- Purpose:Eggs, Ornamental
- Eggs:White
- Egg Size:Small
- Color:Gold
- Comb Type:Cup-shaped
These rare birds have nothing to do withThe Princess Brideor the flower that seems to share their name. Rather, their name likely comes from the buttery golden color of the hen’s necks and the breed-specific, cup-like comb that sits atop their heads like a crown.
Historically, Buttercups were used for egg production on their native island of Sicily (so,at least a little bit to do withThe Princess Bride). Promoters who shipped them to the rest of the world touted their excellent egg production. Buttercups have turned out to be just fair layers, but after taking a glance at their looks, it is easy to see why the primary use of this breed shifted over to ornamental in modern times.
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Characteristics
Visually, a Buttercup chicken is quite a lovely sight. First, there is the distinctive comb that lends the breed its name–two single combs fused together at the front and back of the head. Cascading down from his bright red crown and white earlobes, the roosters have gleaming copper necks, glossy green tails, and willow-green legs and feet.
It is not hard to imagine how these chickens got the nickname “flowerbirds.” The hens are lovely as well, though they look quite different–anotherunique feature of the breed. Golden yellow neck feathers swirl down from her petite crown and fade from an autumn-orange body to a russet brown tail, all spangled with black. If you like the looks and just not the size,there’s a bantam varietyas well.
Buttercups are good,active foragersand thrive in warmer climates. They also mature quickly, and are hardy in nature, so if you give them a warm enough place to live, they can take care of themselves.
These Warm-Weather Birds Will Not Be Contained
Like most fowl developed in the warm, summery Mediterranean region, these birds arenot tolerant of cold climates. They also are totally intolerant of being confined, so combine that with their light frame and good flying abilities, and you have a chicken that will fly the coop any chance it gets.
The best situation for these flighty, active birds is to let them free-range and happily forage under the sun. Buttercups require high fences to keep them safe, and though they are beautiful, theirhigh-strung, human-avoiding naturemay be a bit frustrating for the novice chicken keeper.
What’s The Yield?
在现代主要被称为观赏鸟,毛茛仍然生产一个合格的数量的小规模自耕农的鸡蛋。You can expect aroundtwo small, white eggs a week. These busy chickens fall to thesmaller side of the size spectrum母鸡重达4磅,公鸡重达5磅。
If you want to get into the show ring with your fancy Sicilian chickens, read up on ideal comb conformation. The most desirable shape is a fully-fused cup, resembling a crown, with equally-sized points encircling it. Lesser combs are often unattached at the front, resulting in a head display that looks more like deer antlers.
Breeding for comb perfection will be a labor of love–it takesmore than a yearfor the comb shape to fully mature.
Fun Facts
现在的美国西西里毛茛鸡系都是一个single year’s worth of importsin 1892. The differences between the native stock and the current American versions aresignificant enough to be noticed.
It’s our opinion that those interested in the preservation and curation of the breed should spend some time researching the indigenous Sicilian fowl that gave rise to the current breed. Though the Standard of Perfection currently only allows for one coloration, the population of Sicilian Buttercup chickens worldwide is more diverse than first glance would imply.
For more in-depth information on the breed, check outJanicki Buttercups(a breeder deeply interested in improving the breed) or theAmerican Buttercup Club.
Photos of Sicilian Buttercup Chickens
Resources
- How to Care for Your Sicilian Buttercup Chickens, Chicken Coop Guides
- Sicilian Buttercup Chicken Breed Information, Chicken Heaven On Earth
- Sicilian Buttercup Bantams Details, Purely Poultry
- Sicilian Buttercups, Dare 2 Dream Farms
- Sicilian Buttercup Chickens, Hobby Farms
- Buttercup Chicken, The Livestock Conservancy
- Sicilian Buttercups, Feathersite
- Poultry Breeds – Buttercup Chickens, Oklahoma State University Breeds of Livestock, Department of Animal Science
- Raising Sicilian Buttercups in America, Countryside Daily
- Sicilian Buttercup Chicken is a Rare Mediterranean Breed, Raising Chickens
- About the Breed, American Buttercup Club
- Sicilian Buttercup, My Pet Chicken
- Sicilian Buttercup, Backyard Chickens
- Sicilian Buttercup Chicken Breed Information, Roy’s Farm
- About The Breed, Janicki Buttercups