JC
Joined: 24 Mar 2008
Posts: 1101
Location: Sussex
|
 Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 8:34 pm Post subject: |
 |
|
ORIGIN - SULTAN
These fowl originally hail from Turkey, where,
according to tradition, they used to live in the
Sultan’s gardens in what was then called
Constantinople.
In the year 1854, a couple of white birds were
exported to England.
Apart from this reading of the breeds origin, there
are references to Siberian crested fowl as these are
allegedly five-toed, a quality that our contemporary
sultan has as well.
There is a drawing from 1881 that is remarkable,
for it shows the sultan with yellow legs, where as its
present-day leg colour is blue.
Due to the world wars in Europe,
the animal was already
more or less extinct, with the exception of British
stocks.
Later on it was reconstructed from various breeds;
so sadly, most strains of the current sultan on the
continent no longer descend from the
sultan’s original chickens.
APPEARANCE
Sultans are quite small chickens, the birds having a
rather cobby build together with a fairly low
stature.
The weight of an adult cock is about 4 1/2 lbs
(largefowl) 24-28oz (bantam).
The animals are full-feathered, and the neck has a
very profuse plumage, so that the back looks
shorter than it actually is.
The head is adorned by a full, globular and large
crest.
In front of the crest is a V-shaped comb (horncomb)
which in the hen is almost buried within the crest.
A full, three-clump beard replaces wattles.
A well-spread tail is carried medium high.
The slaty-blue legs are full-feathered,
and there are well developed vulture hocks.
Sultans are calm and friendly birds.
The hens lay reasonably well and the eggs are
white. |
|
FAQ
Search
Register
Log in
