Malines Bantam

The Malines Bantam is defined by its substantial, rectangular body shape. It features a broad, deep chest and a horizontal rug-line that flows into a short, well-spread tail. Unlike many common bantams, it has lightly feathered legs, the feathers grow primarily on the outer side of the shanks and the outer toes.

• Weight: Roosters average about 2.6 lbs (1200g), while hens weigh approximately 2.3 lbs (1050g).
• Comb: It features a medium-sized single comb, though a pea-comb variant (known as the Turkey-headed Malines) exists in the large fowl and is occasionally seen in bantams.
• Eyes: Bold and orange-red in color.
• Stature: Despite being a bantam, it appears heavy and powerful due to its dense plumage and wide stance.

While primarily kept for exhibition and its unique look, the Malines Bantam is a reliable layer for a bantam breed. They can produce between 140 and 160 eggs per year.

• Egg Color: Eggs are typically cream or light brown (tinted).
• Egg Size: Approximately 1.4 oz (40g).
• Broodiness: The hens have a moderate tendency to go broody and are known to be protective and gentle mothers.

Distinguishing between the sexes is relatively straightforward. The rooster is significantly more upright and massive, showing off prominent hackle and saddle feathers. In the popular Cuckoo variety, sex-linked barring plays a role: roosters typically appear lighter in color because they carry two copies of the barring gene, while hens carry only one and appear darker.

Hens maintain a more boxy or rectangular silhouette and sit lower to the ground. Their feathered legs are often more apparent as they forage slowly compared to the more active roosters.

The Malines Bantam is a hardy breed that handles the cold Northern European climates well. Their thick plumage provides excellent insulation against frost. However, backyard keepers should be mindful of the following:

• Wet Conditions: Their feathered legs can become caked with mud in rainy weather, which may lead to foot health issues like scaly leg mites or bumblefoot if not monitored.
• Heat: Due to their heavy build, they require ample shade and fresh water during hot American summers to prevent heat stress.

The most iconic and common color for the Malines is Cuckoo (Koekoek), which features a distinct salt-and-pepper barring. Other recognized varieties in Europe include:

• White: Pure white plumage with pinkish-white skin.
• Black: Deep black with a beetle-green sheen.
• Columbia: White body with black markings in the neck and tail.
• Blue: An even shade of slate blue.

The Malines (Mechelse Hoender) originated in the Mechelen region of Belgium in the late 19th century. It was developed by crossing local Flemish cuckoo-patterned chickens with giant Oriental breeds like the Brahma, Cochin, and Croad Langshan to create a superior meat bird.

The bantam version was developed later, in the early 20th century. Breeders aimed to replicate the impressive rectangular type and feathered legs of the giant bird in a miniature format. It remains a staple of Belgian poultry heritage, though it is less common internationally than the large fowl version.