Bassette Liégeoise
Gallus gallus domesticus
✨ Wissenswertes
The Bassette Liégeoise's short-legged dwarfism is caused by a dominant lethal gene — the same mutation used in the Belgian Blue cattle bred just kilometres away. Walloon animal breeders have independently exploited this gene in two completely different species: cattle and chickens. No other region in the world has done this twice.
A rare Belgian true bantam from the Liège region of Wallonia, the Bassette Liégeoise is a unique true bantam with a dwarf-like build — very short legs, a broad, low-slung body, and a single comb. It is one of the stockiest, most compact Belgian bantam breeds, and its appearance is dramatically different from the lighter, taller Belgian breeds like the d'Anvers. The Bassette was developed by Walloon poultry fanciers in the early 20th century, likely drawing on the same creeper gene that produces short-legged breeds like the Krüper and Scots Dumpy. The breed is kept purely as an ornamental and exhibition bird, valued for its unusual proportions and rare status. Like all Belgian true bantams, the Bassette Liégeoise is small in numbers but deeply cherished by its keepers. Recognised by the EE Europastandard as a distinct Belgian true bantam breed.
🏷️ Rasse
Bassette Liégeoise
💭 Temperament
Calm, quiet, very manageable, good in small spaces, gentle
📏 Größe
Small (0.7-0.9 kg)
⏳ Lebenserwartung
5-8 years
🎨 Farben
Cuckoo, black, white, blue — several colour varieties
🌍 Herkunft
Belgium — Liège region, Wallonia; developed early 20th century
🏠 Lebensraum
Small garden or run; ground-level housing recommended due to short legs
🍽️ Ernährung
Small amounts of standard poultry feed; minimal forager due to short-stance
🎯 Zweck
Ornamental
🥚 Eifarbe
Cream
👑 Kammtyp
Single
🏅 EE-Klasse
True Bantam