Dutch Bantams Breed Thread

[JeanR]

Oh dear, Nothing Dutch about this young bird! Looks more like a Modern OEBantam, long legs, no body shape, tight plumage--and further, ALL Black dutch are made from other breeds, mainly Black Rosecombs. White ear lobes do not make a bantam, Dutch!
Several breeders in the US, have worked for YEARS for correct Dutch in Black, and there are quite a few very nice females, now seen, but no males that do not look more Rosecomb than Dutch.


There are now Black OEGB that look more Dutch than OEGB????Cross breeding can make a few proper individuals of the breeds used, but they cannot reproduce their TYPE of their breed--even years of work with them!

Here is a Black pullet and cockerel, both in Holland, and a pair of the very few Dutch in Black that are bred in pretty good TYPE. The pullet does not have a really balanced tail, but otherwise is a lovely bird. The cockerel has a Rosecomb tail, but does have nice saddle (not seen in most Black males! And is a MUST, for DUTCH males of any variety).

Enjoy your little ones. ...And Dutch mature very early, pullets are usually laying at 4-4 1/2 months and may be ready to Show at 5 months, in good plumage maturity (not all, of course). Cockerel can take up to a year to be in full plumage, but may be ready to breed at 3-4 months, some "early birds"! But best to wait for more mature type and plumage to exhibit, to know that they are worth production of lovely offspring.

Good luck--and IF you need DUTCH, breeders are the best place to locate lovely varieties of true DUTCH.

 

[AmandaMBG]

I think you're replying to me... Ya it was a bantam in an assorted bin I picked up. Found out they are from Welp Hatchery. I definitely agree that it looks more like an OEGB but it is definitely what they sell as Dutch. I'm not too worried about it. Was more curious than anything. Glad to hear they mature early. She shows no signs of being a rooster but it was making me nervous how red her comb is if they did mature at 12 months. I got her with a little grey bantam that ended up being a gorgeous blue rose comb. They are inseparable. Basically their own mini flock with the flock of non bantam chickens.

Oh dear, Nothing Dutch about this young bird! Looks more like a Modern OEBantam, long legs, no body shape, tight plumage--and further, ALL Black dutch are made from other breeds, mainly Black Rosecombs. White ear lobes do not make a bantam, Dutch! Several breeders in the US, have worked for YEARS for correct Dutch in Black, and there are quite a few very nice females, now seen, but no males that do not look more Rosecomb than Dutch. There are now Black OEGB that look more Dutch than OEGB????Cross breeding can make a few proper individuals of the breeds used, but they cannot reproduce their TYPE of their breed--even years of work with them! Here is a Black pullet and cockerel, both in Holland, and a pair of the very few Dutch in Black that are bred in pretty good TYPE. The pullet does not have a really balanced tail, but otherwise is a lovely bird. The cockerel has a Rosecomb tail, but does have nice saddle (not seen in most Black males! And is a MUST, for DUTCH males of any variety). Enjoy your little ones. ...And Dutch mature very early, pullets are usually laying at 4-4 1/2 months and may be ready to Show at 5 months, in good plumage maturity (not all, of course). Cockerel can take up to a year to be in full plumage, but may be ready to breed at 3-4 months, some "early birds"! But best to wait for more mature type and plumage to exhibit, to know that they are worth production of lovely offspring. Good luck--and IF you need DUTCH, breeders are the best place to locate lovely varieties of true DUTCH.

 

[5toez]

 

[5toez]

I think you're replying to me... Ya it was a bantam in an assorted bin I picked up. Found out they are from Welp Hatchery. I definitely agree that it looks more like an OEGB but it is definitely what they sell as Dutch. I'm not too worried about it. Was more curious than anything. Glad to hear they mature early. She shows no signs of being a rooster but it was making me nervous how red her comb is if they did mature at 12 months. I got her with a little grey bantam that ended up being a gorgeous blue rose comb. They are inseparable. Basically their own mini flock with the flock of non bantam chickens.

 

[5toez]

It's mission impossible to find a quality breeder in the US....I've been trying for months. Either they don't have birds anymore, or they snub you with no response

 

[JeanR]

Old age, after 30 years with Dutch Bantams, means no more hatching. Last birds will be shipped when weather is favorable. Some folks have driven across the country rather than having their birds shipped, and it is great to meet the people who get your birds--every bird is one I would like to keep--
I have inquiries every week and if I know of someone, someplace with suitable Dutch., I try to put them in contact. This week, it was from Virginia (and a grandson of a person I sent Dutch to in British Columbia at least 20 years ago!) I have a record of every bird sold--but badly filed now. Now, I have a few eggs, but simply cannot hatch any more. And I will keep a few less than Show-hens for eggs, as I still eat 2 bantam eggs for breakfast every morning. And I bred a cross variety pair, will keep the cockerel, for his "music" (the crow that some folks do not like to hear!_) Sadly,next year, if I am still here, will not have enough eggs for several little children who love them for Easter Eggs,--fun to decorate and not too large for a little child to EAT an Easter Egg. Or for neighbors who brings me fish--and I used to give them eggs! It has been a wonderful project, and I am sure I would not have lived so long, without the Dutch Bantams, their care and STUDY, trips to Holland, other European countries and UK, to visit Dutch breeders, attend Shows (with up to 500 Dutch Bantams entered). The friends via email (one of the best geneticists is in Australia) sharing pictures)

Your inquires should include just what you are looking fr--pets? (you have one now), Show/breeding birds?. The variety you seek?. Your climate and management?. (I do not sell to folks who keep their birds in cages--or free range unprotected from varmints, weather etc. ) My website is badly out of date, my daughter does it for me, and I just haven't given her update information, as I have had more inquiries than I ever had birds to sell. And a number of folks come back for more, or a different variety.

They are out there, and demand far exceeds supply......good luck--and most all bantams (big birds, too) are a pleasure whatever they are!!!

 

[5toez]

Old age, after 30 years with Dutch Bantams, means no more hatching.   Last birds will be shipped when weather is favorable.  Some folks have driven across the country rather than having their birds shipped, and it is great to meet the people who get your birds--every bird is one I would like to keep--
I have inquiries every week and if I know of someone, someplace with suitable Dutch., I try to put them in contact.   This week, it was from Virginia (and a grandson of a person I sent Dutch to in British Columbia at least 20 years ago!)  I have a record of every bird sold--but badly filed now.   Now,  I have a few eggs, but simply cannot hatch any more.  And I will keep a few less than Show-hens  for eggs, as I still eat 2 bantam eggs for breakfast every morning.   And I bred a cross variety pair, will keep the cockerel, for his "music" (the crow that some folks do not like to hear!_) Sadly,next year, if I am still here,  will not have enough eggs for several little children who love them for Easter Eggs,--fun to decorate and not too large for a little child to EAT an Easter Egg.   Or for  neighbors who brings me fish--and I used to give them eggs! It has been a wonderful project, and I am sure I would not have lived so long, without the Dutch Bantams, their care and STUDY,  trips to Holland, other European countries and UK, to visit Dutch breeders, attend Shows (with up to 500 Dutch Bantams entered).  The friends via email (one of the best geneticists is in Australia)  sharing pictures) 

Your inquires should include just what you are looking fr--pets? (you have one now), Show/breeding birds?.   The variety you seek?.  Your climate and management?.  (I do not sell to folks who keep their birds in cages--or free range unprotected from varmints, weather etc. )             My website is badly out of date, my daughter does it for me, and I just haven't given her update information, as I have had more inquiries than I ever had birds to sell.  And a number of folks come back for more, or a different variety.

They are out there, and demand far exceeds supply......good luck--and most all bantams (big birds, too) are a pleasure whatever they are!!! 

well jean, I am looking for a nice pair of light brown show quality Dutch ! With superior Dutch type and color.loose feathers, perfect combs, bright white earlobes, short backs and legs, everything else in between. I guess I jumped into Dutch without doing any research first....so now I have hatchery birds. Which are lovely birds but not what I wanted. I thought I would be able to pick a couple good birds out of the 25 I ordered, but found out they're crosses. My birds are my personal pets, and one day I want them to be my pride and joy.ive always been interested in old heritage breeds, and rare breeds. I've had silver gray Dorkings for the last five years, and this year I decided to try the Dutch. I live in a small farming town in southern Minnesota and my coops with outside runs are at my best friends house close by, but my space is VERY limited. So I'm going to slowly switch everything over to bantams. I built a double breeding coop for two bantam pairs or trios that I keep in my garage! My 3 special hatchery Dutch are in my garage as we speak ! They are super tame and love sitting on my shoulder or head hahaha. But I would like to show them, breed them,and eventually provide show quality birds for others to enjoy! I'm having a VERY hard time finding any....in fact...I haven't. Zero...I even went to some swaps and a couple shows

 

[jerry59]

I have two dutch bantam hens thet are the sweetest tamest of all our birds. Which include silkies, barred rocks, buff orpingtons, austrolorpes, and easter eggers. We live in wichita kansas where the tempeture varies greatly. In the winter it can get into the single digits at night and be in the forties the next day. What should I do for my dutch bantams.

 

[5toez]

Finally, found me some nice lb Dutch, descendants of Holland imports...i get them Sept. 10th, can't wait

 

[JeanR]

Good news! Hope they are as represented!!!!! Enjoy seeing pictures of any Dutch, not to critique, but just to see the Dutch. Pictures are hard to show the true bird. They seldom cooperate, lighting is not best, not in best plumage, just happy when a good picture is obtained!

Still waiting for weather to ship my last 3 available birds, a cock and 2 cockerels. 3 cockerels left yesterday, drove out for them, one to be delivered to another chap on the way. Wish the Society was active again--will help with some Newsletters when the canning/freezing season is over! And their Website will soon be updated, so information will be there for those who seek--varieties, rules for breeding.

And earlobes? Should start turning WHITE by 7-10 weeks and best will be pure white by 4-months. If they take longer (as we used to wait for 6 months to hope for loss of the OEGB domination, of the earliest crosses that dominated the dutch of the 1990s), they may still be carrying those long ago genes for earlobes! Well selected breeding birds from LBs from last Holland imports (1999-2002) should not give worry about correct earlobes. Other varieties may have long ago crosses that will still carry some red in the ear lobes?? Our ABA and APA standards allow a bit of red--HOLLAND does not. I tried to keep correct Holland standard DUTCH. What others who obtained birds from me have done in the past years--is not known. It is easy to lose what you worked for for years, via others breeding birds obtained--still, it is a good way to go! Best of luck with your new birds.

And do not think you can improve your crossbreds by using your new Dutch!!!!! They do not get better, they waste and RUIN the GOOD QUALITIES by adding the wrong genes. NO, that is not how to improve crosses. You will lose what you want to breed. By inbreeding, then close breeding,

develops lines of dominant best qualities. Takes records and at least 3 pens of a variety to keep your Dutch--- DUTCH .Hope you will be on your way to be a DUTCH bantam breeder!


Pictures: U.S. second generation, bred from an import--and a winning LB in a show in Holland--maybe a relative??:
Best enjoyment of your new birds!!!!