HELLO
FRIENDS!
The Spanish as it is known in the UK, or White-faced Black Spanish, as it is known in other parts the world; Cara Blanca or Española Cara Blanca in Spain, is a breed of domestic chicken which originated in Spain, but was largely bred to its present type in Great Britain in the eighteenth century.
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A mature White Faced Black Spanish has a completely white face, and large white earlobes that hang very low. This “painted face” look earned them the nicknames “Clown Faced Chicken,” or “Clown Chicken” for short.
HISTORY
Of the Spanish
LEG RINGING SCHEME
Many Poultry Club Of Great Britain members have appreciated the benefits to be gained by joining the Ringing Scheme.
You can find out more details of their scheme by following this link.
Origin: Spain
There are records of Spanish fowl in the UK as far back as 1572 and over the centuries there were further imports from both Holland and Spain. During the 19th century Bristol became a centre for the breed and enthusiasts focused on developing and enlarging the white face that the breed is known for. Indeed the breed is also known as the White faced Black Spanish. The breed was very popular during the 1840’s and 1850’ and large numbers were seen at poultry exhibitions throughout the UK. It is thought that a Spanish Club was founded in the latter half of the 19th century but the actual date is unknown. By the beginning of the 20th century the breed’s popularity had slumped and the breed remains very rare.
The Spanish is a large Mediterranean breed, a slender laying breed with glossy black plumage. The breed’s distinctive feature is the large white face which is particularly impressive on the cocks.
The standard gives half of the judging points for the head-thirty-five points out of one hundred for the face and fifteen points for the comb and wattles. All of the facial skin should be pure white without red patches, brownish scabs or other blemishes. This is a breed for the specialist that is those with only a very small number of breeds. In order to maintain a prize -winning flock , a considerable number should be kept. The males are susceptible to extreme cold .Outside runs should be protected from wind, rain and extreme sunlight.
As with the other Mediterranean breeds the Spanish is an active, flighty breed and a non-sitter. The breed is a reasonable layer but is not as hardy as other Mediterranean breeds. There are no more than 10 serious breeder/exhibitors.
The bantams are extremely rare.
UK BREED STANDARD
General characteristics: male
Carriage: Upright, with proud action.
Head: Skull long, broad and deep. Beak long and stout. Eyes full and wide open. Comb single, somewhat small, erect and straight, firm at the base, rather thin at the edge, fitting closely on the neck at the back, of very smooth texture, and free from wrinkles, rising well over the eyes but not so as to interfere with the sight, and joining the ear-lobes and wattles. Ear-lobes deep and broad, well rounded at the bottom, extending well below the wattles, meeting in front and going well back on each side of the neck, of fine texture and free from folds or creases. Wattles very long, thin and pendulous.
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Neck: Long and fine, with abundant hackle flowing well over the shoulders. Body: Rather long, fairly broad in front, and tapering to the rear. Breast full at the neck and gradually decreasing towards the thighs. Back slanting downwards to the tail, short wings carried closely. Full tail, not carried too high, and with the sickles large and well curved.
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Legs and feet: Rather long and slim. Shanks free of feathers. Toes, four, slender and straight.
Plumage: Short and close.
Female
With the exception of the comb (which falls gracefully over either side of the face) the general characteristics are similar to those of the male, allowing for the natural sexual differences.
Colour
Male and female plumage: Black with a beetle-green sheen, and free of purple bars. In both sexes: Beak dark horn. Eyes black. Comb and wattles bright red. Face and ear-lobes white. Legs and feet pale slate.
Weights
Male 3.20 kg (7lb) Female 2.70 kg (6lb)
Scale of points
-
Face and lobes 35
-
Comb and wattles 15
-
Type 15
-
Size 15
-
Colour 10
-
Condition 10
100
Serious defects
Blue, pink or red in face or lobes. Coarse ‘cauliflower’ face or lobes. Male’s comb not erect, side sprigs on comb. Lobes pointed at the bottom. Black or dark legs or feet. Any deformity.
BANTAM
Bantam white-faced Spanish should follow exactly the large fowl standard.
Weights
Male 1075g (38oz)
Female 910g (32oz)
UK BREED STANDARD
Courtesy of the Poultry Club of Great Britain
General characteristics: male
Carriage: Upright, with proud action.
Head: Skull long, broad and deep. Beak long and stout. Eyes full and wide open. Comb single, somewhat small, erect and straight, firm at the base, rather thin at the edge, fitting closely on the neck at the back, of very smooth texture, and free from wrinkles, rising well over the eyes but not so as to interfere with the sight, and joining the ear-lobes and wattles. Ear-lobes deep and broad, well rounded at the bottom, extending well below the wattles, meeting in front and going well back on each side of the neck, of fine texture and free from folds or creases. Wattles very long, thin and pendulous.
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Neck: Long and fine, with abundant hackle flowing well over the shoulders. Body: Rather long, fairly broad in front, and tapering to the rear. Breast full at the neck and gradually decreasing towards the thighs. Back slanting downwards to the tail, short wings carried closely. Full tail, not carried too high, and with the sickles large and well curved.
​
Legs and feet: Rather long and slim. Shanks free of feathers. Toes, four, slender and straight.
Plumage: Short and close.
Female
With the exception of the comb (which falls gracefully over either side of the face) the general characteristics are similar to those of the male, allowing for the natural sexual differences.
Colour
Male and female plumage: Black with a beetle-green sheen, and free of purple bars. In both sexes: Beak dark horn. Eyes black. Comb and wattles bright red. Face and ear-lobes white. Legs and feet pale slate.
Weights
Male 3.20 kg (7lb) Female 2.70 kg (6lb)
Scale of points
-
Face and lobes 35
-
Comb and wattles 15
-
Type 15
-
Size 15
-
Colour 10
-
Condition 10
100
Serious defects
Blue, pink or red in face or lobes. Coarse ‘cauliflower’ face or lobes. Male’s comb not erect, side sprigs on comb. Lobes pointed at the bottom. Black or dark legs or feet. Any deformity.
BANTAM
Bantam white-faced Spanish should follow exactly the large fowl standard.
Weights
Male 1075g (38oz)
Female 910g (32oz)
