Rosecomb

Rosecomb
	Illustration of the ideal Black Rosecomb male in the American Standard of Perfection, 1905
Conservation status	at risk
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Standard	Rosecomb Bantam Federation (USA)
Traits
Weight	Male: 620 grams; Female: 510 grams;
Comb type	Rose
Classification
APA	Rose comb clean legged
PCGB	True bantam
	Chicken; Gallus gallus domesticus;

The Rosecomb is a breed of chicken named for its distinctive comb. Rosecombs are bantam chickens, and are among those known as true bantams, meaning they are not a miniaturised version of a large fowl. Rosecombs are one of the oldest and most popular bantam breeds in showing, and thus have numerous variations within the breed. An ornamental chicken, they are poor egg layers and not suited for meat production.

History

The Rosecomb is one of the oldest bantam breeds of chicken. The earliest surviving records of the breed are from the 14th century in Britain, though it may have another point of origin.^[3]^: 142 Their popularity as an ornamental breed first took flight after King Richard III began to raise them.^[4]^: 149 Their popularity among poultry enthusiasts continued in to the 19th century, and Rosecombs were shown at the first North American poultry exhibition in 1849, as well as being admitted in to the first edition of American Standard of Perfection in 1874. Today their widespread keeping by breeders persists.^[4]^: 149

Characteristics

Rosecombs are almost exclusively kept for competitive poultry showing, and their characteristics reflect this. Males generally weigh 570–620 g (20–22 oz) and females 450–510 g (16–18 oz).^[3]^: 142 The breed's eponymous trait is its rose comb, which is large compared to its overall body size. They also sport relatively substantial white earlobes, prodigious tails, and a compact body shape. In addition to these general characteristics, Rosecombs appear in 25 different colour variations,^[4]^: 150-151 though black, blue, and white are the most common.^[3]^: 142

Selective breeding solely for appearance has produced birds with striking appearances, but poor egg laying ability, carcasses unsuitable for eating, and some reproductive problems. Due to a genetic trait tied to rose combed chickens, roosters may have low fertility. Hens rarely are inclined to brood their own clutches, and chicks have high mortality rates. However, adult birds are generally hardy and active. Unlike the majority of chickens, Rosecombs are good fliers. They are also usually friendly birds, but cocks may be aggressive.^[4]^: 150

References

^ APA Recognized Breeds and Varieties: As of January 1, 2012. American Poultry Association. Archived 4 November 2017.
^ Breed Classification. Poultry Club of Great Britain. Archived 12 June 2018.
^ ^a ^b ^c Graham, Chris (2006). Choosing and Keeping Chickens. London: Octopus Publishing. ISBN 9780793806010.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Carol Ekarius (2007). Storey's Illustrated Guide to Poultry Breeds. North Adams, Massachusetts: Storey Publishing. ISBN 9781580176675.