The Rosecomb chicken is a true bantam breed, meaning that there is no larger counterpart. They are raised for ornamental use rather than meat or egg production due to their small size. In fact, they are used almost exclusively for exhibiting.
Rosecomb hens will lay only about 60 small, cream-colored eggs per year. They are moderately likely to go broody.
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Rosecomb Chicken Breed Quick Info
Rosecomb Chicken Description
Rosecomb Type/Size: | Bantam |
Feather Color: | Black |
Leg Type: | Clean |
Leg Color: | White |
Skin Color: | White |
Rosecomb Ease of Raising/Keeping: | Medium |
Rosecomb Special Care Needs: | Yes |
Is the Rosecomb breed a common, rare, or protected breed of chicken? | Rare |
Rosecomb Use
Meat | No |
Eggs | No |
Dual Purpose | No |
Rosecomb Temperament: | Active |
Rosecomb Ability/Likelihood to Free Range: | Yes |
Rosecomb Egg Production
Egg Color | Cream |
Egg Size | Small |
Estimated Number of Eggs Per Year | 60 |
Likeliness to Brood Eggs/Raise Chicks | Moderate |
Rosecomb Meat Production
Dressed Weight Male | N/A |
Dressed Weight Female | N/A |
Rosecomb Climate Tolerance
Heat | Poor |
Cold | Good |
Rosecomb Age to Maturity
Number of Months to Reach Full Size | 7-9 Months |
Number of Months to Start Egg Laying | 6 Months |
Number of Weeks/Months to Reach Meat Harvest Size | N/A |
Rosecomb Size at Maturity
Male | 1.75 lbs |
Female | 1.5 lbs |
Origins of Rosecomb Chicken
The Rosecomb chicken originated in England and is one of the oldest breeds of bantam chickens. They are recorded as early as the 1500s and were famously raised by King Richard III.
By the 19th century, they had been imported to the United States and soon after became a popular exhibition bird.
Some Things to Know About Rosecomb Chicken
The Rosecomb chicken is named after its bright red rose-shaped comb. They have clean legs and round, white earlobes. You’ll be able to recognize them by their proud, upright carriage and fanned-out, upright-held tail.
This breed comes in several different color varieties, including black, white, and blue, and other unrecognized colors, such as barred, mottled, lemon blue, red pyle, and more. However, the most common color of plumage is a beautiful black with a green beetle sheen.
How Easy is it to Keep Rosecomb Chickens?
These birds do well in confinement. They are not very docile but are also not known to be aggressive. Although they excel in confinement, they are good flyers and require fencing around their run.
This breed does well in the cold but is not especially heat-hardy. They can be tricky to raise, so they are not recommended for first-time poultry owners.
Special Care and Considerations for Rosecomb Chickens
Because Rosecomb chickens are flyers, make sure to have fencing around their enclosure. This breed is recommended for experienced chicken owners, as they are not ideal pet chickens. They are mainly raised for exhibition.