Let’s go back in history and try and see where these beautiful little bantams came from. Most bantam breeds share some of the same history.  Having been brought and introduced to countries by trade or merchant ships. Trade routes throughout the East Indies islands were established.  With sailors discovering many tiny islands abundant in indigenous jungle fowl, which is believed to be the ancestors of what we have today. Merchants and traders returning from voyages to their home countries provided their countrymen with new fowl mainly for pure enjoyment.  The bantams brought back from the trade routes also provided the Bantam genes to which breeders of that day were enabled to create smaller versions of the Standard breeds. Eventually through generations of selective breeding was the emergence of what we see as the Dutch bantam.

  Through the dispersion of these tiny jungle fowl throughout Europe, bantams and breeding of bantams became popular.  Evidence of their popularity can be seen in paintings dating back as far as the 1600’s with versions that are quite similar in type as to what is portrayed today. One such painting was done by, vanGink in 1913. Though they are “Barnyard” paintings it does give evidence and credibility to the existence to many a tiny bantam. Especially the Dutch, or Hollandische Zwerghner, as it is called in Germany.

  Fowl have seemed to survive many a changing government, borders and time. They have remained much a part of a country’s history. For the Dutch bantam it appears to have become part of the history of Eastern and European countries. Establishing itself in Britain, Germany and Holland. Many sources tell us that in the 1800’s this tiny bantam became known as the Partridge Bantam. In visiting Holland and Britain today it is still referred to as the Partridge Bantam. Not only was the establishment of a name given as Partridge Bantam, but the establishment of a basic variety. It is a standardized color for U.S. breeders as Light Brown.

The Dutch bantam became distinguished in Holland and was included in their standard around 1906. The establishments through selective breeding, and popularity, it became known as the Dutch Bantam.

  Our history here in the United States is a little easier to trace, yet no less signifigent.  The Dutch were imported into North America in the 1950’s with first exhibitions of these classy bantams at shows in New York, Ohio and Chicago. Like with so many new fowl introduced lack of popularity can be a determining factor in the stability of the breed. Dutch bantams were again imported into this country in 1969 and 1970. Many of the lines originating form these first imports are still being bred and shown in Canada and the U.S. today.  Some found their way into the hands of breeders in the Wisconsin and Tennessee areas. One factor that has helped the Dutch breeders of North America has been the willingness and dedication of prominent Dutch breeders from Holland in sharing their bloodlines to Canadian and American breeders. Even getting past the language barrier. Translations of Dutch and German to English have been hard and slow coming. Yet with vigilance and friendship a few breeders have made great progress. They remain to this day in constant contact with several U.S. breeders.

  At this time the popularity of these bantams began to increase. With much of the credit going to the perseverance of about 40 original charter members of the Dutch Bantam Society. Their dedication was to restore the breed to its proper type, increase its popularity and gain admittance to the standard. By the mid 80’s you were seeing this fanciful bantam shown. Even before the establishment of the society breeders were working on admittance to the standard. Showing an account of true dedication to this breed. Breeders made a conscious effort to get these fowl into the hands of breeders and youth. The youth have been of vital importance in the promotion and popularity of the breed throughout the country, by exhibiting its unique personality in providing them with showmanship birds. Several of our youth members are finding wonderful success not only in their breeding pens but also on the show room floor. It has also been their dedication and recognition of the breed that has given some areas of the country the numbers for the qualifying meets. They are valued members of the Dutch club.

 The American Bantam Association recognized it, and then again in 1987 revisions were made to the descriptions of colors. With the dedication of these breeders to establish two recognized varieties Light Brown and Blue light Brown.

  With this done they were in pursuit of admittance to the American Standard of Perfection. In 1990 a constitution was written and the establishment of the American Dutch Bantam society was formed. In 1991 a qualifying meet was held for admittance into the American Standard, for recognition of Light Brown and Silvers, and voted upon by the board in 1992. 1993 another qualifying meet to include Blue light Brown into the APA was approved by the board in 1994. Next goal sought has been the Black Dutch admittance. The Black Dutch has now been admitted to APA. Qualifying meet was in Georgia in 2000. Voted and approved by APA, will be included in the next edition of APA Standard of Perfection.

  For the Dutch here in the United States its history is still in the making. Admittance to the standard for Cream Light Brown, which is indigenous only in the Dutch bantam, is the next goal. As for the show room you will see an increase in quality fowl shown, due to that fervor us Dutch breeders have. We are growing in numbers with all seeking the original goal. To establish this hearty breed here in the United States. We aim to encourage and promote popularity in and out of the show room.

  We are a dedicated club come join us in the making of history for the Dutch.

 For more information or interest in the breed or club contact;

Roy Shell  HC 65 Box 196  Wagarville, AL 36585 or visits us on the Internet at the American Dutch Bantam Society

http://www.dutchbantamclub.com/

Contributors to this article; American Dutch Bantam Society

Dusty Miller

Jean Robocker

Roy Shell

Meet breeders, exhibitors & post on our forum

Visit My Friend Jean Robocker http://www.dutchbantams.com/

Some of the finest Dutch in The Country

bred by my Friend Ric Ashcraft at Ashley Pines

http://ashleypines.hypermart.net/index.html

To Learn about proper Type visit the Photos of Dutch

Written by

Debbie-lee Porter

 2002