Bassettes

A Silver Quail Bassette hen
Photo courtesy of the Association for the Promotion of Belgian Poultry Breeds

This breed was developd in 1917 in Belgium. It is a small fowl which lays an egg that is very large for the size of the bird. The breed almost disappeared after WWII, but a Professor Willems found some and saved the breed.

The cocks weigh about 1 kg and the hens 800-900 gms. Quail and Silver Quail are the most common varieties, but Black, White, Buff Columbian and Blue Quail also exist.

This is a fast-growing breed and very lively. They require large runs or free range.