MALINES
LARGE FOWL
Origin: Belgium
Classification: Heavy: Rare
Egg colour: Light brown
Origin: Belgium
Classification: Heavy: Rare
Egg colour: Light brown
This breed originates from the town of Mechelen or Malines, in northern Belgium. They were created by a Mr de Winter, from Asiatic imports and local breeds such as the Coucou des Flandres. Standardised in 1898, the Malines were bred as table birds, with a ‘turkey-headed’ variety appearing through crosses with Belgian game. They are a heavy breed, with lightly feathered shanks and feet; the males weighing up to 5kg.
General characteristics: male
Carriage: Upright, but not a sloping back.
Head: Skull strong but not thick. Beak stout, of medium length. Eyes full and intelligent. Comb single straight and upright, of medium size with about five serrations or in turkey-headed, a compact pea comb. Face smooth. Earlobes and wattles of medium length.
Neck: Strong and thick, not too short, profusely covered with short hackles.
Body deep and broad; long flat back carried horizontally and not sloping. Wings rather short and well tucked up. Tail short and carried half horizontally.
Legs: Strong and fairly long. Shanks: lightly feathered. Toes: four, long, straight and strong, outer toe lightly feathered.
Female
With the exception of the legs which are rather short, the general characteristics are similar to those of the cock, allowing for the natural sexual differences.
General characteristics: male
Carriage: Upright, but not a sloping back.
Head: Skull strong but not thick. Beak stout, of medium length. Eyes full and intelligent. Comb single straight and upright, of medium size with about five serrations or in turkey-headed, a compact pea comb. Face smooth. Earlobes and wattles of medium length.
Neck: Strong and thick, not too short, profusely covered with short hackles.
Body deep and broad; long flat back carried horizontally and not sloping. Wings rather short and well tucked up. Tail short and carried half horizontally.
Legs: Strong and fairly long. Shanks: lightly feathered. Toes: four, long, straight and strong, outer toe lightly feathered.
Female
With the exception of the legs which are rather short, the general characteristics are similar to those of the cock, allowing for the natural sexual differences.
Please contact the breed registrar for more information