Sumatra Bantam

The Sumatra Bantam is defined by its very long and stretched body and a distinct pheasant-like posture. One of its most iconic features is the small, snake-like head with a broad forehead and heavy, overhanging eyebrows that give it a somber yet challenging expression. They possess a small pea comb that is set low on the head and deep dark-red to blackish earlobes.

Roosters weigh approximately 2.0-2.2 lbs (900-1000g), while hens weigh between 1.5-1.8 lbs (700-800g). Their legs are a unique dark olive-green to blackish-green with yellowish soles. A remarkable breed trait is the multi-spurred nature of the roosters, it is common and preferred for them to have two or even three spurs on each leg.

Unlike many other Asian breeds that lay tinted or brown eggs, the Sumatra Bantam is known for laying white to creamy white eggs. They are moderate layers, producing around 100 eggs per year. Each egg typically weighs about 1.1-1.2 oz (30-35g). While not a commercial production breed, the hens are known to be excellent and protective mothers if allowed to sit on their eggs.

The rooster is the showpiece of the breed, featuring very rich plumage and long, flowing sickle feathers that can sometimes reach the ground in older specimens. His tail is carried horizontally and is exceptionally full. Roosters are also characterized by their multiple spurs, a rarity in the poultry world.

The hen is smaller and carries herself in a slightly less upright manner. Her tail is also long and features slightly curved upper tail feathers that extend beyond the main tail. In the hen, the face and eyes are typically even darker than those of the rooster, and her comb is significantly smaller.

Despite being 'children of their sunny homeland' in the tropics, Sumatra Bantams are surprisingly hardy chickens. They can adapt well to colder climates provided they are given well-maintained housing that is free from drafts. Because of their active nature and wild ancestry, they appreciate large enclosures where they have space to move and perch high up, mimicking their natural jungle environment.

The primary and most famous color is Black, which must display an intense beetle-green sheen over the entire body. Other recognized or historical varieties include:

• Blue: A uniform slate-blue color.
• Black-Red: Features red feathers in the neck and saddle of the rooster.
• White: Pure white plumage with sufficient gloss.
• Wild-colored: The darkest form of wild plumage, with roosters showing red in the neck and saddle while the rest of the body is black with green gloss.

The Sumatra is one of the oldest known chicken breeds, originating from the Sunda Islands (Sumatra, Java, and Borneo). They were originally feral birds that lived independently of humans in the jungle. In 1847, the first specimens were brought from Angers Point on Sumatra to Boston, USA. They were initially known as 'Sumatra Game' and were valued for their exotic beauty and fighting spirit.

They reached Germany in 1882 and the United Kingdom around 1870. The bantam version was developed later, with the German strain emerging around 1900. Today, they are prized worldwide as ornamental exhibition birds rather than game fowl.

The Sumatra Bantam carries interesting genetic traits, most notably polyplactronism (the development of multiple spurs), which is a rare feature inherited from its wild ancestors. Additionally, the dominant white gene in the white variety can occasionally allow for a slight creamy tint, which is acceptable in some standards. The intense beetle-green gloss is a polygenic trait that breeders carefully select for to avoid 'purple barring' or bronze tints.