Burmese Bantam

The Burmese Bantam is a rather short, broad, and compact bantam, characterized by the presence of a beard, a small crest, vulture hocks, and feathered legs and feet. It is ideally small but without exaggeration.

• Weight: Roosters typically weigh between 1.65-1.98 lbs (750-900g), while hens weigh 1.32-1.54 lbs (600-700g).
• Comb: They have a very small two-horned comb that is vivid red. The horn-like protuberances grow slightly apart from each other and are positioned somewhat within the crest. They taper conically.
• Crest: The crest attachment matches the skull's width. The crest is hardly medium-sized, quite firm, and follows the skull line towards the back, leaving the eyes free.
• Beard: Well-developed, consisting of three parts, clearly separated by the wattle area but forming as much of a single unit as possible.
• Legs: They have short and sturdy, heavily feathered legs and feet, with well-feathered outer toes. Vulture hocks are well-developed.
• Eyes: Lively, orange-red to red.

Information on the specific egg-laying characteristics of the Burmese Bantam is scarce due to its rarity and focus on ornamental traits. However, as a bantam, its egg production is generally modest.

• Egg Production: Estimated around 100 eggs per year.
• Egg Size & Color: They lay small to medium-sized white or cream-colored eggs, with an average weight of about 1.0 oz (30g).
• Broodiness: Information on broodiness is not explicitly detailed in the provided texts. However, many traditional bantam breeds do exhibit broody tendencies.

Beyond typical secondary sexual characteristics, Burmese Bantam roosters and hens share many similarities in their overall appearance. The primary differences lie in the development of their ornamental features.

The rooster will have more pronounced feathering in the crest and beard. Its tail feathers will be well-developed and carried somewhat higher. The comb, though small, will be more distinct.

The hen generally has a fuller and more rounded beard and crest feathering compared to the rooster. Her tail carriage is similar, but the sickles are less developed.

The Burmese Bantam is described as somewhat sensitive to cold due to its very short feathering and almost complete lack of down. However, this does not pose problems if the birds are well-fed before cold nights. An ideally insulated and draft-free coop is recommended.

Their active nature and tendency to be aggressive towards other chickens suggest that ample space and individual housing options may be necessary, especially for roosters. They adapt well to confined spaces when necessary due to their small size and ease of handling.

The primary recognized color variety for the Burmese Bantam is:

• Black: The plumage is a rich, glossy black over the entire body, with a dull black down. A lighter down color is permissible.