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BOSVOORDE

A few breeders in Brussels took it upon themselves to create a rumpless bearded Watermael, and they succeeded. At the National Poultry Show in Brugge (1997) the Bosvoorde Bearded bantam was entered for recognition. The Bosvoorde is not just a crested Grubbe. The differences between the Bosvoorde and the Grubbe should be the same as the ones between the Watermael and the d'Anvers. The name was chosen as there is a village in Belgium called "Watermael-Bosvoorde", so the Bearded Watermael and the Bearded Bosvoorde will also be linked just as inseparably as the village.

Left: Bosvoorde cock

Right: Bosvoorde hen

   Web design, graphic art and manufacture by Stephen Miller.
   

Said the first little chick, with a wiggle and a squirm,

I wish I had a nice fat worm.

Said the second little chick, with a giggle and a squeal.

I wish I had some fine yellow meal.

Said the old mother hen, from the green cabbage patch,

If you really want it, then get out and scratch!

BARBU du GRUBBE

Robert Pauwels is generally acknowledged as the person who first produced the Barbu du Grubbe (which is the rumpless Barbu d'Anvers) around 1904. There is virtually no record of their history. However it is known that the first ones were bred near the small town of Kortenberg in Belgium.  These were probably due to chance, though the lack of a tail would be the result of some changes in the genetic code of the d'Anvers.  Once such a bird is hatched more can then be bred as the gene for "rumpless" is dominant. There were several other rumpless breeds and these appeared to be quite popular in  parts of Europe.  In all respects the de Grubbe should be exactly the same type as the d'Anvers, except for the tail.  This should be completely absent, with no rudimentary tip or tail feathers.  In true rumpless birds the last of the tail vertebra is missing.  As this is where the tail feathers grow, they also should be missing.  

  Blue du Grubbe hen from Europe

BARBU d'EVERBERG

The Barbu d'Everberg is the rumpless version of the d'Uccle.  Not a lot is known of its origin, but the first known examples were bred at Everberg, a small town near Brussels in Belgium, hence the name.  The d'Everberg were never very popular and the breed had virtually disappeared by 1918.  However, it now seems to be gaining popularity in Europe and the numbers, though still low,  are growing rapidly.  The colours and type are similar to that of the d'Uccle, but with a complete absence of tail and tail feathers.   As with the du Grubbe the rumpless factor is dominant, though not completely in the d'Everberg.  In some cases birds will be bred with rudimentary tail feathers.  These birds should not be bred from or shown.  The true d'Everberg should have a smooth, well rounded rump with no evidence of tail or feathers.  The d'Everberg (as are the d'Uccle) are susceptible to Marek's  disease, so breeders are advised to vaccinate their birds.  

d'Everberg hen owned by Jaak Bolle from Belgium

     
Above: Millefleur cock and hen from Europe

Here in Australia we have virtually none of the three rumpless breeds at this time though some do turn up occasionally.  Unfortunately they don't seem to breed more rumpless birds.

          
Above:  Silver Millefleur and Millefleur d'Everberg from Australia
Unfortunately the female did not produce any rumpless chickens, then 
died.  The male is currently in Tasmania.

For more information on these birds (and other rare breeds from Belgium) have a look at the ZOBK website.  It may be found at http://www.homepages.hetnet.nl/~zobk/enindex.html  

Please direct enquiries to the Secretary: (Mrs) Irene Hannan
"Mountain View", 930 Caparra Road,
Caparra, via Wingham, NSW 2429
 Telephone:  (02)  65507295  
Email: channan@tpgi.com.au 

The contents of these pages will always remain the property of the Belgian Bantam Club of Australia.  The material may be used for the purposes of private study, research, or to further pass on this information as
permitted under copyright legislation, but only if the source is fully credited at all times.  No part may be reproduced or re-used for any commercial purpose without the written permission of the Belgian Bantam Club of Australia. Further no modification to any of the information may be made without prior written consent.

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