reading time: 5 minutes
ReproductionSicilian Buttercups, also known as Flowerbirds or simply Buttercups, are a heritage chicken breed known for their unusual crown-shaped crest and unique color.
Origin: Farm poultry with cup-like combs has been known in Sicily for centuries. Its plumage varied as farmers were more interested in their spawning abilities. Similar combs have been observed in North Africa, particularly in the two indigenous subspecies Berbera and Tripolitana. Around 1600, Italian naturalist Ulisse Aldrovandi described similar birds, which also appear in European paintings of the era. It is believed that the Sicilian breed evolved from the interbreeding of local chickens with those brought from North Africa.
While the Italians unified Sicily In the early 20th century, Sicilian Buttercup chickens were developed in America from Sicilian chickens shipped to Massachusetts in the late 19th century. This has resulted in the two breeds differing in traits such as size and colouring.
[optin-monster-shortcode id=”e9huclfjt4oy1ak6ifrp”]
History of the Sicilian buttercup chicken
Sicilian immigrants may have brought some of the birds from Sicily to America during the 1830s. However, the first well documented import was around 1863 by Captain Cephas Dawes, of Dedham (Massachusetts). He regularly shipped fruit from Sicily to Boston. On one trip, he bought a “coop” of chickens from the local market to provide fresh meat for the trip. Soon after sailing, the hens laid, and so consistently, that it made sense to keep them for a regular egg supply. Fresh eggs were as much a luxury as fresh meat on a cruise.
After landing in Massachusetts, he took the birds to his father’s farm in Dedham, where local breeder C. Carroll Loring took great care of them. He was impressed by the cup-like comb and golden colour, he coined the name Buttercup. Having secured a flock, Loring raised it purebred, including subsequent imports, for about 50 years. Some imports did not produce birds with the desired comb shape, leg color, or plumage pattern, so it was difficult to generate interest in the new breed. Finally, birds of desirable traits with the best Loring stock were bred to form the basis of the American breed.
After 1908, popularity grew as the breed found new champions forming the American Buttercup Club in 1912. During the first year, there were 200 members, and 500 by 1914.
Standardization and preservation
The American Poultry Association recognized the breed in 1918. However, it was difficult to meet the standard for markings, earlobe color and good combs, while maintaining utility. Apart from differing opinions about the plumage, the color of the earlobes tends to be red and white, although the standard is set red, as in Britain. Finally, the standard was modified in 1928 for mainly white earlobes (which is common among Mediterranean breeds) and an agreed pattern for plumage. However, excessive promotion has left some keepers somewhat disappointed with average egg production. Consequently, the breed’s fame was short lived and it soon became extremely rare.
Breeders in Britain imported from America in the early 2000s, forming a breed club that also enjoyed short-lived popularity. However, numbers fell sharply in both countries in the 1920s. British breeders also imported from Sicily, and then again from America in the 1970s. Bantams were developed in the mid-20th century and are recognized by the American Bantam Association.
conservation status: In 2022, Livestock Conservation changed the status of the Sicilian buttercup on its conservation priority list from “seen” to “critical,” as its numbers have declined from more than 1,000 recorded breeding birds to fewer than 500 in the United States. There are also very few around the world. Similarly, Sicily in Italy has fallen sharply in recent years. The American Ranunculus Club reports, “The Ranunculus fell into near obscurity, and was rescued by a handful of committed breeders. Today, the Ranunculus remains rare in both large bird and bantam forms.”
Biodiversity: The unusual comb buttercup is a rare genetic variety and its frugal foraging skills are valuable to free-range poultry. A completely unique plumage color was developed through selective breeding in America.
Characteristics of the Sicilian Buttercup chicken
a descriptionMedium in size, long body curves gently from head to tail. The hen’s tail is wide spread, and her stomach is full. These qualities give the hen the characteristics of a healthy egg. However, the color of the hen is most prized: a golden neck with few, or better, no markings; The body feathers are buff bearing parallel rows of oval black lusters. The male is orange-red with a bright neck and saddle, and a black tail. The black markings have an iridescent green sheen. The eyes are reddish and the beak is light pink. The earlobes are white, usually with a red tint (red is preferred in Britain). Feather markings, comb shape, and earlobe coloration are the main challenges that exhibitors face to perfection, and it is difficult to gauge final coloration until 6-7 months of age. Hens may grow spurs.
varietiesIn America, only the original Golden is recognized, while the Silver variety was developed in Britain.
skin colour: yellow, giving the stems a willow-green colour, with the yellow skin covering a dark gray undercoat.
combA distinctive cup-shaped crown composed of regular, medium-sized points. The crown is the result of joining two single combs at the front and back.
common use: gallery or layers.
egg colour: white.
egg size: small to medium.
productivity: 140-180 eggs per year. Hens are usually not babysitters.
Weight: average chicken weight 5 lb (2.3 kg); Cocks are 6.5 lbs (3 kg). Medium Bantam Chicken 22 oz. (620 g); cocks 26 oz. (735 grams).
print: Very energetic and energetic, they love to explore and do not tolerate confinement. Although it is not very vocal, it is very talkative with members of the flock. Some breeds of Sicilian buttercup are flighty, while others are calm and friendly, especially if handled when chicks.
AdaptabilityThey are excellent foragers, more scratching and digging than most breeds. Thus, they are useful for composting, and can support themselves when free-range. They tolerate heat well, but hate cold weather. Large combs are prone to frostbite.
sources:
Originally published in the June/July 2023 issue of Backyard poultry They are checked regularly for accuracy.