Dresdener Bantam

The Dresdener Bantam is a medium-heavy bantam with a somewhat elongated type and rounded forms. It is barely medium-high set and has a lively nature.

• Weight: Roosters typically weigh between 2.43-2.65 lbs (1100-1200g), while hens weigh 1.98-2.20 lbs (900-1000g).
• Comb: They feature a rose comb that is quite broad from the front. The comb spike should follow the neck line. The comb is red.
• Head: Quite small, with a red face covered with fine feathers.
• Eyes: Orange-red to red.
• Earlobes and Wattles: Earlobes are medium-sized and red. Wattles are medium-long and red.
• Legs: Shanks are clean (unfeathered), medium-long, sturdy, with four toes, and are yellow in color.
• Feathering: The plumage is broad and smooth-fitting, with quite full down. The back is medium-long and broad, slightly rising towards the broad saddle. The tail has broad main tail feathers, well-spread and quite openly carried, with broad, medium-long sickles and lesser sickles covering it well.

Dresdener Bantams are known for good egg production, making them a practical choice for backyard enthusiasts in addition to their ornamental qualities. Their excellent winter laying is a notable trait.

• Egg Production: Hens can lay approximately 150-180 eggs per year. (Scaled down from 200+ for large fowl).
• Egg Size & Color: They lay small to medium-sized white eggs, with an average weight of about 1.2 oz (35g). (Scaled down from 55g for large fowl).
• Broodiness: Dresdener hens are generally not very broody, focusing instead on consistent egg production. This characteristic makes them reliable layers throughout the season.

Beyond the typical secondary sexual characteristics, Dresdener Bantam roosters and hens share many structural features. However, there are a few subtle distinctions:

The rooster displays a broad, full, and well-rounded chest carried forward. Its richly developed hackle flows over a medium-long and broad back that gently rises towards a well-developed, rather broad saddle. The tail is carried at a medium-high angle without a distinct corner from the saddle, with broad and well-spread main tail feathers and sickles.

The hen tends to carry her tail slightly lower than the rooster. She may also show slight cushion feathering on her back, which is permissible. Her body is full and broad. Her rose comb is small and firm.

The Dresdener Bantam is a hardy breed, well-equipped to handle various weather conditions. The original Dresdener fowl was noted for its hardiness against weather influences, and the bantam retains this robustness.

They do not have high demands for housing, but a clean, dry, and adequately sized coop is always beneficial. Their lively nature means they appreciate space to move and forage, though they are generally calm enough for more confined environments.

The Dresdener Bantam is recognized in several distinct color varieties, offering a range of aesthetic choices for breeders and enthusiasts:

• Red-Brown (Roodbruin): A rich, reddish-brown base color.
• Black (Zwart): Solid, glossy black plumage.
• White (Wit): Pure white plumage.
• Blue Laced (Blauwgezoomd): Blue plumage with a darker lacing on each feather.
• Cuckoo (Koekoek): A barred pattern of light and dark grey or blue across the plumage.