Scots Dumpy
Gallus gallus domesticus
✨ Fun Fact
Mary Queen of Scots is said to have kept Scots Dumpies at Holyrood Palace in the 16th century. The breed's short-leg gene (creeper gene) is the same mutation found in Dachshunds — a dominant gene that reduces leg bone length in heterozygous birds while being lethal in double dose.
A unique and ancient Scottish breed characterised by very short legs — the shortest of any standard chicken breed — giving it a waddling gait and extremely low profile. The name 'Dumpy' refers to their squat stature, and they were also known as 'Bakies', 'Creepies', and 'Crawlers' in different Scottish regions. Despite their unusual proportions, Scots Dumpies are hardy, good foragers, and lay a steady supply of tinted eggs. Now a rare conservation breed, DNA studies confirm their genetic distinctiveness.
🏷️ Breed
Scots Dumpy
💭 Temperament
Calm, docile, friendly, hardy, good with children
📏 Size
Medium (2.7-3.2 kg)
⏳ Lifespan
5-8 years
🎨 Colors
Cuckoo, black, white, blue, silver-grey
🌍 Origin
Scotland; ancient Highland breed, documented from 1400s
🏠 Habitat
Free-range or enclosed run; low legs make them suitable for dense vegetation
🍽️ Diet
Layer pellets; good forager despite short-legged gait
🎯 Purpose
Dual Purpose
🥚 Egg Colour
Tinted
👑 Comb Type
Single
🏅 EE Class
Large Fowl