Hamburgh Bantam

The Hamburgh Bantam is characterized by its refinement and elegance. It features a medium-sized rose comb that is firmly planted and covered with small rounded points, ending in a straight spike (spike/doorn) that extends horizontally backward. One of its most distinctive features is the large, round, white earlobes, which have a smooth, enamel-like appearance.

• Body: Slender and elongated with a graceful, flowing silhouette.
• Tail: Righly developed, carried at a 40-degree angle, with long, well-curved sickles in the rooster.
• Legs: Clean and slender, always slate blue (leiblauw) in color, except for the Black variety where they may be darker.
• Weight: Roosters typically weigh around 32-35 oz (900-1000g), while hens weigh approximately 25-28 oz (700-800g).

Historically known as the 'Dutch Everyday Layer,' the Hamburgh is a prolific layer for its size. The bantam version continues this tradition, producing a high volume of white eggs throughout the year. The average egg weight is approximately 1.2 oz (35g).

Hens of this breed are rarely broody, making them excellent choices for those wanting consistent egg production without the interruption of a hen wanting to sit. However, if you wish to hatch their eggs, you will likely need an incubator or a broody hen of another breed (like a Silkie).

Sexual dimorphism in the Hamburgh Bantam is quite pronounced, particularly in the feathering of the tail and neck. Roosters possess long, flowing neck hackles and saddle feathers that blend seamlessly into a large, well-spread tail with long, arching sickles. Their rose comb is larger and the spike is more prominent.

Hens have a more compact, wedge-shaped body and a smaller rose comb. A fascinating detail found in the Penciled varieties (Gold and Silver) is the existence of hen-feathered roosters. These specific males lack the traditional pointed hackle and saddle feathers and do not grow long sickles, looking remarkably similar to the hens in their plumage pattern.

Hamburgh Bantams are hardy and active birds. Their rose comb is a significant advantage in colder climates, as it is much less susceptible to frostbite than large single combs. However, they are high-energy birds that require space to roam, they do not tolerate tight confinement well and can become stressed or develop behavioral issues if bored.

While they are cold-hardy, they should always have access to a dry, draft-free coop. Because they are light and agile, they are excellent flyers and prefer to roost high up if given the chance.

The Hamburgh breed is famous for its intricate and standardized patterns. The most common varieties include:

• Silver Spangled: Silvery white feathers ending in a large, round, greenish-black spot (spangle).
• Gold Spangled: Golden-red ground color with the same round black spangles.
• Silver Penciled: Silvery white with multiple fine, black parallel bars across the feathers (primarily in hens).
• Gold Penciled: Golden-bay ground color with fine black penciling.
• Self Colors: Pure Black (with a brilliant green sheen) and pure White are also recognized and highly prized for their simplicity and form.

The exact origin of the Hamburgh is a subject of debate between the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Germany. While the name suggests the German city of Hamburg, it is widely believed that the breed's ancestors were the 'Every-day Layers' of the Low Countries (Netherlands and Belgium). These were imported into England via Hamburg, hence the name.

The modern breed type was perfected in England during the 18th and 19th centuries. The bantam version was developed shortly before the turn of the 20th century in England by crossing large Hamburghs with smaller breeds like the Sebright and Rosecomb. It was officially recognized in the Netherlands in 1906.