 |
 Breeds of Livestock, Department of Animal Science |
Poultry Breeds - Sumatra Chickens
Sumatra
Characteristics: Sumatras are a distinctive fowl which look less like domestic poultry than other chickens. They have rather long tails carried low enough to appear drooping. They have multiple spurs on each leg, dark purple faces and a high degree of greenish luster on jet black plumage. These fowls have a pea comb, red wattles and dark earlobes. Their shanks are leaden gray. Sumatras are generally not aggressive, however, cockerels are known to be agitated during breeding season. Hens do go broody and are considered good mothers. They are active and watchful birds. Sumatras are seasonal birds, in the way that they breed, which is generally around the early Spring and lasting a few months.
Standard Weights:
- APA
- Cock: 5 LBs; Hen: 4 lbs; Cockerel: 4 lbs; Pullet: 3 ½ lbs
- PCGB
- Cock: 2.25 kg - 2.70 kg; Hen: 1.80 kg
Varieties: Blue, Black, White
-
There are other varieties not recognized by the APA or PCGB.
Skin Color: Yellow
Egg Shell Color: White or light tint
Use: The Sumatra is used for eggs and ornamental purposes.
Reference:
Chicken Breeds and Varieties (A2880), John L. Skinner, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Ekarius, Carol. "Chickens: Sumatra." Pocketful of Poultry: Chickens, Ducks, Geese, Turkeys. North Adams, MA: Storey Pub., 2007. 162-63. Print.
Lewis, Celia. "Breed Profiles: Sumatra." The Illustrated Guide to Chickens: How to Choose Them, How to Keep Them. New York: Skyhorse Pub., 2011. 162. Print.
Roberts, Victoria. British Poultry Standards (6th Edition). Hoboken, NJ, USA: Wiley-Blackwell, 2009. ProQuest ebrary. Web. 8 July 2015.
"Sumatra Chicken." The Livestock Conservancy. The Livestock Conservancy, n.d. Web. 08 July 2015.
Images:
-
The Livestock Conservancy PO Box 477, 33 Hillsboro St, Pittsboro, NC 27312
-
Loren Hadley
[