German Imperial Bantam

The German Imperial Bantam is defined by its elongated rectangular body. It features a broad, long, and nearly horizontal back with a parallel underline formed by a long breastbone and a full, meaty abdomen. The head is relatively small, topped with a finely pearled rose comb that has a spike following the curve of the neck. The earlobes are red and fine-textured. Its legs are light grey (except in the black variety where they are darker). Roosters weigh 32-35 oz (900-1000g) and hens 26-30 oz (750-850g).

This breed is remarkably productive for a bantam, with hens laying more than 160 eggs per year. The eggs are yellowish in color and weigh approximately 1.2 oz (35g). Beyond egg production, they were historically valued for the high quality of their meat, making them a true utility bantam. They are early to mature and the chicks are notably vital and easy to raise.

Roosters carry their tail at a blunt angle and should have a tail full of coverts, though the main sickles should not be excessively long. Hens have a very pronounced, deep, and fleshy abdomen, indicating their high egg-laying capacity. While the rooster's hackles are well-developed, they should not be overly long or thick, maintaining the breed's 'rectangular' rather than 'triangular' silhouette.

The German Imperial Bantam is extremely hardy and well-suited to Northern European climates. They are active birds that thrive when given room to forage. Because they are early-maturing and vital, they handle cold winters well, provided they have a dry coop. They are considered a 'beginner-friendly' breed due to their lack of delicate ornamental features.

The Columbia (Wit-zwartcolumbia) and White are the oldest and most common varieties. Other recognized colors include Buff Columbia, Barred (Gestreept), Black, Red, and Birch (Berken). The Red variety is still being perfected to reach the deep, even mahogany tones seen in Rhode Island Reds. In the Black variety, roosters may have a darker leg color while hens are permitted a lighter grey leg.