Thürigian Bearded Bantam (Critically Endangered Breed)

[LoveMyPeepers]

I think what you are doing is amazing! Seems like a wonderful breed, their pretty too. I'd be interested in getting some in the future.

 

[Amer]

Happy new years y'all!!! I'm currently talking with a breeder who breeds Gold Duckwing Thüringer bantams because I'm looking into getting around 12 or more hatching eggs in early March! I'm hoping to start a small breeding flock of a few different color varieties in the bantam form like Baby Bees, Gold Duckwing, Barred, and maybe even Buff since those are some of the more rare color varieties! Getting these started and going strong are my goals with this breed for 2026!!! Hopefully in the end of the summer I'll be able to start getting hatching eggs into the states!!!

I'm also talking with another person who breeds the barred color to show quality and proper breed standard! Their birds are just beautiful!!!View attachment 4277206View attachment 4277207View attachment 4277208

That's wonderful! Barred bearded birds are adorable in my opinion.

 

[Sir Sacabambaspis]

ONE OF THE HENS LAID THEIR FIRST EGG!!!

 

[Sir Sacabambaspis]

I'm gonna let them lay 5 eggs or so before I start collecting for my incubator since I find it helps boost fertility rates when hens get back into laying. When they've gone a while without laying usually the first 5 or so eggs seem to usually be infertile or die early for some reason. Weird little thing I've noticed over the years!

 

[ChickenCameFirst]

Man, he is just so cute!

 

[ChickenCameFirst]

I need a recap. So, you’re using the mixed bantams to try and breed project bird and using them to get closer to breeding standards, right? Sounds useful as it can help increase the gene pool of such an endangered breed. Though, it does carry its drawbacks, as outcrossing always does. Have you considered trying d’uccles? Very similar faces as well as behavior. A big thing is the feathered feet, though depending on the quality of birds, that wouldn’t be too bad lol
Is your handsome little guy spangled? What genetics make up his colors? I’m not really familiar with spangled genes, but if you trying to breed true for color as well, the mottling on Mille Fleur D’uccles could be handy.
D’uccle face for fun

 

[Sir Sacabambaspis]

I need a recap. So, you’re using the mixed bantams to try and breed project bird and using them to get closer to breeding standards, right?

Yup! Especially my mixed bantam hen with a beard!

Sounds useful as it can help increase the gene pool of such an endangered breed. Though, it does carry its drawbacks, as outcrossing always does. Have you considered trying d’uccles? Very similar faces as well as behavior. A big thing is the feathered feet, though depending on the quality of birds, that wouldn’t be too bad lol

I've considered that! Unfortunately I can't find any purebred bantams in my region of Italy other than the occasional phoenix or two here and there. If I happy to find d'uccles I'll definitely try getting a hen or two!

Is your handsome little guy spangled? What genetics make up his colors? I’m not really familiar with spangled genes, but if you trying to breed true for color as well, the mottling on Mille Fleur D’uccles could be handy.
D’uccle face for fun

Yup! Dominant white, Birchen, the Pattern Gene, and Columbian if I'm not wrong. I probably missed a few

 

[Sir Sacabambaspis]

I need a recap. So, you’re using the mixed bantams to try and breed project bird and using them to get closer to breeding standards, right? Sounds useful as it can help increase the gene pool of such an endangered breed. Though, it does carry its drawbacks, as outcrossing always does. Have you considered trying d’uccles? Very similar faces as well as behavior. A big thing is the feathered feet, though depending on the quality of birds, that wouldn’t be too bad lol
Is your handsome little guy spangled? What genetics make up his colors? I’m not really familiar with spangled genes, but if you trying to breed true for color as well, the mottling on Mille Fleur D’uccles could be handy.
D’uccle face for fun

That hen is adorable btw!!!

 

[ChickenCameFirst]

I must’ve missed something. You’re in Italy? I could’ve swore you said something about living in Texas, but I must be wrong. Makes sense though as you mentioned getting eggs in Germany and that they're hard to find outside of the EU.

 

[ChickenCameFirst]

Sounds like even if you found some Millies, you’d still have some work to do. They do have the columbian and mottled genes, though they’re usually duckwing or partridge based depending on where you get them. I’m actually in the starting stages of breeding new colors into d’uccles. Got plans for some duckwing based patterns. I’d definitely try breeding spangled into d’uccles if I had a bird like yours!
Is it hard to get birds or eggs across borders in Europe? I’m American, so I’m unfamiliar with how it is across the pond.