Sumatra chicken
Breed of chicken
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Sumatra is a European and North American breed of chicken. It derives from birds imported in the nineteenth century from the island of Sumatra in Indonesia as fighting cocks.
- Europe
- North America
| |
| Conservation status | |
|---|---|
| Other names | |
| Country of origin | Indonesia |
| Distribution |
|
| Use |
|
| Traits | |
| Weight | |
| Egg color | white |
| Comb type | pea |
| Classification | |
| APA | all other standard breeds[4] |
| ABA | all other combs, clean legged |
| EE | yes[5] |
| PCGB | rare soft feather: light[6] |
| |
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History
The Sumatra derives from birds brought in 1847 from the island of Sumatra in Indonesia to the United States for use as fighting cocks.[7]: 160 It was recognised in the United States in 1883 and in the United Kingdom in 1906.[8]: 305 Birds were imported to Germany from the United States in 1882.[9]: 86
Characteristics
The original colour of the Sumatra was the black – often with a rich beetle-green sheen – which was added to the American Standard of Perfection in 1883, and was standardised in Britain in 1906.[8]: 305 The blue is the only other colour recognised by the American Poultry Association; it was added in 2003.[4]: 18 The Poultry Club of Great Britain recognises black, blue and white,[8]: 306 while the Entente Européenne recognises the black, black-red and wild type but not the blue.[5]
Cocks weigh 2.25–2.70 kg, and hens about 1.80 kg.[3]: 288 The comb is pea-shaped and as small as possible. The beak, face, earlobes, throat, comb, shanks and feet are as dark as possible, preferably black.[8]: 306
The Sumatra retains a strong flying ability, unlike most modern chicken breeds.[7]: 160
Use
The Sumatra may be reared as an ornamental breed or for showing.[citation needed] Hens are good layers of white or cream-coloured eggs, of which they may lay about 130 per year.[8]: 305 [9]: 86 They are very good sitters, and may be used to hatch eggs of other breeds, including water-fowl.[8]: 305
