The Pekin has to be one of the few breeds we keep, that our whole family would put up close to the top of their favourite breeds list. 

They are exceptionally quite & would easily rival (if not beat) the Silkie as the perfect pet for adults & children alike.  It does not seem to matter what age your first pekin is, you will find that they respond very quickly to handling & are very content to sit in the arms of anyone who will give them some affection.


They are a genuine bantam with no large counterpart, despite some overseas countries identifying them as 'Cochin' bantams.  Originating in China,  the Pekin is covered with an abundance of feathering, including a profuse amount on their legs, feet & toes, giving them resemblance of a round ball of feathers.   They require very little in the way of fencing as they are non-flighty, suitable for even small backyards, and are very happy to just wander around their given area. 


The Pekin are reasonable layers of a tinted bantam size egg, make excellent broodies & the best of mothers.  They come in a wide range of colours, including Black, Blue, Buff, Cuckoo, Mottled, Columbian, Birchen, Black/Red, Brown/Red, Blue/Red, Splash, Partridge, Meale Grey & White. With some of these colours being very hard to find, such as the Partridge, Mottled, Meale Grey & Columbian.

 

Baby Pekin chick (White)- two weeks old

   
Birchin Hen

   
 Birchen Pekin Cockerel  -
6 mths old 
 

One of our 4mth old, Blue pekin pullets.