The , nl, Watermaalse Baardkriel, italic=no, is a Belgian

breed A breed is a specific group of domestic animals having homogeneous appearance (phenotype), homogeneous behavior, and/or other characteristics that distinguish it from other organisms of the same species. In literature, there exist several slig ...

of bantam chicken. It originated in the Belgian town of Watermael-Boitsfort ( nl, ), from which it takes its name, which means "bearded

hicken Hicken is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: *Blair Hicken (born 1965), Canadian swimmer *Barry Hicken (born 1946), Canadian politician and farmer *Dan Hicken (born 1963), American television journalist *Harry Hicken Henry Hicke ...

from Watermael". It is closely related to the Barbu d'Anvers, but is distinguished from it by its small, backswept crest of feathers. The

Barbu de Boitsfort The Barbu de Boitsfort or nl, Bosvoordse Baardkriel, italic=no is a breed of true bantam from Belgium. It is a tail-less variety of the Barbu de Watermael, and is otherwise similar to it in every respect. It is named for the commune of Watermae ...

is a rumpless variation, the only difference being that it lacks the

uropygium Pygostyle describes a skeletal condition in which the final few caudal vertebrae are fused into a single ossification, supporting the tail feathers and musculature. In modern birds, the rectrices attach to these. The pygostyle is the main compon ...

, the part of the anatomy that carries the tail.

History

The Barbu de Watermael is among the most recent of Belgian bantam breeds, but its origin is poorly documented. It was created by Antoine Dresse at the estate of La Fougères at Watermael-Boitsfort in the early years of the twentieth century, or, according to one source, in 1915. Neither Dresse nor his son ever revealed what breeds contributed to the creation of the Barbu de Watermael, though the contribution of the Barbu d'Anvers is considered certain. Dresse did say that the

Polish Polish may refer to: * Anything from or related to Poland, a country in Europe * Polish language * Poles, people from Poland or of Polish descent * Polish chicken *Polish brothers (Mark Polish and Michael Polish, born 1970), American twin screenwr ...

had not been used; the cranial protuberance typical of that breed is considered a fault in the Barbu de Watermael. The birds were first shown in 1922, but did not achieve great popularity. A breeders' club was formed in France after the Second World War, and another, the , in the Netherlands in 1971. In number, the Barbu de Watermael is today the second bantam breed in Belgium, with a population of 764 in 2010; it was classed as "in danger" in that year.

Characteristics

The Barbu de Watermael is one of the smallest of all bantams: males weigh and hens It has a narrow backswept crest, a three-part beard and a unique spined rose

comb A comb is a tool consisting of a shaft that holds a row of teeth for pulling through the hair to clean, untangle, or style it. Combs have been used since prehistoric times, having been discovered in very refined forms from settlements dating ba ...

. It is raised almost exclusively as an ornamental fowl. More than thirty colour varieties are recognised in Belgium. Those usually seen are black, brown red, buff Columbia, cuckoo, quail and white; the other colours are rare, and some are in the hands of only one breeder.

References

{{Chicken breeds of Belgium Bantam chicken breeds Chicken breeds Chicken breeds originating in Belgium Watermael-Boitsfort