The Beautiful Belgian BantamBy Kenneth Ward, Tweed Villa, Haxby, York
(writing in The Feathered World 7 April 1933).
In accordance with the request of our good friends, The Feathered World, I have endeavoured to assist Mr H Hoyle in the production of a coloured plate of the ideals to be arrived at in the production of Belgian Bantams, or "Barbus" (Bearded). The Barbus for exhibition purposes are now confined to the two breeds, d'Uccle and d'Anvers, the former with feathered legs and the latter with their legs devoid of feathers, and the various colours at present exhibited are as follows:-
D'Uccle: Millefleurs, Porcelain, Cailloutés and Blancs. D'Anvers: Coucou, Noirs, Blancs, Millefleurs, Caille, Cailloutés and Bleus. I adhere to the native language for the colours, because in some cases there is no single English word which is adequate, although, of course, noir (black), blanc (white) and bleu (blue) are exceptions.
The general type of the Barbus of both varieties should be the first consideration, and the main points are a very prominent chest, short back, tail approaching the vertical, and with ample pointed-ended sickles in the case of a cock, short leg and well-rounded body, a wedge-shaped comb of helmet fit, no visible wattles, and last, but not least, the peculiar neck hackle and muffing, which latter are very important and characteristic. The peculiar backward sweep of the neck hackle, forming a kind of collar, which is so desirable, is more often found in the d'Anvers than the d'Uccle, and should be carefully fostered. In the case of d'Uccles the beard should fall lower, more like that of the Faverolles.
(writing in The Feathered World 7 April 1933).
In accordance with the request of our good friends, The Feathered World, I have endeavoured to assist Mr H Hoyle in the production of a coloured plate of the ideals to be arrived at in the production of Belgian Bantams, or "Barbus" (Bearded). The Barbus for exhibition purposes are now confined to the two breeds, d'Uccle and d'Anvers, the former with feathered legs and the latter with their legs devoid of feathers, and the various colours at present exhibited are as follows:-
D'Uccle: Millefleurs, Porcelain, Cailloutés and Blancs. D'Anvers: Coucou, Noirs, Blancs, Millefleurs, Caille, Cailloutés and Bleus. I adhere to the native language for the colours, because in some cases there is no single English word which is adequate, although, of course, noir (black), blanc (white) and bleu (blue) are exceptions.
The general type of the Barbus of both varieties should be the first consideration, and the main points are a very prominent chest, short back, tail approaching the vertical, and with ample pointed-ended sickles in the case of a cock, short leg and well-rounded body, a wedge-shaped comb of helmet fit, no visible wattles, and last, but not least, the peculiar neck hackle and muffing, which latter are very important and characteristic. The peculiar backward sweep of the neck hackle, forming a kind of collar, which is so desirable, is more often found in the d'Anvers than the d'Uccle, and should be carefully fostered. In the case of d'Uccles the beard should fall lower, more like that of the Faverolles.
