Adult Sebrights

INTRODUCTION
Sebrights are a great addition to any backyard, whether you are looking for a beautiful pet, a few small eggs every week or a quality bird for showing.They are hardy birds and great with children. Don’t let their small size fool you – these birds have got heart (and plenty of personality) to spare.

APPEARANCE

Their jaunty nature and crisply laced feathers makes Sebrights a favourite among hobby keepers. They are compact birds that carry their wings low and angled vertically toward the ground. They carry their breast forward prominently, and their tail high and spread out. Cocks sport a rose comb.

Two colours of plumage are recognised: Gold Sebrights have an even bay-coloured background rimmed with sharp black lacing present on all feathers, while Silver Sebrights have black lacing on a white background. Legs and feet should be slate grey, while beaks are horn-coloured. Hens may lay up to 200 small, white eggs a year, and rarely go broody. Cocks weigh 620g (22oz) while hens weigh only 510g (18oz).

HISTORY

Designated as a true bantam breed, the small Sebright has no standard breed counterpart and was developed specifically as a bantam by Sir John Sebright in 1800.It was Sebright’s intention to create a small chicken with distinct lace plumage, a feat that required substantial ingenuity and commitment on the part of the breeder to attain.

Although the exact cross-breeding subjects used to produce the Sebright are unknown, poultry experts highly suspect Nankin, Hamburg, Polish, and even Rosecomb breeds may have all been utilized in the development of the Sebright. Accepted into the American Poultry Association in 1874, the Sebright has been a steady fixture in the flashy world of poultry showmanship since that time.

PERSONALITY AND TEMPERAMENT

Because of their intended purpose as an ornamental breed, Sebrights are generally friendly, active, and easygoing. Relatively simple to tame, Sebright roosters are not particularly aggressive, although both males and females of this breed tend to be somewhat skittish, a common trait among bantams.

However, once their initial shyness is overcome, Sebrights are found to be personable and responsive, with many owners asserting that these chickens can easily become pets with the right amount of training and owner interaction.

The Sebright’s engaging, feisty personality makes it an excellent chicken for competitions and shows as they were well trained respond well to the strains of showmanship and can typically handle the noise and bustle of the competition floor.

HEALTH ISSUES AND CARE

Hardy and active, the Sebright does not require much specialized care and can generally be alongside with other chickens as long as enough space is provided. Great foragers, these chickens benefit greatly from opportunities to scratch around the yard and may find so much nourishment on their own that they may eat little of the feed provided.

As social birds, Sebrights do well in confinement as long as they have companions.Sebright chicks are delicate, and the breed is prone to Marek's disease.

GOOD TO KNOW
Although Sebrights may be affectionate birds, their active nature can lead them into trouble. Because of their large wings, Sebrights are reasonably strong fliers and may take flight when stressed or spooked, putting them out of the reach of their owners and into harm’s way.

Let me tell you something about Sebrights – these little birds can make quite a racket when they don’t like something! Like, have you ever seen one stuck in a noisy showroom? But hold up – before you think they’re just screamers, hear this out: They actually need our love and attention to keep calm.