Belgian
bantams were first introduced to England in the 19th century, but their original
ancestry is lost in antiquity. Due, however, to the increasing efforts of breeders
in this country and abroad, this fine little breed is becoming more and more
popular with poultry and bantam fanciers today.
Enthusiasm was such that, after the war, the British Belgian Bantam Club was re-formed, the principal instigators being Mr Kenneth Ward, of Haxby, Yorkshire, undoubtedly one of the most knowledgeable breeders in England today, and Mr J. L. Sears, of Shamley Green, Guildford, Surrey, breeder of Belgians for the past 30 years and secretary of the club.
At his country home in Shamley Green, Mr. Sears breeds nearly every variety of Belgian. There are two main varieties: the Barbu d'Uccle (Uccle Bearded), and the Barbu d'Anvers (Antwerp Bearded), with different colours in each variety. Colours mainly seen now under the d'Uccles are Millefleur, Porcelain, Lavender and, to a lesser extent, white and black mottled. Under d'Anvers, Quails head the list in popularity, followed by Cuckoos, Millefleurs. Porcelain, black-and-lavender mottled, lavender and an occasional white. The most popular colours are Millefleur d'Uccle and Quail d'Anvers and Mr. Sears said the demand now far exceeds supply for all Belgians.
He has personally translated the official breed standards from those adopted in Belgium and Holland, where the breed is very popular. He has judged Belgians for many years, and visits shows on the Continent nearly every year to judge Belgians and pigeons, of which he is one of the best-known breeders in England.
"Belgians abroad are in a similar category to our own - we excel in some colours, they in, others," he said.
The colour lavender is common only to the Belgians, and the variety was originated, through the Porcelain, by the late Dr Renold, of Basle, in Switzerland. Dr Renold was a friend of Mr. Sears, and it was from him that he obtained his Lavenders. This variety remains true to its colour, and does not deviate to white or black, as in the case with normal blue breeds.
Together with other breeds such as Japanese, Sebrights and Rosecombs, Belgians are one of the few breeds which have no large fowl counterpart, and in consequence are true bantams.
With regard to actual breeding methods, Mr Sears has 10 breeding pens each accommodating a cock and two or three hens, comprising all the well-known colours. He also has 8 or 10 cockerels and some 20 pullets, which are not bred from until they are two years old.
"We do not breed from pullets and cockerels of the Millefleur, Porcelain and Mottled varieties because they do not obtain their adult plumage until they are two years of age at least," said Mr. Sears. "Although they may appear promising as pullets and cockerels, it is no guarantee that they will be birds from which one chooses to breed as adults."
The other varieties can be bred from as pullets and cockerels, in so far as their colour is concerned, but although they may show promise of being good type at this age, it is usually advisable to wait until they are two years old, as beards and boule (feathers at the back of the neck) do not develop fully until the birds are adult.
All eggs are hatched in an incubator and the chicks are reared under electric hovers. Although he considers that broodies are the ideal way in which to hatch and rear them, the labour involved is far too great, and extremely successful results have been obtained with his present method, which is followed by a large number of Belgian fanciers.
Mr Sears hopes to rear about 15 to 20 chicks from each pen making a total of about 175 to 200 birds. These are gradually thinned down until those left - usually about 50 per cent of the original number - are available for retention or sale.
Breeding stock is kept in houses which are approximately 8 by 6 ft., and each of these is in a large grass pen. A number of the breeding groups are kept in small arks, which are moved every two or three days when necessary.
Some Belgians have the unfortunate habit of plucking each others beards, and to obviate this trouble, 12 or 18 birds which will be used for showing are put in large, single pens where they are kept until the show season is over.
Belgians will remain good show birds until they are four or five years of age, but the tendency then is for varieties such as Millefleurs to become too much like a "snowball", having too much white on them. They will, however, still be valuable for use as stock birds as they are an extremely tame variety.
It must not be forgotten that the popularity of Belgian bantams throughout the last half-century, and the flourishing state of the club and Belgian fancy today, is primarily due to the unceasing work and interest of Mr Kenneth Ward. It is of tremendous benefit to the fancy that, although he has no birds, his interest is as keen as ever and he never fails to give help, and advice at all times.