Sumatra
Animal identity
One living story. Knowledge kept together.
Sumatra — identified breed photograph. · Poultrygirl · CC BY-SA 3.0 · License terms
Recognize what makes this population itself.
Flowing tails, curved outlines and a strong green sheen on black feathers distinguish Sumatras. Their behavior includes exploring bushes and sheltered areas. Their small eggs and ornamental reputation mean they are not simply substitutes for high-output laying strains.
The Conservancy's reference profile describes tiny eggs with white to tinted shells. These descriptions help compare the population's traditional farm role; actual performance also depends on age, breeding line and management.
Appearance introduces the animal; a registry standard explains a documented breeding population. A photograph, color or familiar informal name alone cannot establish every individual’s membership.
- Recorded roles
- Ornamental
- Egg Color
- White to Tinted
- Egg Size
- Small
- Temperament
- Flighty and jumpy
- Breed Weight
- Male 5 lbs. / Female 4 lbs.
Reference values from the breed’s conservation profile. Weight describes a reference animal, not a universal feeding or fitness target. Temperament varies with breeding, individual experience and handling.
A flowing tail on a firm, muscular bird
The British Sumatra standard described by the Rare Poultry Society pairs a long flowing tail with a firm muscular body, strong wings and an upright front. The male's tail rises slightly from the body before streaming behind; the female's broad main tail feathers are carried nearly horizontally. These are more precise features than simply calling any long-tailed dark chicken a Sumatra.
Interpreting this population in practice
How its documented identity shapes learning and conservation.
Sumatra teaching can connect Indonesian association, nineteenth-century imports and the later work of Nelson A. Wood. Flowing feathering and green sheen are only part of that story. Explain the difference between preserving a recognizable breed and using it merely as an ingredient in crosses. Its ornamental role does not justify importing production expectations from a specialist laying flock.
Sources for general species learning
Sources behind the breed’s story.
The original history, identity and conservation teaching above draws on these cited accounts. Official links open the full material for further study.
Keep learning from official information.
These research portals help locate further material. A search link is a route for exploration; it is separate from the sources used for the article above. Domestic breed information, wild-species assessment, historical books and new research need their own context.
- FAO DAD-IS · Domestic breed information
- IUCN Red List · Species assessments
- Biodiversity Heritage Library · Historical literature search
- USDA National Agricultural Library · Research search
- Google Scholar · Scholarly literature search
- Open Library · Book catalogue search
- HathiTrust · Digitized catalogue search