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Large Eggs
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Heart-shaped Earlobes
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Landfowl Type
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Vital & Lively
Bassette
The Bassette, originally known as the 'Liège Bassette', is a Belgian half-bantam breed. Known for its nearly horizontal, broad body, fully feathered tail with well-developed sickles, and expressive head with a single comb, it embodies the typical qualities of an old landrace laying hen. They are vital, powerful birds that are excellent layers of remarkably large white eggs, making them highly attractive for both exhibition and backyard keeping.
Characteristics
General Appearance
The Bassette is classified as a half-bantam due to its size, standing directly between large fowl and true bantams. It embodies the typical land-fowl shape with a nearly horizontally carried, broad body and a deep laying abdomen. It is a powerful, vital bird with an expressive appearance.
Physical Traits
- Weight: Roosters typically weigh between 1.98-2.20 lbs (900-1000g), while hens weigh 1.76-1.98 lbs (800-900g).
- Head: Expressive, featuring large, dark eyes.
- Comb: A single, upright comb. The heel (blade) of the comb must elegantly follow the line of the neck.
- Wattles & Earlobes: They possess fairly long wattles and distinctively white, heart-shaped earlobes.
- Neck: Slightly curved backward and richly feathered.
- Body & Posture: The body is broad and carried almost horizontally. The breast should not be carried too far forward, and the wings must be held tight to the body.
- Tail: Slightly angular and fully feathered. It features well-developed sickles and slightly spread main tail feathers.
- Thighs & Shanks: The thighs are barely visible. The shanks are relatively short, clean (unfeathered), and range from blue-gray to dark blue in color, establishing the breed's typical stance.
Egg Laying
The Bassette is highly valued for its utility traits alongside its ornamental appeal. Thanks to their vitality, rearing results are excellent, and they are known to be surprisingly productive layers.
- Egg Production: They lay a satisfying number of eggs and are known to continue laying well even through the winter months.
- Egg Size & Color: For a bird of their size, Bassettes lay remarkably large eggs, with a minimum hatching egg weight of 1.4 oz (40g). The eggshells are white.
Hen vs Rooster
Beyond the standard secondary sexual characteristics, the Bassette hen and rooster share the same classic land-fowl body type. The hen displays a very deep and well-developed laying abdomen, which is characteristic of the breed's productive nature.
Climate
The Bassette is noted for its high vitality and excellent rearing results. This natural hardiness allows them to thrive in various backyard environments, proving to be resilient throughout the year, including the colder winter months.
Color Varieties
The Bassette is celebrated for its beautiful color patterns, particularly the quail varieties. Recognized colors include:
- Quail: Resembles the coloration of the Antwerp Belgian Bantam.
- Silver Quail: The yellow and brown tints of the quail variety are replaced by a silver-yellowish-gray, striving for pure silver-white.
- Black
- White
- Buff Columbia
- Lavender Silver Quail
Other historically noted or internationally recognized varieties may include Blue, Cuckoo, Millefleur, and Porcelain.
History
Originally referred to as the 'Liège Bassettes', the breed has deep roots in its Belgian homeland. It was systematically developed between the years 1923 and 1931, eventually earning recognition as an independent breed among the original bantams. From its inception, the Bassette enjoyed a broad and thriving breeding base in Belgium, which tragically was almost entirely lost in the aftermath of the war.
Fortunately, dedicated enthusiasts were able to establish a new breeding base from the surviving remnants, successfully revitalizing interest in these birds. The breed's reach then began to expand beyond its homeland, notably, in 1958, K. H. Collatz from Aurich introduced several of these birds to the Federal Republic of Germany. Embodying the classic land-fowl shape, they are often classified as half-bantams due to their size, bridging the gap between large fowl and true bantams.
References
Horst Schmidt (1996). Rashoenders.
Rüdiger Wandelt & Josef Wolters (1995). Handboek Rashoenders.
Verhoef, E., Rijs, A. (2001). Geïllustreerde Hoender Encyclopedie. Rebo Productions.