The Brabanter is a Dutch breed of chicken originating in the historic region of Brabant, which straddles Belgium and the Netherlands.
 |
| The Region of Brabant Image Source: Absolute Astronomy |
It is one of the oldest breeds of Dutch origin with evidence of its existence dating as far back as the early 1500’s.
 |
| "Poultry" - Melchior d’Hondecoeter Photo Source: National Gallery of Art, Dublin, Ireland |
Early paintings by done by famous Dutch animal painter Melchior d’Hondecoeter (1636-1695) portrays the Brabanter in many of its original colours.
 |
| "Hens and Ducks" - Melchior d’Hondecoeter Photo Source: Dr. Maarten Th. Frankenhuis, Variaties in voortplanting. Paren en baren in Artis, [Oss]: Organon, [Amsterdam]: Artis |
 |
"A Cock, Hens and Chicks" - Melchior d’HondecoeterPhoto Source: The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London, U.K. |
Popular at one time and appearing in many aristocratic animal holdings, the Brabanter was declared extinct by the early 20th century. It is one of the “re-created” historical breeds having disappeared for a period of time. The Brabanter received its second chance with its recreation by dedicated Dutch poultrymen by 1920.
 |
| Brabantar - Creme Trio Photo Source: Unknown |
The Bantam Brabantar was created by crossing Bantam Polish varieties with Standard Brabanters in the early 1930’s and was officially recognized by the Dutch Standards in 1934. Both Standard and Bantam Brabanters are considered a rare breed, even in its native region.
 |
| Brabanter - Black Hen Photo Source - B.K.U. Club |
The Brabanter has two main distinguishing characteristics: a small tuff of feathers on its head and a beard. The tuft of feathers is somewhat like a round crest that has been latterly flattened inwards from both sides and narrows to the front of the head; in other words making it seem like a Mohawk haircut. The crest is built up from and behind two bright red, cone shaped horns that are moulded like a “V” and are found at the back of its V-shaped comb. According to the Dutch Standards, the horns of Standard cocks are not allowed to be longer than 1.75 cm. and the maximum length for hens is 1.0 cm. For Brabanter Bantams, the maximum length of the horns is 1.0 cm. Unlike some crested fowl, the Brabanter’s tuft does not impede vision in any way.
 |
| Brabantar - Cuckoo Cock Head Close-up Photo Source: Unknown |
The Brabanter’s beard is what is known as a three-piece densely feathered, pronounced beard - two lateral pieces and one frontal piece.
 |
| Brabanter Head Close-up Photo Source - BKU Club |
 |
| Brabantar - Gold Black-spotted Head Close-up Photo Source: Huhner Forum |
It has rather wide nostrils, no chin wattles, and small white ear lobes that should not be visible due to the lateral parts of the beard. Brabanters have orange to light brown eyes that should not be obscured by the growth of the lateral parts of the beard.
According to the Breed Standards, weights for Brabanters are as follows:
(BKU) (Kippen Encyclopedie)
Standard Cock: 1.9 – 2.5 kg. 2.0 - 2.5 kg.
Standard Hen: 1.6 – 2.0 kg. 1.5 - 2.0 kg.
 |
| Bantam Brabanter - Yellow White-spotted Cock Photo Source: Unknown |
(BKU) (Kippen Encyclopedie)
Bantam Cock: 0.9 – 1.0 kg 0.6 - 0.7 kg.
Bantam Hen: 0.7 – 0.8 kg 0.5 - 0.6 kg.
It is considered a lively breed with a crescent-shaped body. Bantams and Standards should have the same basic shape, only difference being in size.
Serious errors in Brabanters include the length of the horns, the appearance of chin wattles, the obscuring of the eyes by the lateral parts of the beard, and the body shape straightening out from a crescent shape. In the spotted colour varieties – I use “spotted here for lack of a better word as “spangled” does not really describe the patterning nor is there an accurate translation from the Dutch “getoept” - other serious errors are having a “ground” or base colouring too pale, too dark or uneven and the spotting being overbearing, too weak, or uneven.
 |
| Brabantar - Gold Black-spotted Chick Photo Source: Kippen Forum |
 |
| Brabantar - Gold Black-spotted Chick all Grown Up Photo Source: Kippen Forum |
In both Standard and Bantam colour varieties, hens are said to be good layers of white eggs, even throughout the winter periods. Although not known for going broody, they are supposedly an easy bird to breed with good fertility.
In the Netherlands, the recognized colours of the Brabantars are:
Gold Black-spotted (Goud zwartgetoept)
 |
| Brabanter - Gold Black-spotted Cock Photo Source: Kippen Encyclopedie |
 |
| Brabanter - Gold Black-spotted Hen Photo Source: Kippen Encyclopedie |
Silver Black-spotted (Zilver zwartgetoept)
 |
| Brabantar - Silver Black-spotted Photo Source: Nederlandsche Hoender Club |
 |
| Brabanter - Silver Black-spotted Cock Photo Source: Kippen Encyclopedie |
 |
| Brabanter - Silver Black-spotted Hen Photo Source: Kippen Encyclopedie |
Yellow White-spotted (Geel witgetoept)
 |
| Brabanter - Yellow White-spotted Cock Photo Source: Kippen Encyclopedie |
 |
| Brabanter - Yellow White-spotted Cock Photo Source: Kippen Encyclopedie |
Blue Laced (Gezoomd blauw)
 |
| Brabanter - Blue Laced Cock Photo Source: Kippen Encyclopedie |
 |
| Brabanter - Blue Laced Hen Photo Source: Kippen Encyclopedie |
Cuckoo (Koekoek)
 |
| Brabanter - Cuckoo Cock Photo Source: Kippen Encyclopedie |
 |
| Brabanter - Cuckoo Hen Photo Source: Kippen Encyclopedie |
Self White (Wit)
 |
| Brabantar - Self White Trio Photo Source: www.seniorennet.be |
 |
| Brabanter - White Cock Photo Source: Kippen Encyclopedie |
 |
| Brabanter - White Hen Photo Source: Kippen Encyclopedie |
Self Black (Zwart)
 |
| Brabanter - Black Cock Photo Source: Kippen Encyclopedie |
 |
| Brabanter - Black Hen Photo Source: Kippen Encyclopedie |
Some of the newer colours not yet officially recognized include:
 |
| Brabanter - Lemon Black-spotted Cock Photo Source: Kippen Encyclopedie |
 |
| Brabanter - Lemon Black-spotted Cock Photo Source: Kippen Encyclopedie |
Gold Blue-spotted (Goudblauwgetoept)
 |
| Brabanter - Gold Blue-spotted Cock Photo Source: Kippen Encyclopedie |
 |
| Brabanter - Gold Blue-spotted Hen Photo Source: Kippen Encyclopedie |
Salmon (Zalmkleur)
 |
| Brabanter - Salmon Cock Photo Source: Kippen Encyclopedie |
 |
| Brabanter - Salmon Hen Photo Source: Kippen Encyclopedie |
Splash (Splash)
 |
| Brabanter - Splash Cock Photo Source: Kippen Encyclopedie |
The Brabantar was once known to exist in the following colour varieties:
Blue White-laced:
 |
| Brabantar - Blue White-laced Pair Photo Source: B.K.U. Club |
Golden Black-bearded [and Black-tufted]
 |
| Brabantar - Golden Black-bearded |
BKU-Club
The BKU-Club was started in 1985 to promote interest and breeding standards of the following Dutch breeds in both Standards and Bantams:
The Brabanter
 |
| Brabantar - Creme Pullet Photo Source: Courtesy of Show-Me Silkies & Stuff |
The Breda Fowl
 |
| Breda Fowl - Blue Cock Photo Source: Unknown |
The Dutch Owlbeard
 |
| Dutch Owl Beard - White Moorkop Pair Photo Source: ireality.com |
www.bkuclub.nl
info@bkuclub.nl
 |
| Brabanter - Creme Cockerel Photo Source: Courtesy of Show-Me Silkies & Stuff |
Contact Address:
Secretary: Gerard Vermaas
Prinsenlaan 6
NL 3442 CE Woerden
Tel.: 0031-348414813
E-mail: gerard.vermaas@hetnet.nl
 |
| Brabantar - Gold Black-spotted Trio Photo Source: Unknown |
North American Brabantars
In North America, the Brabantar is a rare variety and not yet recognized by the American Poultry Association, but there are a group of breeders in North America who are hoping to one day have this beautiful, historical bird listed in the A.P.A. Standard of Perfection. Brabantars are only available in the following colour varieties:
Crème (more like the Dutch non-recognized Lemon Black-spotted)
and
Gold (like the Dutch recognized Gold Black-spotted)
Brabanter Breeders:
Show-Me Silkies & Stuff - Crème Variety
(http://showmesilkies.com)
Brabanters are available in North America commercially from:
Sand Hill Preservation Center – Crème and Gold varieties (http://www.sandhillpreservation.com/catalog/chickens.html)
Ideal Poultry Breeding Farms – Crème and Gold varieties
As well as other “drop-ship” hatcheries.
Any breeders wishing to list here, please contact Cameron at:
mcattack_ca@yahoo.com
 |
| Brabanter - Yellow White-spotted Photo Source: Unknown |
 |
| Brabantar - Lemon Black-spotted Photo Source: Huhner Forum |
Thanks for such a wonderful article on one of my favourite breeds. Now is I could only bring some back from Holland. (I can't recommend Ideal's stock...)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely love this breed and very well written blog. Glad I could lend photos for you to use for this.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteGreat site and description of Melchior and the Branbranter. It is a topic which has interested me for many years. I have used some of the material on my blog (the search for the holy quail). I am looking forward to your taking on the Polish hen whose origins are very controversal. I think that the hen in the lower left of "a cock, hens and chicks" looks like a white Polish.
ReplyDeleteCan we have some details about who the recreators were in Holland, what breeds they used?
ReplyDeleteI have been raising a male brabanter and I am looking for a female to bread him. If any one is willing to sell one please contact Sonny at csequist@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThe information is amazing. Does anyone know where I can get gold brabanters?
ReplyDeleteIdeal Hatchery has them. I haven't ordered anything from them in years, but about 10 years ago, I ordered both Cream and Gold Brabanters from them. Very pretty birds! :) Click "Shop Online" and then you'll have to go to the White Egg Layers page (they are not on the Tophat page). Hope this helps! :)
DeleteI have brabanters that I hatched from eggs. I am lucky enough to live in their native region, only a stone's throw away from a farm that raises many rare breeds.
ReplyDeleteThey are very lovely inquisitive animals. Once they are used to you they are not shy. Will get a bunch of new eggs for hatching next spring
Very cool be nice to get some
DeleteI live in northdakota where can I get barbanter chickens
ReplyDelete