The Sebright was so named after its developer, Sir John Saunders Sebright, a gentleman farmer and Member of Parliament for Hertfordshire. A British creation, it is a miniature bird with no corresponding large fowl to which it is related and is therefore categorised as a 'True Bantam'. The Sebright was created in the 19th century (circa 1800) through a selective breeding program designed to produce an ornamental breed and it has since played a part in the production of other laced fowl. Sir John Sebright's expertise as a stockman and horticulturist was legendary - he bred cattle, sheep and pigeons. Such was his knowledge about livestock that in 1809 he wrote a book called "The Art of Improving Domestic Animals" and later other books followed about hawking and the instincts of animals. However to many people his greatest ambition was in the making of the Sebright bantam - quite simply a masterpiece of beauty.
The Sebright was the first poultry breed to have its own specialist club for enthusiasts and Sebrights were admitted to poultry exhibition not long after their establishment.
There are two colours recognised by The Sebright Club in the UK - gold and silver. The Sebright bantam has a rose comb, covered with fine points narrowing to a small spike or leader; slate-blue unfeathered legs and plumage that is laced around the edges evenly with black, on a base of either dark gold or whitish silver. The males are hen feathered, without curved sickles or pointed neck and saddle hackles. (For the scholars amongst you - the increased formation of oestrogen from androgen in the peripheral tissues probably explains the henny feathering trait!)
Sebrights often will live happily amongst other breeds, but as they are largely an ornamental breed, they only lay tiny, white or cream eggs and are not kept for meat production.
The Sebright was the first poultry breed to have its own specialist club for enthusiasts and Sebrights were admitted to poultry exhibition not long after their establishment.
There are two colours recognised by The Sebright Club in the UK - gold and silver. The Sebright bantam has a rose comb, covered with fine points narrowing to a small spike or leader; slate-blue unfeathered legs and plumage that is laced around the edges evenly with black, on a base of either dark gold or whitish silver. The males are hen feathered, without curved sickles or pointed neck and saddle hackles. (For the scholars amongst you - the increased formation of oestrogen from androgen in the peripheral tissues probably explains the henny feathering trait!)
Sebrights often will live happily amongst other breeds, but as they are largely an ornamental breed, they only lay tiny, white or cream eggs and are not kept for meat production.