen. Most hens weigh
between 800 and 1000 gram and roosters even almost 1,5 kilos. The comb
of the hens should fall over to one side just like in the large breed
but that is often a problem. The eyes are very dark, the earlobes white
and the shanks slate blue.
Varieties
: The typical barring pattern of the large Brakel is much less perfect
in Brakel bantams but the aim is of course to get the same kind of
pattern. The most common varieties are silver and gold. Other recognized
varieties are lemon, white-barred gold, barred white, white, black and blue.
State
: Rare to very rare. In the Northern Dutch-speaking part of Belgium
there are a few breeders left, just like in Holland and Germany. The
variety that we see mostly is silver, gold is much less common but
appears to better in quality. In Holland there are a few white-barred
gold and barred white. These last two varieties
are no longer present in Belgium. The non-barred varieties appear to
have become extinct.
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