Watchlist |
The Rare Breeds Survival Trust | Cattle | Pigs | Sheep | Goats | Equines | Poultry |
Poultry
Derbyshire Redcap
2008 Watchlist; Category 3, Vulnerable.
The hardy Derbyshire Redcap is one of the native barnyard fowl breeds of northern Britain is classified as a light, soft-feathered breed, and was a common sight on many farms until the middle of the twentieth century.
Originally it was found mainly in the southern Pennines, particularly on High Peak farms and smallholdings, and was very similar to breeds such as the Yorkshire Pheasant and the Lancashire Moonie which were found further north.
The Redcap was named for its distinctive rose comb, the top of which is covered with many prominent points and ends in a short straight leader (spike). The plumage of the cockerel varies from a deep chestnut-red to a black-red with a black breast. The neck and saddle hackles should be dark orange, matching in colour when the head is turned to the tail. The body feathers of the hen end in a half moon black spangle, the rest of the plumage being a rich deep nut-brown. The tails are all black, beaks horn-coloured, face lobes and wattles are red. Legs and feet are slate-grey.
Derbyshire Redcaps are at their best on free range where they can forage for most of their food. The hens produce reasonable numbers of good-sized white eggs and a good amount of quality breast meat.
E-mail thewoodroffesr@btinternet.com