Barbu d'Everberg

The Barbu d'Everberg is a compact and broad true bantam, essentially a rumpless variant of the Barbu d'Uccle. They are characterized by a sturdy build, featuring a deep body, well-developed beard, abundant neck hackles, feathered feet, and distinct vulture hocks. The absence of a tail is a primary identifier.

Key Features:

• Weight: Roosters typically weigh 1.6-1.9 lbs (750-850g), and hens are lighter at 1.2-1.4 lbs (550-650g).
• Tail: The most distinctive feature is the complete absence of a tail. The rear is well-rounded and covered by abundant saddle feathers, giving a compact appearance.
• Comb: They have a small, single comb that is red, finely textured, and upright, with five or six regular points. The comb heel should not touch the neck.
• Beard and Muffs: A lavish, three-part beard covers the earlobes and wattles, growing horizontally from the sides of the beak and vertically downwards, ideally forming a continuous mass.
• Head: The head is relatively small, with lively eyes (color varies by plumage) and small, red earlobes hidden by the beard.
• Legs and Feet: Legs are short, strong, and abundantly feathered on the outer sides, including the middle and outer toes, forming pronounced vulture hocks. The leg color varies with the plumage color.
• Feathering: The plumage is full, rich, and dense but not overly soft, creating a harmonious appearance.
• Temperament: D'Everbergs are lively and trusting birds, generally docile towards humans. Their active nature makes them good foragers.

Like their Barbu d'Uccle relatives, Barbu d'Everberg hens are respectable layers for a bantam breed, providing a steady supply of eggs.

• Egg Production: Hens can lay approximately 120-150 eggs per year.
• Egg Size & Color: They lay small, tinted or creamy white eggs, typically weighing around 1.1-1.2 oz (30-35g).
• Broodiness: Barbu d'Everberg hens are known to be good mothers and tend to go broody readily, making them suitable for natural incubation and rearing of chicks. Their rumplessness does not negatively impact their ability to sit on and hatch eggs.

Due to the rumpless nature of the Barbu d'Everberg, both sexes lack the prominent tail feathers of other breeds. However, some distinctions still apply.

• Rooster: The rooster is generally larger and more muscular, with a proud, upright carriage. His single comb is more prominent and firmly set. The neck hackles and saddle feathers are typically richer and more abundant than the hen's.
• Hen: The hen is smaller and often has a slightly fuller abdomen, indicating her laying capacity. Her single comb is similar to the rooster's but may be less developed. The beard and feathered legs are equally characteristic of both sexes. The overall body impression of the hen is compact and deep-bodied.

The Barbu d'Everberg is a hardy breed that tolerates temperate climates well. As a variant of the Barbu d'Uccle, they are accustomed to varied weather conditions. Their dense feathering, including the beard and muffs, provides good insulation, helping them withstand colder temperatures.

They are active and appreciate space to roam. While they can adapt to confinement, they thrive in clean, dry, and spacious environments. Due to their feathered feet, it is important to maintain dry litter to prevent mud and ice accumulation, which can cause discomfort or health issues. Dry housing is crucial for maintaining their feather quality and overall health.

The Barbu d'Everberg is recognized in a wide range of colors, mirroring those found in the Barbu d'Uccle. This diversity is a testament to the breed's dedicated recreation efforts.

Prominent Varieties Include:

• Mille Fleur (Duizendkleur): A striking tri-color pattern with a golden-brown base, black tips, and a white 'pearl' or V-shaped spot on each feather.
• Porcelain (Isabelporselein, Okerwitporselein, Zilverporselein): Diluted forms of Mille Fleur, with creamy or ocher bases (Buff Mottled) and soft blue-gray or silver spangling.
• Black (Zwart): Solid, lustrous black plumage.
• White (Wit): Pure white plumage.
• Blue (Blauw): A uniform medium slate-blue color.
• Black Mottled (Zwart witgepareld): A black base with white V-shaped tips on the feathers.
• Blue Mottled (Blauw witgepareld): A blue base with white V-shaped tips on the feathers.
• Buff Columbia (Buff zwartcolumbia): A buff body color with black markings in the neck, wings, and tail area.
• White Quail (Witkwartel): A white base with intricate quail-like markings.
• Cuckoo (Koekoek): A barred pattern of alternating light and dark gray across the feathers.

These varied colors contribute to the breed's appeal as an ornamental fowl, with breeders continuously striving to maintain and introduce new variations.

The Barbu d'Everberg, or Everbergse Baardkriel, is a rumpless (tailless) variant of the Barbu d'Uccle, originating in Belgium. Its history is marked by its near disappearance and successful recreation by dedicated breeders.

Around 1904, a rumpless, feathered-foot bearded bantam was born in the 'Grubbe' hatchery near Kortenberg, owned by the breeder Grubbe. This unique bird, named 'Grubbe Baardkriel', became the foundation for the Barbu d'Everberg. Despite early exhibition, the breed struggled to gain widespread popularity and was almost entirely lost by the mid-220th century.

The concerted efforts of breeders like dhr. Mollinger from Delft (Netherlands) and later Belgian fanciers such as Bert Goris, Rudy Theylaert, Jaak Bolle, and Jean Pierre Muys were crucial for its revival. These individuals meticulously recreated and stabilized the breed through careful selection and outcrossing, often involving Drentse rumpless fowls and other Barbu d'Uccle varieties in various colors. The rumpless trait is dominant, and careful breeding protocols were established to manage the genetic factors, especially to avoid lethal combinations, ensuring the breed's vitality and preservation.