Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
tractive show birds that will surely please the crowd. They are a small bird and only weigh 4
to 5 pounds.
Pekin Bantam
The true bantam, Pekin Bantam, from China circa 1830, is an ornamental breed with an un-
certain history. There are several theories surrounding this breed. One rumor is that the first
Pekin Bantam was stolen from the Chinese emperor's private collection in 1860. Another the-
ory is that the breed was brought from China to Queen Victoria as a gift and then bred with
other breeds, which explains the breed that we know today.
These light birds are great for show. They are extremely gentle and make for great family pets
as well. Children will delight in fact that Pekin Bantams are lively and active, yet very docile
and well adjusted. They are so petite that they require little room. They love to forage for
garden bugs and other pests.
Malay
The Malay chicken comes from Eastern Asia. This aggressive chicken is not recommended
for novice chicken owners. The breed stands tall; some are reported to be close to 3 feet tall.
The Malay is also a heavy breed, with roosters weighing 8 to 9 pounds and hens weighing
about 7 pounds. Flighty and wild, Malays do not tolerate confinement. With their long legs,
slanted eyes, and tight feathers, this breed looks intimidating.
Malays have a clean leg with four toes. They have a reputation for being vigorous and having
a hardy constitution. They come in black, white, spangled, red pyle, black-breasted red, and
wheaton for the female only. The comb is strawberry.
Malay hens are poor egg layers. On average, they lay one egg per week, and the hens are not
broody. Malay chickens should have lots of room to run, roam, and forage. Cold weather does
not suit this breed well because their feathers are hard and do not provide much insulation.
Softer feathers, such as down, hold body heat and protect the birds from the cold. Malays are
best kept as an ornamental bird.
Best Chickens for Egg Laying
A good egg layer will produce 150 to 250 eggs per year. Hens usually start to lay eggs about 4
to 6 months old and will continue to lay eggs into their teens. As a rule, good egg layers
