SUMATRA
Sumatra Page One / Breeding Sumatras and Selection of Breeding Stock
I had taken the Sumatra off my long tailed-fowl lists because even though their inclusion in this group had been accept for many years, I could not find one example of a European Sumatra that had a tail longer than any Leghorn.
With the creation of this website and it's international scope, I have been made aware of different strains and lines of Sumatra which are, indeed, long tailed. I am very grateful to Willem Van Ballekom (NL), and Richard Schock and Rusty Bishop (USA) for their contributions to these pages, among which are superb example of true long-tailed Sumatra.
The German type is strong, gamefowl-like, longer-legged and shorter tailed than the American type. It is in America that I find a few strains of true long-tailed Sumatra and can image that this is what many of the original birds here in Europe looked like.
The colours known are black and blue. In Germany there have been also "Red Blacks" (European expression for Brown Reds - ref. Brian Reeder), which is basically s+ coming through the Extended Black. I do not know if the "Brown Reds" are shown in America. They are rare in central European shows.
I have seen a website for white Sumatras but I forgot to note the url address. They had been bred over many generations from a white Leghorn cross and were (when I saw them) rather true in breed characteristics with dark faces, multiple spurs and feathering. If you are the breeder of these and would like to show some of you birds on these pages, please contact me.
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Above, Longtailed "cull" from the breeding programme of Richard Schock of America. This bird, even though not selected for a "full curtain", has exceptionally full coverts, good saddles as well as main sickles! My compliments, Mr Schock! |
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I was sent these rather poor-quality images of an incredibly beautiful LONGTAILED!!!! Sumatra in Holland out of East German stock. Now THIS is a longtail!! (see image on left and directly below)
On left and above right, Two shots of East German Stock, showing that the Sumatra was /is a Longtail Fowl! Modern standard penalises Sumatra in Germany which have a tail that drags the ground. |
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The Sumatra is known for its incredible beetle-green sheen in jet-black plumage. The black pigmentation is so rich that the hens appear to have completely black heads. The males are usually a shade lighter (the same characteristics of the Tomaru' and the Kurogashiwa). When allowed to roam in sunny fields, the heads can turn a slight mulberry-black colour.
Another important aspect of true Sumatra is the multiple spurs on the cocks (see Rusty Bishop's image below!). There are many lines of Sumatra that have only multiple "buttons" where the spurs should extend from the shank, but Rusty's below are indeed proof that the multiple spurs where indeed SPURS. Wow!
Above, A shot of excellent multiple-spur development of blue Sumatra from Mr. Rusty Bishop of America.
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Above left, Another superb example that the Sumatra was /is a Longtail Fowl!
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This gallery below is exclusively of birds by Richard Schock.
Click on the smaller photos below to see them enlarged.
American Sumatra Association
Julia Keeling, Secretary - Asian Hardfeather Club. |
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Sumatra Page One / Breeding Sumatras and Selection of Breeding Stock
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