Barbu de Boitsfort

The Barbu de Boitsfort is a true bantam, characterized by its compact and broad body, similar to the Barbu de Watermael, but with the unique trait of being rumpless. They exhibit an upright posture, featuring a deep body, well-developed beard, abundant neck hackles, feathered feet, and distinct vulture hocks. The complete absence of a tail, with the rear covered by saddle feathers, is its defining feature.

Key Features:

• Weight: Roosters typically weigh 1.3-1.4 lbs (600-650g), while hens are lighter at 1.0-1.1 lbs (450-500g).
• Tail: A primary characteristic is the complete absence of a tail. The rear is well-rounded and covered by abundant saddle feathers, presenting a neat, compact look.
• Comb: They have a small, finely textured rose comb that is upright and red, with a short spike.
• Beard and Muffs: A lavish, three-part beard covers the earlobes and small wattles, growing horizontally from the sides of the beak and vertically downwards.
• Eyes: Large, lively eyes, with color varying by plumage, often orange-red to reddish-brown.
• Legs and Feet: Legs are short, strong, and abundantly feathered on the outer sides, including the middle and outer toes, forming pronounced 'vulture hocks'. Leg color varies with plumage, typically slate-blue, with foot feathering also present.
• Temperament: D'Everbergs are known for being lively, active, and trusting birds. They are generally docile towards humans and make good foragers.

Barbu de Boitsfort hens are respectable layers for a true bantam, providing a consistent supply of small, tinted 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 oz (30g).
• Broodiness: Barbu de Boitsfort 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 de Boitsfort, both sexes lack the prominent tail feathers seen in many other breeds. However, some distinctions still apply:

• Rooster: The rooster is generally larger and more muscular, with a proud, upright carriage. His rose comb is typically more prominent and firm. The neck hackles and saddle feathers are usually 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 rose 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 de Boitsfort is a hardy breed that tolerates temperate climates well. As a variant of the Barbu de Watermael, 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 de Boitsfort is a rumpless variant of the Barbu de Watermael. Genetic relationship to the Watermael result in a broad range of color varieties are found among breeders.

Common Varieties:

• Partridge (Patrijs): A classic wild-type pattern, typically with a golden-brown ground color and fine black peppering in hens, and a darker, richer color in roosters. This is the variety explicitly mentioned in the specific Boitsfort standard document.
• Quail (Kwartel): A golden-brown ground color with delicate black peppering, giving a 'quail' effect.
• Silver Quail (Zilverkwartel): A silver-white ground color with fine black peppering.
• Black (Zwart): Solid, glossy black plumage.
• White (Wit): Pure white plumage.
• Blue (Blauw): A uniform medium slate-blue color.
• 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 (Porselein): A lighter, more diluted version of Mille Fleur, with a creamy-white base and soft blue-gray and golden spangling.

The Barbu de Boitsfort, or Bosvoordse Baardkriel, is a distinct rumpless (tailless) variant of the Barbu de Watermael. Its history is closely intertwined with other Belgian bearded bantams.

The Barbu de Watermael, from which the Boitsfort originated, was developed around 1914 by Antoine Dresse in Watermael, a suburb of Brussels. The Watermael itself is a very small, bearded bantam with a distinctive rose comb and neck crest. The Boitsfort variant specifically emerged as a rumpless form, inheriting the general characteristics of the Watermael but lacking the tail. The original texts highlight that the rumplessness is a defining feature, with the rear covered by saddle feathers.

While historical data on the specific development of the Boitsfort is scarce, its existence is a testament to the selective breeding efforts within Belgium to create unique bantam varieties. Like many traditional European breeds, it has experienced periods of fluctuating popularity, relying on dedicated fanciers to ensure its preservation and continued presence.