Hamburg (chicken)

The Hamburg or Hamburgh in Britain, is a type of chicken developed in Germany and Holland prior to 1700. It is comparatively rare, with less than 1000 registered in North America each year. [http://www.history.org/Almanack/life/animals/pr_rare.cfm]

Appearance and behavior

It is a small breed--cocks tend to weigh only 5 pounds and hens about 4 lb (2.25 and 1.75 kg) with slender legs and a neat pea comb. The bird comes in more than ten different varieties, including: Silver-Spangled, Golden-Spangled, Golden-Penciled, Silver-Penciled, White, and Black. Penciled breeds are smallest and self-colored birds are largest. They are hardy, active birds who are capable of flight and often jumpy around humans.

Eggs

Hamburgs mature quickly and are considered good egg producers. Their eggs are white, with glossy shells, and rather small.

Famous Hamburgs

Perhaps the most famous devotee of the Hamburg chicken was L. Frank Baum, author of the Oz books. He began a monthly trade journal in 1880 and in 1886, published his first and only book on the subject, "The Book of the Hamburgs: A Brief Treatise upon the Mating, Rearing, and Management of the Different Varieties of Hamburgs". [http://www.biblio.com/authors/700/L_Frank_Baum_Biography.html]

In Baum's third Oz book, "Ozma of Oz," he introduces Dorothy Gale's chicken, Billina. He must have drawn on his experience in breeding Hamburgs when creating her character, as she is appropriately spirited and active.

References

* Green-Armytage, Stephen (2003) "Extraordinary Chickens", New York: Harry N. Abrams Publishers

External links

* [http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/dual.html Henderson's Own Chicken Breed Chart]
* [http://www.silverspangledhamburg.com Learn a few tips about buying and raising hamburgs]