View source for Rosecomb

{{Short description|Breed of chicken}}
{{use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2014}}
{{infobox poultry breed
| name          = Rosecomb
| image         = Rosecomb male 1905.png
| image_size    =
| alt           = engraving of a Rosecomb cock
| image_caption =Illustration of the ideal Black Rosecomb male in the [[American Standard of Perfection]], 1905
| status        = at risk
| altname       =
| country       = United Kingdom
| distribution  =
| standard      = [http://www.rosecombs.com/standard.html Rosecomb Bantam Federation] (USA)
| use           =
| nickname      =
| apa           = Rose comb clean legged{{r|apa}}
| aba           =
| ee            =
| pcgb          = True bantam{{r|pcgb}}
| maleweight    = 620 grams
| femaleweight  = 510 grams
| skincolor     =
| eggcolor      =
| comb          =Rose
| note          =
| type          = [[Chicken]]
| latin         = Gallus gallus domesticus
}}
The '''Rosecomb''' is a breed of [[chicken]] named for its distinctive [[comb (anatomy)|comb]]. Rosecombs are [[Bantam (chicken)|bantam chickens]], and are among those known as true bantams, meaning they are not a miniaturised version of a large fowl. Rosecombs are one of the oldest and most popular bantam breeds in [[Livestock show|showing]], and thus have numerous variations within the breed. An ornamental chicken, they are poor egg layers and not suited for meat production.
==History==
The Rosecomb is one of the oldest bantam breeds of chicken. The earliest surviving records of the breed are from the 14th century in [[Great Britain|Britain]], though it may have another point of origin.{{r|chris|page=142}} Their popularity as an ornamental breed first took flight after [[King Richard III]] began to raise them.{{r|carol|page=149}} Their popularity among poultry enthusiasts continued in to the 19th century, and Rosecombs were shown at the first North American poultry exhibition in 1849, as well as being admitted in to the first edition of ''[[American Standard of Perfection]]'' in 1874. Today their widespread keeping by breeders persists.{{r|carol|page=149}}
==Characteristics==
Rosecombs are almost exclusively kept for competitive poultry showing, and their characteristics reflect this. Males generally weigh {{convert|570|–|620|g|oz|abbr=on}} and females {{convert|450|–|510|g|oz|abbr=on}}.{{r|chris|page=142}} The breed's eponymous trait is its rose comb, which is large compared to its overall body size. They also sport relatively substantial white earlobes, prodigious tails, and a compact body shape. In addition to these general characteristics, Rosecombs appear in 25 different colour variations,{{r|carol|page=150-151}} though black, blue, and white are the most common.{{r|chris|page=142}}
[[Selective breeding]] solely for appearance has produced birds with striking appearances, but poor egg laying ability, carcasses unsuitable for eating, and some reproductive problems. Due to a genetic trait tied to rose combed chickens, roosters may have low fertility. Hens rarely are inclined to brood their own clutches, and chicks have high mortality rates. However, adult birds are generally hardy and active. Unlike the majority of chickens, Rosecombs are good fliers. They are also usually friendly birds, but cocks may be aggressive.{{r|carol|page=150}}
== References ==
{{commonscat}}
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name=apa>[https://web.archive.org/web/20171104135004/http://www.amerpoultryassn.com/PDF%20Forms/APA%20Recognized%20Breeds%20and%20Varieties%20Sept2012.pdf APA Recognized Breeds and Varieties: As of January 1, 2012]. American Poultry Association. Archived 4 November 2017.</ref>
<ref name=carol>Carol Ekarius (2007). [https://archive.org/details/Storeys_Illustrated_Guide_to_Poultry_Breeds_Complete/mode/1up ''Storey's Illustrated Guide to Poultry Breeds'']. North Adams, Massachusetts: Storey Publishing. {{isbn|9781580176675}}.</ref>
<ref name=chris>{{cite book |title=Choosing and Keeping Chickens |last=Graham |first=Chris |year=2006 |publisher=Octopus Publishing |location= London |isbn=9780793806010}}</ref>
<ref name=pcgb>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143235/http://www.poultryclub.org/img/Breed%20Classification.pdf Breed Classification]. Poultry Club of Great Britain. Archived 12 June 2018.</ref>
}}
{{British livestock|R.4}}
{{True bantams|state=collapsed}}
[[Category:Bantam chicken breeds]]
[[Category:Chicken breeds]]
[[Category:Chicken breeds originating in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Animal breeds on the RBST Watchlist]]