Understanding Buttercup Type & Common Flaws
Written by Benjamin Janicki, Illustrations by Josiah Moore, 2022
As Buttercup breeders, it is easy to focus on comb and color. However, most Buttercup flocks struggle with type, and many breeders are unaware of the terms we use to describe it.
The word “type” in poultry refers to the overall shape or conformation of the bird. Think of a silhouette, completely ignoring the color. Type is formed by a combination of bone, muscle, and feather. All must come together to form correct type. The Standard specifies that birds should be judged 60% based on type. As the old timers say, “Build the barn before you paint it.”
Type makes the breed. Each breed has a unique type all its own, and varieties within the breed are simply color options (or sometimes comb types) on the same body. The color for a white or brown leghorn may be different, but the type is the same. Hence why you can walk down champion row, see four white roosters, and instantly recognize them as different breeds.
The word “type” in poultry refers to the overall shape or conformation of the bird. Think of a silhouette, completely ignoring the color. Type is formed by a combination of bone, muscle, and feather. All must come together to form correct type. The Standard specifies that birds should be judged 60% based on type. As the old timers say, “Build the barn before you paint it.”
Type makes the breed. Each breed has a unique type all its own, and varieties within the breed are simply color options (or sometimes comb types) on the same body. The color for a white or brown leghorn may be different, but the type is the same. Hence why you can walk down champion row, see four white roosters, and instantly recognize them as different breeds.
Above: Images from the APA Standard, illustrated by A. O. Schilling.
Although the untrained eye may see the first two birds as white roosters with single combs, the Plymouth Rock has a deeper, heavier body and much smaller tail than the Leghorn. The Wyandotte takes this to the extreme. The Chantecler is more angular with shorter sickles.
One of the quickest ways to understand type is to look at the “top line” or the sweep from the head, along the back, and up the tail. The Leghorn top line forms a U-shape by sweeping up towards the tail from the middle of the back, while the Rock slopes upward at the shoulder and forms a more gradual sweep. The Wyandotte rises faster to a shorter tail, giving it a rounder shape. The Chantecler breaks and rises at the end of the back, giving it an angular top line.
Type follows function. Mediterranean breeds require a lightweight body to produce more eggs on less feed, while American breeds require more body mass for meat production.
Josiah Moore has illustrated common type defects in Buttercups, but without any color or markings. This should make the differences more obvious. First, ideal Buttercup type:
One of the quickest ways to understand type is to look at the “top line” or the sweep from the head, along the back, and up the tail. The Leghorn top line forms a U-shape by sweeping up towards the tail from the middle of the back, while the Rock slopes upward at the shoulder and forms a more gradual sweep. The Wyandotte rises faster to a shorter tail, giving it a rounder shape. The Chantecler breaks and rises at the end of the back, giving it an angular top line.
Type follows function. Mediterranean breeds require a lightweight body to produce more eggs on less feed, while American breeds require more body mass for meat production.
Josiah Moore has illustrated common type defects in Buttercups, but without any color or markings. This should make the differences more obvious. First, ideal Buttercup type:
Note how similar the top line is to the Leghorn in the image further up. There are differences, but the overall U-shape is there. This is a smooth bird of curves. And now, Buttercups with some of the common flaws:
Note the low wing carriage, shallow breast, short legs, steep back, sharp break at the base of the tail creating an overall V-shaped top line instead of a U-shape, and the high, pinched tail. This is a stunted, angular bird. Refer back to this page when selecting your breeders for type. Most buttercups today look more like the second image than the first.
Too many terms at once? We will go through them individually below.
Too many terms at once? We will go through them individually below.
The first and third images above are from the American Standard of Perfection, published by the American Poultry Association. The Standard not only includes the ideal description and illustrations for each breed, but also includes terminology and common defects. If you don’t have a copy, order one. The center image is the ideal Buttercup male from the previous page.
What do these images show? Tail angle. Tail angle is the angle at which the leading edge of the tail rises above an imaginary horizontal line drawn through the base of the tail. The first image displays a tail angle of 30°, the second shows the correct Buttercup tail angle of 45° for males (40° for females), and the third shows a squirrel tail (over 90°), which is a disqualification.
Improving tail angle is one of the fastest ways to improve the overall top line of the bird. It is easier to achieve that ideal U-shape if the tail is not too high. Most Buttercups today have tails that are much too high, and some have squirrel tails. I have also seen a few with tails that are too low. Like anything else, the tail angle doesn’t have to be perfect, but you want it in the ballpark. Below is a male with a squirrel tail, and a female with a 90° vertical tail. Tail angle will always be slightly higher on males, so remove females with vertical tails.
What do these images show? Tail angle. Tail angle is the angle at which the leading edge of the tail rises above an imaginary horizontal line drawn through the base of the tail. The first image displays a tail angle of 30°, the second shows the correct Buttercup tail angle of 45° for males (40° for females), and the third shows a squirrel tail (over 90°), which is a disqualification.
Improving tail angle is one of the fastest ways to improve the overall top line of the bird. It is easier to achieve that ideal U-shape if the tail is not too high. Most Buttercups today have tails that are much too high, and some have squirrel tails. I have also seen a few with tails that are too low. Like anything else, the tail angle doesn’t have to be perfect, but you want it in the ballpark. Below is a male with a squirrel tail, and a female with a 90° vertical tail. Tail angle will always be slightly higher on males, so remove females with vertical tails.
Stressed birds carry their tail higher than normal. If your birds have high tails in a cage, let them loose in a big pen, stand back, and see if they lower their tail closer to 45°.
Structurally, tail angle is often correlated to length of back. A skeletal flaw in most Buttercups today is a short back. This does not give them the ideal frame for egg production. Select birds with longer backs and the tail angle may begin to improve too. This works well with large fowl buttercups since they are supposed to be bigger, but with bantams it may prove tricky. Often the bantams with the best type are the bigger ones. It is a delicate balancing act.
Structurally, tail angle is often correlated to length of back. A skeletal flaw in most Buttercups today is a short back. This does not give them the ideal frame for egg production. Select birds with longer backs and the tail angle may begin to improve too. This works well with large fowl buttercups since they are supposed to be bigger, but with bantams it may prove tricky. Often the bantams with the best type are the bigger ones. It is a delicate balancing act.
The tail angles above are slightly high, but within the ballpark. The flaw is pinched tails. Ideally, the feathers of the tail should spread like an open fan. In a pinched tail, the tail looks like a closed fan. These birds also have a sharp break at the base of the tail instead of a smooth transition. Additionally, the male has fluff protruding from beneath his saddle feathers at the base of the tail. This is a very common defect, and detracts from the smooth U-shaped top line.
The birds below have better tails, but their wings are carried too low. Ideally, the wings should be held horizontally, folded closely to the body, with the tips pointing toward the vent.
The birds below have better tails, but their wings are carried too low. Ideally, the wings should be held horizontally, folded closely to the body, with the tips pointing toward the vent.
Low wings can appear in any bird, but they are very common among bantams. This is partly because bantams typically have much bigger wings relative to their body size than large fowl birds do, and this makes it more natural for them to carry their larger wings lower and not fold them properly in the correct position.
The male above has a tail that is too low, and a comb that is split at the rear instead of closed. The female has an excessively pinched tail.
The birds below have weak, shallow breasts and backs that are too steep. They also have backs that rise too late, giving them an angular look.
While Buttercups are not a meat bird, a shallow breast usually indicates a shrunken overall frame that does not have sufficient internal capacity for efficient digestion and egg production. Compare the distance between the top line and breast in the images above and below. Can you see how the birds below have weak and shallow bodies? When you handle the birds you can feel the difference if you place one hand on the back and the other on the keel.
The birds below have weak, shallow breasts and backs that are too steep. They also have backs that rise too late, giving them an angular look.
While Buttercups are not a meat bird, a shallow breast usually indicates a shrunken overall frame that does not have sufficient internal capacity for efficient digestion and egg production. Compare the distance between the top line and breast in the images above and below. Can you see how the birds below have weak and shallow bodies? When you handle the birds you can feel the difference if you place one hand on the back and the other on the keel.
Buttercups are fine-boned, but should be well-muscled and feel solid in the hand. Solid muscled birds are more vigorous, produce better, and have better immunity to disease.
Steep backs are a common defect and and make it more difficult to achieve the U-shaped top line. They also detract from the balance of the bird. See the image below for an explanation of balance.
Picture an imaginary vertical line drawn through the middle of the back dividing the bird in half. Does the bird appear to be balanced about this line, with just as much silhouette on either side? This is what most breeders are referring to when they speak about balance or symmetry.
Steep backs are a common defect and and make it more difficult to achieve the U-shaped top line. They also detract from the balance of the bird. See the image below for an explanation of balance.
Picture an imaginary vertical line drawn through the middle of the back dividing the bird in half. Does the bird appear to be balanced about this line, with just as much silhouette on either side? This is what most breeders are referring to when they speak about balance or symmetry.
Ideally, the bird should appear properly balanced on the legs. If the bird stands too upright or doesn’t have enough breast, then it appears too rear-heavy. Conversely, if the tail is too short or too high, or the bird lacks body past the hips, it makes the bird appear front-heavy.
Compare the roosters above and the hens below. In both cases, the first bird is front-heavy, the second bird is ideally balanced, and the third bird is rear-heavy.
Compare the roosters above and the hens below. In both cases, the first bird is front-heavy, the second bird is ideally balanced, and the third bird is rear-heavy.
When handling your birds, also check for width of body. Put one hand on either side of the bird and evaluate them from above. It is common for birds to have a front-heavy body that is wide at the shoulders and narrows as it approaches the hips.
Ideally, Buttercups should carry the same width of body from the shoulders, through the hips, and back to the tail. This will ensure more internal capacity for egg production. There are excellent diagrams on depth and width in the first few pages of the Standard of Perfection.
Ideally, Buttercups should carry the same width of body from the shoulders, through the hips, and back to the tail. This will ensure more internal capacity for egg production. There are excellent diagrams on depth and width in the first few pages of the Standard of Perfection.
The birds above have legs that are too short. This is usually due to short thighs. Note how the shanks in the birds above and below are similar, but the thighs and hocks are not visible above. This makes the birds look squat and dumpy. Buttercups are not chunky meat birds like Dorkings or Favorolles. They are a graceful egg production breed, and good length of leg is an important breed characteristic. It also contributes to their ability to range.
Large fowl buttercups in particular need longer legs, since it is one of the fastest ways to improve the overall size and stature of the birds. Both sizes of Buttercups need work on size: the bantams need to be smaller and the large fowl need to be much bigger.
The birds below have correct leg length, but their tails are too short. Compare with the birds above. Short tails are a common defect in both sizes of buttercups.
Large fowl buttercups in particular need longer legs, since it is one of the fastest ways to improve the overall size and stature of the birds. Both sizes of Buttercups need work on size: the bantams need to be smaller and the large fowl need to be much bigger.
The birds below have correct leg length, but their tails are too short. Compare with the birds above. Short tails are a common defect in both sizes of buttercups.
This male also has a flyaway comb, where the back of the comb rises much higher than the front. Ideally, the comb should be level. This is a common but minor flaw. It is much more important to have good type and a closed comb with no center spikes than it is to have a level comb.
The birds above have good overall tail length but the male has sickles that are much too short. This gives his tail an angular appearance. The corresponding female has tail coverts that are too short. These are the smaller feathers that lay over the long main tail feathers. A correct female tail has been drawn above, where the coverts are long enough to cover most of the main tail feathers. Such a hen would throw sons with longer sickles that curve around as desired.
Below are two bantam hens. Both have good overall type, but the hen in the foreground has short coverts like the hen pictured above. Her cushion (lower back) is also weak, with a bit of fluff showing. Meanwhile, the hen in the background has longer coverts and a smooth cushion with plenty of volume, but her main tail feathers are too short.
Below are two bantam hens. Both have good overall type, but the hen in the foreground has short coverts like the hen pictured above. Her cushion (lower back) is also weak, with a bit of fluff showing. Meanwhile, the hen in the background has longer coverts and a smooth cushion with plenty of volume, but her main tail feathers are too short.
The large fowl birds above have good tail length, but an angular, V-shaped top line and short legs. The tail angle on the cock is good, but too high on the hen. The large fowl pair below have great U-shaped top lines, good tail spread, and nice depth of body, but also have short legs.
The large fowl below have better leg length and decent top lines. You can actually see the thighs and hocks below. It is hard to tell from photos, but they are also much bigger than the birds above. Note how in all three cases the hens hold their wings better than the males.
The bantams above all have angular, V-shaped top lines. The first cock has a short tail and the second cock has white fluff protruding from the base of the tail. Both cocks hold their wings too low and both hens have pinched tails. The first three birds all have short legs.
The bantams below have a nice U-shaped top line, decent wing carriage, and better tails. The cock has great leg length. All photos in this article were taken by the author.
I hope this article helps Buttercup breeders to better select their birds for type. Refer back to the illustrations above to familiarize yourself with the ideal type and common flaws. Do not be discouraged if your birds have faults - just pick the best ones, hatch a lot, and repeat each year.
It is critical to select females with a lot of feather volume in the cushion (the lower back) in order to get males with the correct top line. Few males have a good U-shaped top line, but many females do. Therefore, it makes little sense to tolerate a poor top line from females.
Buttercups are great layers, so you don’t need many hens to hatch a lot of chicks. Most breeders spend hours picking the best male, and then keep all their females. The breed will improve much faster if breeders are as selective of their females as they are of their males. Remember, your females contribute 50% of the genetics to the bloodline. Don’t overlook them.
The bantams below have a nice U-shaped top line, decent wing carriage, and better tails. The cock has great leg length. All photos in this article were taken by the author.
I hope this article helps Buttercup breeders to better select their birds for type. Refer back to the illustrations above to familiarize yourself with the ideal type and common flaws. Do not be discouraged if your birds have faults - just pick the best ones, hatch a lot, and repeat each year.
It is critical to select females with a lot of feather volume in the cushion (the lower back) in order to get males with the correct top line. Few males have a good U-shaped top line, but many females do. Therefore, it makes little sense to tolerate a poor top line from females.
Buttercups are great layers, so you don’t need many hens to hatch a lot of chicks. Most breeders spend hours picking the best male, and then keep all their females. The breed will improve much faster if breeders are as selective of their females as they are of their males. Remember, your females contribute 50% of the genetics to the bloodline. Don’t overlook them.
About the Authors
Benjamin Janicki has bred bantam buttercups since 2006 and large fowl buttercups since 2016. He was the American Buttercup Club Secretary from 2016-2020 and President from 2020-2025. He is from Northwest Washington State.
Josiah Moore grew up in NW Missouri and obtained his degree in Biochemistry from Missouri Western State University. He is the current vice president and coeditor of the Society for the Preservation of Poultry Antiquities (SPPA). He has a strong interest in old and rare breeds of domestic poultry and currently raises seven breeds of large fowl and one duck breed. He enjoys art, being largely self-taught, and in his spare time draws various poultry and farm scenes.
Josiah Moore grew up in NW Missouri and obtained his degree in Biochemistry from Missouri Western State University. He is the current vice president and coeditor of the Society for the Preservation of Poultry Antiquities (SPPA). He has a strong interest in old and rare breeds of domestic poultry and currently raises seven breeds of large fowl and one duck breed. He enjoys art, being largely self-taught, and in his spare time draws various poultry and farm scenes.
Reference Material
The American Standard of Perfection, published by the American Poultry Association, is a great resource for learning about ideal type and various defects. It is referenced in nearly every article about the breed, directly or indirectly. Every breeder should own a copy. It is available on the APA website at: https://amerpoultryassn.com/store/
The book “An Introduction to Form and Feathering of the Domestic Fowl” by Brian Reeder is a great resource for understanding the genetics of how to influence type in your birds. It is available on Amazon.
The book “An Introduction to Form and Feathering of the Domestic Fowl” by Brian Reeder is a great resource for understanding the genetics of how to influence type in your birds. It is available on Amazon.
PDF Format
If you would like to view or download this article as a pdf instead of as a webpage, here it is below.
You should be able to download it by hovering your cursor over the lower section of the pdf preview, and clicking on the downward pointing arrow that appears.
This pdf is the format it was originally published under in 2022 when it was included as a new article in one of our club newsletters.
You should be able to download it by hovering your cursor over the lower section of the pdf preview, and clicking on the downward pointing arrow that appears.
This pdf is the format it was originally published under in 2022 when it was included as a new article in one of our club newsletters.
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