The Belgian Bantam

by Khris Abuid

 

There are three types of Belgians available in Australia at the moment. There is the Barbu d'Uccle, which is a crested and feather legged bird, the Barbu d'Anvers, which is a rose combed, clean-legged bird and lastly the Barbu d'Watermael, which has a tri pointed comb and is clean legged. All the birds have a beard and whiskers. There are three other varieties of Belgian Bantams that are not available (as yet) in this country, they are the Barbu du Grubbe which is a rumples d'Anver and the Barbu d'Everberg which is a rumpless d'Uccle and Barbu Bosvoorde, rumpless d'Watermael.

All sorts of rumours abound, as to how the Belgian Bantam started in Australia, but about the only thing certain is that they started here approximately 3 decades ago. It is believed that they started with Millefleur and from there the other colours have been bred up. There has been Pekin used in the breed to help with the colours and in the case of the d'Watermael there is Polish used in the recreation of one strain and Arucana used in the other strain. Both strains are still being developed.

The Belgian Bantam is a TRUE bantam, of which is there is no full sized equivalent. The bird is a cobby bird and should not be too large. When the male matures, he tends to drop his wings, which should just touch the ground, and in the case of the Quail colour, it appears that he has a waistcoat on.

The Barbu d'Anver is known to have been around in the seventeenth century. While Booted Bantams were also around at that time, but the Barbu d'Uccle was not seen around until the start of the twentieth century and Michel van Gelder is credited with its creation. It is believed that they were created using Booted, Japanese (Chabo) and d'Anvers. Antoione Dresse is credited with the recreation of the d'Watermael in the early twentieth century.

In Europe today, the Barbu d'Anvers has it's own club, and is not considered Rare. While the other types are being maintained under the umbrella of ZOBK, which is a club dedicated to TRUE Bantams of Belgium. There are 8 breeds covered by this club, of which 2 are available in Australia. Those being, the Barbu d'Uccle and the Barbu d'Watermael. This group formed in 1971 to save the d'Watermael from being lost completely, and 16 years on and the numbers of d'Watermael were starting to look healthy so they took on the other 7 Rare Belgian breeds. It is ironic that even in the home country for this breed, they are in a very bad way for numbers. The Barbu d'Uccle is regarded, as very Rare over there as is the d'Everberg and d'Grubbe.

One of the biggest features of the breed is the variety of colours that are available, from the straight solid colours through to the most intricate of colour as in the Porcelaine. The Millefleur would be the most popular colour, being Orange-red to Mahogany-red in colour with each feather having a black triangular tip, and a white pea shaped spot on the tip. The Porcelaine is a dilute of the Millefleur with the Mahogany red being turned buff, the black to Lavender and the white pea shaped tip remains white. The Blue in the Belgian is an Andalusian Blue, being a slate blue in colour with a dark Lacing on the edge of each feather. It does not necessarily breed to a true and consistent colour. The Lavender in the Belgian is also known as Reynolds Blue and unlike the Blue (Andalusian Blue) breeds true to colour. Other colours available are Black, White, Black Mottle (which has white tips on each feather) Lavender Mottle (as with Black Mottle), Blue Mottle, Silver Millefleur (white bird with black triangle on the end of each feather and a white pea shaped tip) Ermine, Fawn Ermine (Buff Columbian) Quail, Blue Quail, Silver Quail, Lavender Quail, Silver Porcelaine, Blue Millefleur, Cream, Blue Silver Quail, Lavender Silver Quail, Gold Laced, Silver Laced, Partridge, Splashed, Splashed Quail and Buff Mottled.

Out of the three types, the d'Anvers would be the most flighty and highly strung. The d'Uccle on the other hand is generally a quiet passive bird, although there are the exceptions to that rule. And the d'Watermael is much like the d'Uccle, but again there are exceptions.

As you can see, there is a variety of types and an even larger variety of colours. Not all of the colours are available in each of the types, nor for that matter are they all available here in Australia, but with effort can be. Another point of interest is the fact that in Victoria the d'Uccle would be by far the most popular type of Belgian kept, yet in NSW the d'Anvers is the more popular. In the last 5 years the birds have gained a lot in popularity and it is to be hoped that this trend continues.

For those considering a breed that is small, easy to handle and with a little care, low maintenance consider the Belgian Bantam.

For more information on the Belgian Bantam, take a look at the Belgian Bantam Club of Australia's Website at: http://www4.tpg.com.au/channan
or contact
The Secretary of The Belgian Bantam Club of Australia
Mrs Irene Hannan
'Mountainview'
Caparra via Wingham
NSW 2429

Ph: 02 6550 7295
channan@tpgi.com.au

Last updated 4 January 2002