Brabanter Chicken Breed – Origin, Traits & Facts

Brabanter

The Brabanter is a Dutch breed of crested chicken originating in the historic region of Brabant which straddles Belgium and the Netherlands. It is an ancient breed and is shown in 17th-century paintings. A bantam Brabanter was created in around 1934.

Habitat

The Brabanter is well-suited to temperate climates found in the historic region of Brabant. It thrives in environments that provide ample space for foraging and can adapt to both free-range and confined living conditions. The breed is mainly found in Belgium and the Netherlands but can be kept in similar environments worldwide.

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Characteristics

Size40-50 cm

Wing Span60-75 cm

Male Weight2.5 kg

Female Weight2 kg

Life Expectancy7 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 4/5

Useful to know

The Brabanter is known for its distinctive crest and beard, which make it stand out in a flock. It is a hardy breed, known to do well in colder climates. The Brabanter is also notable for its friendly disposition, making it a suitable choice for backyard flocks.

Behaviour

TemperamentCalm and friendly

Flightinesslow

Foraging Abilitygood

Confinement Tolerance

Brabanters can adapt well to confinement but prefer to have enough space to roam and forage. They are active birds and benefit from a free-range environment where they can explore.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

Egg Characteristics

Egg Color

Egg Size

Laying Frequency

Egg Production / Year

Start Laying Age (weeks)

Combattant de Bruges

The Brugse Vechter, French: Combattant de Bruges, is an endangered Belgian breed of gamecock. It dates from the early nineteenth century, and was bred specifically for cock-fighting. It named for its area of origin, that of the city of Bruges (Brugge), in West Flanders in the north-east of Belgium. It is one of three Belgian breeds of fighting-cock, the others being the Luikse Vechter and the Tiense Vechter. It is a hardy breed, but the birds are often aggressive; those reared for exhibition may show less aggression.

Coucou des Flandres

The Coucou des Flandres, Dutch: Vlaamse Koekoek, is an endangered Belgian breed of domestic chicken. It may have a common origin with the Malines from the area of Mechelen, in the province of Antwerp in Flanders, or may indeed represent the original type of that breed before it was cross-bred in the nineteenth century with various different types of imported Oriental chicken. By the time of the First World War it had disappeared; it was re-created in the years before the Second World War. It is critically endangered in Belgium, but more numerous in Picardy in France. It may also be known as the Poulet de Dendre, for the Dender river in its area of origin.

Malines

The Malines, Dutch: Mechelse Koekoek, is a Belgian breed of large domestic chicken. It originates from the area of Mechelen, in the province of Antwerp in Flanders, for which it is named. It was created in the nineteenth century by cross-breeding local cuckoo-patterned farm chickens with various different types of imported Oriental chicken. With the Jersey Giant, it is among the heaviest of all chicken breeds. It is valued for the quality of its meat, which is pale in colour and fine-textured.