Aarschot Bantam

Appearance

The Aarschot Bantam is a medium-heavy, dual-purpose bird with a nearly horizontal backline and a deep, full breast. Roosters carry their tails at a proud 60-degree angle. They are sturdy but active birds, reflecting their landrace heritage.

• Weight: Roosters weigh approximately 2.8 - 3.1 lbs (1300-1400g), and hens weigh about 2.4 - 2.6 lbs (1100-1200g).
• Comb: They have a bright red, single comb with 5 to 6 well-defined points. The comb blade should follow the neck without touching.
• Head & Face: The breed has red earlobes and reddish-brown eyes.
• Legs & Feet: The legs are unfeathered and should be a white to light grey color.

Temperament

Aarschot Bantams are lively and active foragers, well-suited for free-ranging. They are generally robust and alert birds, though not typically considered pet chickens.

One of the primary goals in recreating the Aarschot was to restore its reputation as a layer of dark brown eggs, a trait that was highly valued. This was achieved by introducing Marans into the breeding program.

• Egg Production: A healthy hen will lay approximately 160 eggs per year.
• Egg Color: The eggs are a desirable rust or dark brown color.
• Egg Size: Bantam eggs are medium-sized, weighing around 1.6 oz (45g).
• Broodiness: As a heritage dual-purpose breed, hens are known to go broody and can be attentive mothers.

The differences between sexes are quite clear in adult Aarschot Bantams. Roosters are larger and more upright, with a larger, brighter red single comb. Their plumage is distinct in the Gold and Silver Neck varieties, where the neck and saddle hackles are a solid color, contrasting with the cuckoo pattern on the rest of the body. They also develop long, flowing sickle feathers in the tail.

Hens are smaller with a less imposing comb that can be quite small. Their body is deeper and fuller, especially in the abdomen, giving them a more rounded, robust appearance. The hen's tail is carried at a slightly lower angle, around 50 degrees, compared to the rooster's 60 degrees.

The Aarschot Bantam is a hardy breed developed in the temperate climate of Belgium. It is robust and adapts well to various conditions, making it an excellent forager in a free-range system. They tolerate both cold and moderate warmth without issue.

Due to their active nature, they appreciate space to roam. A standard, secure coop that is dry and free from drafts is sufficient for their housing needs. Their alertness makes them aware of their surroundings, a useful trait for free-ranging flocks.

The primary and most common color variety for the Aarschot Bantam is Golden Cuckoo (Koekoek goudhalzig). In this variety, the rooster has golden hackles on the neck and saddle, while the rest of his body displays a cuckoo (barred) pattern. The hen is cuckoo-patterned all over.

A Silver Cuckoo variety also exists, which follows the same pattern but with silver-white replacing the golden areas on the rooster.