14-620: The Pekin Bantam is a British breed of bantam chicken . It derives from birds brought to Europe from China in the nineteenth century, and is named for the city of Peking where it was believed to have originated. It is a true bantam , with no corresponding large fowl. It is recognised only in the United Kingdom, where the Cochin has no recognised bantam version; like the Cochin, it has heavy feathering to
28-754: A unique appearance. However, distinct breeds are the result of selective breeding to emphasize certain traits. Any breed may be used for general agricultural purposes, and all breeds are shown to some degree. But each chicken breed is known for a primary use. Many breeds were selected and are used primarily for producing eggs , these are mostly light-weight birds whose hens do not go broody often. Most farms and homesteads use dual-purpose breeds for meat production. Some breeds are raised mainly for meat: The generalist breeds used in barnyards worldwide are adaptable utility birds good at producing both meat and eggs. Though some may be slightly better for one of these purposes, they are usually called dual-purpose breeds. Since
42-551: Is an event where livestock are exhibited and judged on certain phenotypical breed traits as specified by their respective breed standard . Species of livestock that may be shown include pigs , cattle , sheep , goats , horses , llamas and alpacas . Poultry such as chickens , geese , ducks , turkeys and pigeons are also shown competitively. A livestock show may be part of an agricultural show . 3. “Livestock.” Livestock | San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, www.sarodeo.com/livestock. 4. Judging Livestock during
56-413: The 19th century, poultry fancy , the breeding and competitive exhibition of poultry as a hobby, has grown to be a huge influence on chicken breeds. Many breeds have always been kept for ornamental purposes, and others have been shifted from their original use to become first and foremost exhibition fowl, even if they may retain some inherent utility. Since the sport of cockfighting has been outlawed in
70-686: The 21st century, chickens are frequently bred according to predetermined breed standards set down by governing organizations. The first of such standards was the British Poultry Standard , which is still in publication today. Other standards include the Standard of Perfection , the Australian Poultry Standard , and the standard of the American Bantam Association, which deals exclusively with bantam fowl. Only some of
84-502: The Pekin bantam cocks can still be aggressive and defensive of their territory and mates once they reach sexual maturity, but are generally gentle natured. The hens are regularly broody and are known to be good sitters and attentive mothers. They are not very productive egg layers. Some will lay a few eggs during the winter months. Care must be taken so that the Pekin's foot feathering does not get soiled. Soiled feet could lead to foot rot or
98-809: The chicken becoming lame. Vent feathers may have to be trimmed to maximise fertility when breeding. List of chicken breeds There are hundreds of chicken breeds in existence. Domesticated for thousands of years, distinguishable breeds of chicken have been present since the combined factors of geographical isolation and selection for desired characteristics created regional types with distinct physical and behavioral traits passed on to their offspring. The physical traits used to distinguish chicken breeds are size, plumage color, comb type, skin color, number of toes, amount of feathering, egg color, and place of origin. They are also roughly divided by primary use, whether for eggs, meat, or ornamental purposes, and with some considered to be dual-purpose. In
112-516: The definition of a breed . Most crossbreed strains are sex linked , allowing for easy chick sexing . Roberts, Victoria (2008). British Poultry Standards . Oxford, UK: Blackwell. ISBN 9781405156424 . Complete specifications and judging points of all standardized breeds and varieties of poultry as compiled by the specialist breed clubs and recognised by the Poultry Club of Great Britain. Livestock show A livestock show
126-440: The developed world, most breeds first developed for this purpose, called game fowl, are now seen principally in the show ring rather than the cock pit as fighting cocks . denotes a breed primarily used for exhibition, but which is still used for utility purposes. denotes a game breed. Most large chicken breeds have a bantam counterpart, sometimes referred to as a miniature . Miniatures are usually one-fifth to one-quarter
140-866: The head slightly closer to the ground than their elaborate tail feathers. This 'tilt' is a key characteristic of the Pekin. The bird on the whole, though the tail especially, should be abundantly feathered, and well rounded. The cockerels often have longer feathers that protrude outwards from their feet. The range of Pekin colours is extensive, and the list is continually growing. Colours include black, blue, buff, cuckoo, mottled, barred, Columbian, lavender, partridge, white, birchen, silver partridge, and salmon. Rarer colours are in great demand, and many breeders spend much time perfecting new lines of colours in their birds. Frizzled Pekins are common. Pekin Bantams are very docile, and with careful and regular handling they make ideal pets, especially for families with younger children. However,
154-1336: The known breeds are included in these publications, and only those breeds are eligible to be shown competitively. There are additionally a few hybrid strains which are common in the poultry world, especially in large poultry farms. These types are first generation crosses of true breeds. Hybrids do not reliably pass on their features to their offspring, but are highly valued for their producing abilities. By place of origin : Afghanistan • Albania • Australia • Austria • Belgium • Brazil • Bulgaria • Canada • Chile • China • Croatia • Cuba • Czech Republic • Egypt • Finland • France • Germany • Greece • Iceland • India • Indonesia • Iran • Italy • Japan • Korea • Kosovo • Malaysia • Myanmar • Netherlands • Norway • Pakistan • Philippines • Poland • Portugal • Romania • Russia • Serbia • Slovakia • Slovenia • South Africa • Spain • Sweden • Switzerland • Thailand • Turkey • Ukraine • United Kingdom • United States • Vietnam By primary use : Eggs • Meat • Dual-purpose • Exhibition Other : Bantams • Hybrids See also • References • Sources All chickens lay eggs , have edible meat , and possess
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#1732887823138168-602: The legs and feet. The Entente Européenne treats the Pekin Bantam as equivalent to the bantam Cochin. The first Pekins are alleged to have been looted from the private collection of the Emperor of China at Peking (now known as Beijing ) by British soldiers towards the end of the Second Opium War around 1860. However, some sources suggest that a consignment of birds from China around 1835 were given to Queen Victoria , assuming
182-620: The name of 'Shanghais' and that these birds were bred with further imports and were developed into the breed we know today as Pekins. The Pekins first brought to the United Kingdom are said to have been buff in colour, with blacks and cuckoos arriving later on. They are known in the United States and Canada as Cochin Bantams. The Pekin is a true bantam, that is, a breed of miniature chicken which has no large fowl counterpart. They are rather round-shaped, and their carriage tilts forward, with
196-438: The size of the standard breed, but they are expected to exhibit all of the standard breed's characteristics. A true bantam has no large counterpart, and is naturally small. The true bantams include: Many common strains of crossbred chickens exist, but none breed true or are recognized by poultry breed standards ; thus, though they are extremely common in flocks focusing on high productivity, crossbreeds do not technically meet
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