Black Breasted Red Old English Bantam

The Black Breasted Red Old English Bantam is a stunning and classic variety of the Old English Game bantam, known for its vibrant coloration and energetic, confident personality. It’s a popular choice among poultry enthusiasts due to its beauty, boldness, and historic roots. Here’s a closer look at this captivating breed:

Appearance:

• Feather Color: The Black Breasted Red Old English Bantam is famous for its striking color pattern. The male (rooster) features rich, black feathers on its back, tail, and wings, contrasted with a fiery red breast, hackles, and body. The female (hen) has a more subdued version of this coloring, with reddish-brown and black feathers. This vibrant contrast makes the breed visually stunning and a favorite in poultry shows.
• Size: As a bantam breed, the Black Breasted Red Old English Bantam is small and compact. Roosters usually weigh around 22-26 ounces (625-750 grams), and hens are slightly lighter. Their small size makes them ideal for ornamental purposes and smaller backyard spaces.
• Body Type: This breed has a slim, upright, and athletic build, characteristic of Old English Game bantams. They have a proud, alert posture, displaying their energetic and agile nature. The breed has a graceful body, with a striking presence in any flock.
• Comb: The Black Breasted Red Old English Bantam has a small, upright single comb, which is bright red. The comb contrasts beautifully with the bird’s striking plumage, adding to its elegant appearance.

Personality:

• Temperament: The Black Breasted Red Old English Bantam is active, energetic, and confident. These bantams are known for their boldness and alertness. Roosters can be territorial and assertive, while hens are generally more docile but still spirited and lively. Their independent nature makes them fascinating to observe and adds a lively energy to any flock.
• Hardiness: The Black Breasted Red Old English Bantam is generally hardy but may need extra care in colder climates, as bantams are typically more vulnerable to extreme weather. Providing them with proper shelter and protection from the cold is essential for maintaining their health.
• Social: These bantams are social but can sometimes be flighty or independent. They do best in smaller flocks where they have enough space to explore and express their energetic nature. Roosters may show some territorial behavior, but they are typically not overly aggressive. Hens are active but more peaceful in nature.

Egg Production:

• Eggs: The Black Breasted Red Old English Bantam is not known for prolific egg production. They typically lay small white eggs, and their egg-laying ability is moderate compared to larger breeds. This breed is mainly valued for its beauty, agility, and ornamental qualities rather than its egg-laying capabilities.
• Broodiness: Like many bantam breeds, the Black Breasted Red Old English Bantam can sometimes go broody, but they are not particularly reliable mothers. They are typically kept for their stunning appearance and energetic personalities rather than for hatching eggs.

Care Requirements:

• Housing: The Black Breasted Red Old English Bantam needs a secure, well-ventilated coop to protect it from predators. Since they are highly active, they require a spacious run or yard where they can roam and explore. Providing them with enough space is important to satisfy their energetic nature.
• Diet: These bantams require a balanced diet that includes high-quality poultry feed, fresh water, and occasional treats like mealworms, vegetables, and greens. A healthy diet helps maintain their energy and agility.
• Space: Despite their small size, Black Breasted Red Old English Bantams are very active birds that need plenty of space to roam and explore. A large run or yard is ideal to allow them to engage in their natural behaviors, such as foraging and running.

Popularity:

The Black Breasted Red Old English Bantam is a classic and popular variety among poultry enthusiasts, especially those interested in ornamental and exhibition chickens. Their stunning appearance and bold personalities make them a favorite in poultry shows. Though not prolific egg layers, these bantams are prized for their beauty and energetic nature, making them a valuable addition to ornamental flocks.

Summary:

The Black Breasted Red Old English Bantam is a beautiful and energetic breed, known for its striking red and black plumage and lively personality. While not prolific egg layers, they are highly valued for their beauty, agility, and confident nature. This bantam is perfect for ornamental flocks, poultry exhibitions, or anyone looking to add an active and stunning bird to their collection.

Black Breasted Red Old English Bantam