Vorwerk Bantam

The Vorwerk Bantam is characterized by a compact, rectangular body that reflects the sturdy landfowl type. It has a broad, deep, and well-curved breast with a well-developed belly. The comb is a single type, of medium size, featuring five or six evenly cut teeth. Its eyes are a vibrant yellowish-red, and the earlobes are pure white, providing a sharp contrast to the black head plumage.

• Legs: Clean and colored leiblauw (slate-blue).
• Plumage: Short, broad, and tight-fitting to the body.
• Stance: Appears somewhat low to medium-high, giving it a powerful but elegant profile.

Despite their small size, Vorwerk Bantam hens are known for their excellent laying power. They typically produce around 160 eggs per year, which is quite high for a bantam variety. The eggs are yellowish or cream-colored and have a minimum weight of approximately 1.2 oz (35g).

Sexual dimorphism is evident in the plumage details. The rooster displays a purely black head, neck hackles, and tail. Its saddle feathers are deep gold but may show fine black shaft streaks. In contrast, the hen's neck feathers near the head often show slight gold edging, which is an accepted trait.

• Rooster Weight: 2-2.4 lbs (900-1100g).
• Hen Weight: 1.4-2 lbs (650-900g).
• Hen: Features a more horizontal posture and a well-defined laying belly when in production.

The Vorwerk Bantam is a hardy and robust breed. They are active foragers that adapt well to various backyard conditions. While they are resilient in cooler climates, as with most single-combed breeds, they should be protected from extreme frost to prevent comb damage.

The breed is primarily recognized in the Gold Lakenvelder pattern. This consists of an intensive buff or deep gold body color that is neither too light nor too red. The head, hackles, and tail must be a solid, deep black. The under-color is strictly required to be gray, never brown or yellow.