The Rosecomb is one of the oldest ornamental bantams, known in England since at least the 1400s and named for the broad, flat, spike-tipped comb that is the whole point of the breed. Show birds are judged heavily on that comb and on huge, chalk-white, perfectly round earlobes set against tight glossy plumage, most classically black. They're active, showy little birds with no production value — a few dozen tiny white eggs a year at most — and they rarely go broody. Chicks are notoriously tricky to raise and the birds dislike cold, so they're a breed for experienced exhibition keepers.
Heat tolerant
Flighty
Egg colorWhite
Egg production50–100 / year
TemperamentFlighty
BroodinessRare
ClimateHeat tolerant
PurposeShow
Weight
Bantam (Miniature size)
Hen1.4 lb
Rooster1.6 lb
How to spot it
CombRose
A broad, flat, evenly bubbled rose comb ending in a long straight spike — the breed's whole point
Earlobes
Large, round, thick chalk-white lobes
Legs & feet
Dark slate-blue legs, four toes
Look for
Oversized round white earlobes and a showpiece rose comb on a tiny black bantam with a big upright tail
Varieties
Black
BlueSplashBarredBirchenBlack Breasted RedBlack Tailed RedBlue RedBrassyBrown RedBuffBuff ColumbianColumbianCreleCuckooGinger RedGolden DuckwingLemon BlueMille FleurMottledPorcelainRedRed PyleSelf BlueSelf Blue NelSilver DuckwingWheatenWhiteWhite Tailed Red
Rose
