Barbu de Watermael Bantam
The Barbu de Watermael is a breed of bantam Chickens from Belgium. It is a true Bantam and always crested, rose-combed, and clean-legged. The Barbu de Watermael was initially developed in the town of Watermael-Boitsfort in Belgium, from which it takes its name. The name literally means “the Bearded Chicken from Watermael”.
The Barbu de Watermael is closely related to the Barbu d’Anvers, but is different with its small, backswept crest of feathers. It’s being raised almost exclusively as an ornamental fowl and as a pet too. A lot of color-varieties of plumage are also recognized for the Barbu de Watermael, but those usually seen are black, brown-red, buff-columbian, cuckoo, quail and white. The other colors are rare, and some are in the hands of only one breeder.
Barbu de Watermael hens are seasonable layers of small creamy-white eggs (around 100 eggs per year). They go broody very easily, and make exceptionally good mothers indeed. There is a tailless variety for the Barbu de Watermael called the ‘Barbu de Boitsfort’, which has the same aspects and standards.
Place of origin | Belgium |
Use | Ornamental |
Weight | Male: 600 – 700 g female: 450 – 550 g |
Comb type | Rose comb |
Skin color | White |
Egg color | Creamy white |