Braekel Bantam

The Braekel Bantam is a light-bodied, active bird with a landrace-type build. They have a proud, upright stance with a high tail carriage that can appear somewhat angular. Their body is well-proportioned with a well-rounded breast and a slightly sloping backline. The overall posture is almost horizontal. They have a distinctive, large, fan-shaped tail. The large wings should not extend beyond the body but fit snugly.

• Weight: Roosters typically weigh around 1.87 lbs (850g), while hens are slightly smaller at 1.65 lbs (750g).
• Comb: They possess a medium-sized single comb which is bright red and not too deeply serrated. The comb's heel stands clear of the neck. In hens, the rear of the comb often gracefully flops to one side.
• Earlobes: The earlobes are a distinct bluish-white to pure white and somewhat pear-shaped.
• Eyes: Dark eyes with black rims give the head a very unique expression.
• Legs: Their legs are clean (unfeathered), slate-blue in color, with white toenails.
• Temperament: Braekels are known for being extremely active, alert, and excellent foragers. They thrive in free-range environments where they can explore. This active nature can make them flighty and energetic.

The Braekel has a storied reputation for being a prolific egg layer. The Campine, a breed derived from the Braekel, was even nicknamed the 'every day layer' in England for its consistent productivity. The bantam version of the Braekel retains this excellent trait, making it a top choice for those seeking a steady supply of small eggs.

• Egg Production: Hens can lay approximately 150-180 eggs per year.
• Egg Size & Color: They lay small, pure white eggs, averaging around 1.2 oz (35g).
• Broodiness: The Braekel is considered a non-broody breed. Hens rarely, if ever, show an inclination to sit on their eggs, which means they are not ideal for natural incubation but ensure consistent egg production throughout the laying season.

Distinguishing between male and female Braekel Bantams is straightforward, especially in the penciled varieties, as they mature. Roosters are typically more vibrantly colored. For instance, in Silver Penciled, the rooster has a silver-white neck and back, with some markings in the saddle, while its sickles and tail feathers are solid, glossy black. Their single comb is larger and stands upright.

Hens, by contrast, display the breed's signature penciling pattern across their entire body, including the breast and back, with green-black penciling spots (called 'pelvlekjes' in Dutch) on a warm golden-yellow ground. Their neck hackles are solid gold or silver, forming a distinct cape against the patterned body. The hen's comb is smaller than the rooster's and typically droops slightly to one side. A unique characteristic of the hen is the bluish pigmentation of the head and part of the comb, though the comb's main color is bright red.

As an old European landrace, the Braekel Bantam is a hardy and robust breed well-suited to various climates. They tolerate both cold and moderate heat well, thanks to their active nature and tight feathering. The breed is considered quite resistant to various diseases.

However, their alert and energetic disposition means they are happiest when given ample space to roam and forage. They are known to be freedom-loving and very active. While they can adapt to confinement, they truly thrive in a free-range or large-run environment where they can exercise their natural instincts. Their flightiness makes them adept at evading ground predators, but secure fencing and overhead protection from aerial threats are advisable. Standard, draft-free coop conditions are sufficient to keep them healthy and productive.

The 'Penciled' Pattern

The most defining characteristic of the Braekel is its 'penciled' or 'pelling' pattern. This consists of distinct, parallel black bars running across the feather on a contrasting ground color. In ideal specimens, the black bars are about 2-3 times as wide as the ground color stripes, creating a striking visual effect. The Belgian standard specifies a ratio of 2:1 for black to light banding. Good contrast and a glossy green sheen on the black bands are highly desired.

Recognized Varieties

Several color varieties are recognized in Europe, including:

• Gold Penciled (Goudpel): A rich golden-bay ground color with glossy black barring.
• Silver Penciled (Zilverpel): A clean silver-white ground color with glossy black barring.
• Lemon Penciled (Geelgebanden): A lemon-yellow ground color with black barring. This color was recognized in 1998.
• Chamois Penciled: A buff or chamois ground color with white barring.
• Solid varieties such as Black and White are also recognized. The white variety may show a faint penciling on a white recessive ground color, known as the damask effect.
• Blue: A uniform grey-blue color without distinct lacing or barring.