The Barbu de Watermael is an ornamental and pet chicken breed. These bantam hens lay only about 100 small cream-colored eggs each year, so they are not used for egg production. They are also not raised for meat production due to their small size.
Although hens are poor layers, they do tend to go broody and make excellent mothers. This is a good breed to have it you plan on hatching and raising chicks on your farm.
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Barbu de Watermael Chicken Breed Quick Info
Barbu de Watermael Chicken Description
| Barbu de Watermael Type/Size: | Bantam |
| Feather Color: | Varies |
| Leg Type: | Clean |
| Leg Color: | Slate |
| Skin Color: | White |
| Barbu de Watermael Ease of Raising/Keeping: | Easy |
| Barbu de Watermael Special Care Needs: | Yes |
| Is the Barbu de Watermael breed a common, rare, or protected breed of chicken? | Rare, “endangered” status |
Barbu de Watermael Use
| Meat | No |
| Eggs | No |
| Dual Purpose | No |
| Barbu de Watermael Temperament: | Calm, friendly |
| Barbu de Watermael Ability/Likelihood to Free Range: | No |
Barbu de Watermael Egg Production
| Egg Color | Cream |
| Egg Size | Small |
| Estimated Number of Eggs Per Year | 100 |
| Likeliness to Brood Eggs/Raise Chicks | High |
Barbu de Watermael Meat Production
| Dressed Weight Male | N/A |
| Dressed Weight Female | N/A |
Barbu de Watermael Climate Tolerance
| Heat | Good |
| Cold | Good |
Barbu de Watermael Age to Maturity
| Number of Months to Reach Full Size | 5 Months |
| Number of Months to Start Egg Laying | 5 Months |
| Number of Weeks/Months to Reach Meat Harvest Size | N/A |
Barbu de Watermael Size at Maturity
| Male | 1.5 lbs |
| Female | 1 lb |
Origins of Barbu de Watermael Chicken
These chickens originated in Belgium in the town of Watermael-Boitsfort and are related to other Belgian bantam breeds, like the Belgian D’Anvers. They are true bantam, meaning that there is no full-sized version that exists.
Some Things to Know About Barbu de Watermael Chicken
The most common variety of this breed is black and reddish-brown. Other color varieties include buff-Columbian, cuckoo, quail, and white. They are true bantams with a small, backward-facing crest, a rose comb, and clean legs.
How Easy is it to Keep Barbu de Watermael Chickens?
The Barbu de Watermael is calm and friendly, but males can be aggressive during mating season. They don’t mind confinement and mix well with other breeds. If free range, they need a very secure space, so they do not squeeze through gaps due to their small size.
This breed makes an excellent pet and show chickens because of its docile, friendly temperament. They are ideal for families with children and beginner chicken owners alike.
Special Care and Considerations for Barbu de Watermael Chickens
Barbu de Watermael roosters can be aggressive during mating season. It is best to only keep one rooster per flock to avoid fighting between them. You should also handle chicks frequently so that they grow accustomed to humans.
Their small rose comb and almost non-existent wattles mean that this breed is cold-hardy and not prone to developing frostbite in low temperatures.
