Top 3 Reasons to Choose Sebrights for your Breeding Program
1) On the Conservancy List as a Threatened Breed
There are a number of at risk breeds of poultry on the Conservancy List (see here)
Sebrights are a more challenging bird to breed, possibly why they are on the threatened conservancy list. They are one of the few breeds in which the cocks are hen feathered, that is they do not have the long, sickle shaped saddle, neck and tail feathers. The mutation responsible for the hen feathering makes them difficult to breed. Due to their genetic make-up, males on occasion will be born infertile, further complicating breeding. They come in a variety of colors with the two most well known colors being Gold and Silver Laced. They are also poor layers, only expected to lay around 70 eggs per season, with a low fertility rate. The best times a year depending on location tends to be when it warms up first thing in the spring. With such a short breeding/laying season the eggs are like little gold nuggets to a dedicated breeder. When they are so few and far between you need to make the most of what you can get, treating each egg as a delicate little treasure, fingers crossed they will hatch. With so few hatching it is also harder to maintain a strong, diverse breeding flock, and finding the breed to add new stock is even harder. More dedicated breeders are needed to preserve the breed.
2) One of the Oldest True Bantams
Being one of the oldest true bantams out there it would be sad to see the breed become extinct, especially such a striking breed. The Sebright Bantam were admitted to the APA in 1874, developed by Sir John Sebright in approximately 1810 it is on of the oldest known British bantams that took Sir John over 30 years to develop. They were the first chicken breed to have its own breed club and the only breed named after an individual. A true bantam, meaning there is no standard version of the breed, they are small upright standing birds with a pronounced chest and striking laced plumage. Sebrights have unfeathered legs with slate blue skin, and their beaks should be a dark horn color. They have rose combs covered with fine points, and roosters have a small yet notable spike that sweeps back from the head. They are a truly stunning ornamental breed.
3) Unbelievably Adorable with a Punch of Personality
Sebrights are honestly one of the most eye-catching breeds in the poultry industry. The tiny physique should not be confused for weak, they are feisty and active little bird with a confident, even slightly demanding personality. Even if you were not looking to get into breeding these birds, owning a few for backyard entertainment is well worth the cost of supporting a breeder of this beautiful, decorative breed. They must be contained for their own safety as my girls easily fly over 9-10 foot fencing even when I had the top of the runs partially netted they would maneuver themselves in flight through the small gaps in the netting and continue to get free. They are not fond of being cooped preferring to free range. They are easily tamed and fond of attention, sitting on shoulders and laps, they will also come flying through the air towards you when they see or hear you around. It is noted that they are not known for their broodiness although both my ladies went broody multiple times throughout the summer months.
