Breed History
The Dutch Bantam or De Hollandse Krielan or (incorrectly) Old Dutch Bantam has been in existence for a long time. Dutch Bantams have been seen in the Netherlands for hundreds of years, but the exact origin of the breed is unclear. It is belived that the ancestors of the Dutch Bantam were Southeast Asian bantams brought back by sailors from the Netherlands, it is known that these tiny chickens were selectively bred because only small eggs could be kept by peasant farmers, while larger eggs were required to be sent to the kitchens of their Landlords.
The first written records referring to Dutch Bantams is from The Hauge Zoo, the written record is dated to 1882. The Dutch Poultry Club recognized the breed by 1906. The first export of Dutch Bantams was to the USA after World War II they were first shown in the country in the early 1950s. But these first overseas population died out due to lack of interest from breeders. The next export to both the United Kingdom and the USA was not until the 1970s. The British Dutch Bantam Club was formed in 1982, and 13 colors were standardized. The American Poultry Association accepted the breed in the show ring in 1992, and the Standard of Perfection describes ten color varieties.
The first written records referring to Dutch Bantams is from The Hauge Zoo, the written record is dated to 1882. The Dutch Poultry Club recognized the breed by 1906. The first export of Dutch Bantams was to the USA after World War II they were first shown in the country in the early 1950s. But these first overseas population died out due to lack of interest from breeders. The next export to both the United Kingdom and the USA was not until the 1970s. The British Dutch Bantam Club was formed in 1982, and 13 colors were standardized. The American Poultry Association accepted the breed in the show ring in 1992, and the Standard of Perfection describes ten color varieties.