SUMATRA
LARGE FOWL
Origin: Asia Classification: Light: Rare Egg colour: White |
Sumatra Female
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The Sumatra, which comes from the island of Sumatra or the Malay Archipelago, was admitted to the American standard in 1883. With the help of Lewis Wright and Frederick R. Eaton the British standard was drawn up in 1906 under the name of Black Sumatra. A long, flowing tail, carried horizontally, and a pheasant-like carriage are distinguishing characteristics. Sumatras are prolific layers of white eggs and excellent sitters, especially being used to hatch waterfowl. In the late 1970s, a strain of bantams was recreated.
General characteristics: male
Carriage: Straight and upright in front, pheasant-like, giving a proud and stately appearance.
Type: Body rather long, very firm and muscular, broad, full and rounded breast. Back of medium length, broad at shoulders, very slightly tapering to tail. Saddle hackle very long and flowing. Stern narrower than shoulders, but firm and compact. Strong, long and large wings, carried with fronts lightly raised, the feathers folded very closely together, not carried drooping or over the back. Long drooping tail with a large quantity of sickles and coverts, which should rise slightly above the stern and then fall streaming behind, nearly to the ground. Sickle and covert feathers not too broad.
Head: Skull small, fine, and somewhat rounded. Beak strong, of medium length, slightly curved. Eyes large and very bright, with a quick and fearless expression. Comb pea, low in front, fitting closely, the smaller the better. Face smooth and of fine texture. Earlobes as small as possible and fitting very closely.
Neck: Rather long, and covered with very long and flowing hackle.
Legs and feet: Of strictly medium length, thick and strong. Thighs muscular, set well apart. Shanks straight and strong, set well apart, with smooth even scales, not flat or thin. (Note: single spurs are allowed, but multiple spurs are a characteristic of the breed, so are preferred). Feet broad and flat. Toes, four, long, straight, spread well apart, with strong nails, the back toe standing well backward and flat on the ground.
Plumage: Very full and flowing, but not too soft or fluffy.
Female
Main tail feathers are wide and well spread, the top two feathers curved in a convex manner and carried nearly horizontally. Coverts are moderately long, wide and abundant. Otherwise the general characteristics are similar to those of the male, allowing for the natural sexual differences.
BANTAM
Sumatra bantams should follow exactly the large fowl standard.
General characteristics: male
Carriage: Straight and upright in front, pheasant-like, giving a proud and stately appearance.
Type: Body rather long, very firm and muscular, broad, full and rounded breast. Back of medium length, broad at shoulders, very slightly tapering to tail. Saddle hackle very long and flowing. Stern narrower than shoulders, but firm and compact. Strong, long and large wings, carried with fronts lightly raised, the feathers folded very closely together, not carried drooping or over the back. Long drooping tail with a large quantity of sickles and coverts, which should rise slightly above the stern and then fall streaming behind, nearly to the ground. Sickle and covert feathers not too broad.
Head: Skull small, fine, and somewhat rounded. Beak strong, of medium length, slightly curved. Eyes large and very bright, with a quick and fearless expression. Comb pea, low in front, fitting closely, the smaller the better. Face smooth and of fine texture. Earlobes as small as possible and fitting very closely.
Neck: Rather long, and covered with very long and flowing hackle.
Legs and feet: Of strictly medium length, thick and strong. Thighs muscular, set well apart. Shanks straight and strong, set well apart, with smooth even scales, not flat or thin. (Note: single spurs are allowed, but multiple spurs are a characteristic of the breed, so are preferred). Feet broad and flat. Toes, four, long, straight, spread well apart, with strong nails, the back toe standing well backward and flat on the ground.
Plumage: Very full and flowing, but not too soft or fluffy.
Female
Main tail feathers are wide and well spread, the top two feathers curved in a convex manner and carried nearly horizontally. Coverts are moderately long, wide and abundant. Otherwise the general characteristics are similar to those of the male, allowing for the natural sexual differences.
BANTAM
Sumatra bantams should follow exactly the large fowl standard.
Please contact the breed registrar for more information - [email protected]
