Draft:Waas bantam
The Waas Bantam or Waasland Bantam, Dutch: Waasse kriel French: Poule naine du pays de Waes, Poule naine Waeslandienne is a Belgian bantam chicken breed originating from the Land van Waas, a region west of Antwerp. The breed is closely related to the Belgian Bantam, but is distinguished by the rose comb instead of a single comb. Colloquially, this small chicken breed is also called "Steens Kieksken".
Like the Belgian Bantam, the Waas Bantam is a descendant of local bantams, which used to be spread across Flanders. The exact period of origin is not exactly documented, but it is suspected that the selection of the breed took place in the same period as the Belgian Bantam, namely from the beginning of the 20th century.
The Waas Bantam is a rare breed, with only a limited population in Belgium, The Netherlands and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Appearance
[edit]The Waas Bantam is a small and graceful chicken breed. The weight is in the same category as the Belgian Bantam:
- Rooster: 550 - 650 grams
- Hen: 500 - 550 grams
The back is short and flows smoothly into the tail, which is fully feathered in the cock. The legs are blue. The rose comb is a striking feature and distinguishes this breed from the Belgian Bantam, which has a single comb.
Officially recognized color varieties
[edit]Although the partridge colour is the most common, the Waas Bantam also has a few other, albeit rare, colour varieties. In various countries, this breed is recognised in various colour varieties. The most important associations that record these recognitions are:
- Vlaams Interprovinciaal Verbond van Fokkers van Neerhofdieren (VIVFN) – Belgium
- Kleindier Liefhebbers Nederland (KLN) – Netherlands
- African Ornamental Breeders Association (AOBA) – Africa
| Color variety | Belgium (VIVFN) | Nederlands (KLN) | Africa (AOBA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Partridge (Golden Partridge) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Silver partridge | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| White partridge | ✔ | ❌ | ✔ |
| Yellow partridge | ✔ | ❌ | ✔ |
| Blue partridge | ✔ | ❌ | ✔ |
| Blue silver partridge | ✔ | ❌ | ✔ |
| Red-shouldered Blue-silver Partridge | ✔ | ❌ | ✔ |
| Red-shouldered Silver Partridge | ✔ | ❌ | ✔ |
| Black | ✔ | ❌ | ✔ |
| Blue | ✔ | ❌ | ✔ |
| White | ✔ | ❌ | ✔ |
| Wheaten | ✔ | ❌ | ✔ |
| Silver wheaten | ✔ | ❌ | ✔ |
| Dirty white (Splash) | ❌ | ❌ | ✔ (since 2025) |
| Salmon | ❌ | ❌ | ✔ (since 2025) |
| Bronzetail/Chocolate | ❌ | ❌ | ✔ (since 2025) |
Colors in the picture
[edit]- Red-shouldered silver partridge
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Population
[edit]A census carried out by Mr. Jean Kiala-Inkisi, president of AOBA and member of several poultry clubs in Belgium, concluded that in the year 2024 there were only 5 active breeders with a total of only 115 confirmed animals. And possibly another 100 with keepers who do not breed with them. A population was also started in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
| Year | Land | Active breeders | Number of Waas Bantam (at breeders) | Number from private individuals | Total population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Belgium | 5 | 115 | ~100 | ~215 |
| 2024 | Total worldwide | 5 | 115 | ~100 | ~215 |
| 2025 | Belgium | X | X | X | X |
| 2025 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | X | X | X | X |
| 2025 | Total worldwide | X | X | X | X |
Properties
[edit]The Waas Bantam is an active and lively ornamental breed, which can fly well. Therefore it is recommended to keep them in a spacious aviary or covered run. They are strong and hardy chickens that can easily adapt to different circumstances.
They can be tamed when kept in a confined space, but when allowed to roam freely they tend to remain shy and difficult to approach. As with the Belgian Bantam, several cockerels can be kept together without too many problems.
Egg production is low; the hens lay an average of 120 small white eggs of about 30 grams per year. They are known as good broodies.
See also
[edit]References
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