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The Barbu de Watermael is a small bantam breed from Belgium that is by our reckoning the cutest chicken we’ve ever seen.
| Item | 1+ | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Barbu de Watermael Week-Old Chick Unsexed | 49.00 | |
| Barbu de Watermael Eggs | 15.00 | Sold Out |
On our farm chicken breeds get extra points for hardiness and practicality, and we typically regard them as livestock and not pets. But, after importing the Barbu de Watermael from their native Belgium, we have completely fell under the spell of this beautiful and charming rare chicken breed.
The Barbu de Watermael was created more than a hundred years ago, and it’s unclear exactly which foundational breeds gave rise to this tiny chicken with a unique spined rose comb. With a beard, a crest, and a color palette for its plumage that is extraordinary in its diversity, these friendly little birds seem designed to melt even the most jaded heart. The hens are as small as large quail, and they lay a white egg. Without training they’ll readily learn to eat from your hand and be held as if they were lap dogs. Despite their small size we’ve found them to be hardy as adults, easily settling into the routine of the coop and staying active throughout the day.
Since the chicks for this breed are so small, we will ship them as 1-week-old chicks instead of day-old chicks. Shipping had a very negative impact on the day-olds and it is our hope that shipping them when they are 1 week old will be better for them. The 72-hour guarantee still applies to these 1-week old chicks.
Hatching Eggs - We have found that a lower humidity during the incubation process helps yield a higher hatch rate. We found that a humidity percent around 40% - 45% had much better results than when incubating the eggs at 55% humidity. You want to make sure that the chicks that hatch, hatch with a beard. If they don't, those chicks should be culled.
Disclaimer - A small percentage of offspring from our breeding flock develop wooly or "Silky" feathers (as some people call it). These birds should be culled as this trait is not acceptable for birds intended for breeders. This isn't noticeable on the day of hatch so it will need to be watched for as the birds get older.
The Barbu de Watermael was created more than a hundred years ago, and it’s unclear exactly which foundational breeds gave rise to this tiny chicken with a unique spined rose comb. With a beard, a crest, and a color palette for its plumage that is extraordinary in its diversity, these friendly little birds seem designed to melt even the most jaded heart. The hens are as small as large quail, and they lay a white egg. Without training they’ll readily learn to eat from your hand and be held as if they were lap dogs. Despite their small size we’ve found them to be hardy as adults, easily settling into the routine of the coop and staying active throughout the day.
Since the chicks for this breed are so small, we will ship them as 1-week-old chicks instead of day-old chicks. Shipping had a very negative impact on the day-olds and it is our hope that shipping them when they are 1 week old will be better for them. The 72-hour guarantee still applies to these 1-week old chicks.
Hatching Eggs - We have found that a lower humidity during the incubation process helps yield a higher hatch rate. We found that a humidity percent around 40% - 45% had much better results than when incubating the eggs at 55% humidity. You want to make sure that the chicks that hatch, hatch with a beard. If they don't, those chicks should be culled.
Disclaimer - A small percentage of offspring from our breeding flock develop wooly or "Silky" feathers (as some people call it). These birds should be culled as this trait is not acceptable for birds intended for breeders. This isn't noticeable on the day of hatch so it will need to be watched for as the birds get older.
| Egg Color | white |
| Egg Size | Very small |
| Average number of eggs per year | 100 |
| Gamefowl | no |
| Table Breeds | no |
| Country of Origin | Belgium |
| Also called | Watermaalse Baardkriel |
| Cold tolerant | yes |
| Year of import(s) | 2019 |
