Quamby

Origin:  Australia (Tasmania)

Category:  Softfeather Heavy 

Egg Colour:  Tinted or Off-White

Sitter:  Rarely

Note: The Quamby is not currently included in the official Australian Poultry Standards as at 2026 to our knowledge. It is included in Open Poultry Standards as a reference for backyard breeders or those seeking information. The information is subject to change in the future. To provide feedback, suggestions, or credit requests, email openpoultrystandards@gmail.com.

Dr Gil Stokes of Tasmania, Australia developed the Quamby as a dual-purpose backyard chicken breed from the Sussex and New Hampshire. Using trapnesting he increased the egg production of the females to around 300 eggs a year in ideal conditions. He named the breed for Quamby Bluff, a rocky outcrop near his farm in Tasmania. See ABC article published in 2016. 

SHAPE OF MALE

Carriage: - Active, well balanced, alert and curious

Type: Body blocky, broad, deep and well rounded, the whole body being well-balanced. Frame deep through to the thigh region. Breast deep, full and broad, well rounded, keel long and extending wel to the front of the breast. 

Wings: medium length, held close to the body.

Tail: medium length, carried at 55 degrees to the back and reaching to level with the head.

Neck: gracefuly curved, full hackle

Back: broad its entire length, a low rise to the tail.

Head: medium size, clean and strong, of rugged character but not coarse, carried erect. Eyes full, bright and alert. Beak short, strong and well curved. Comb single, of medium size, set firmly on the head, perfectly uprgiht, evenly cut with five well defined points, middle point longest, blade smooth and waxy. Wattles large and pendulous. 

Ear lobes: prominent.

Plumage: broad feathers, firm and fitting tightly to the body with moderately full fluff. 

Legs and Feet: Well apart, free from feathering, straight when viewed from the front, lower thighs thick, muscular and of medium length. Four toes, medium length, straight and well spaced.

FEMALE CHARACTERISTICS

The general characteristics of the female are similar to those of the male, allowing for the usual sexual differences. 

Comb: the comb has an inclination to lay, may flop over along its length. 

Tail: held at 30 degrees to the back. 

Keel: may angle down, but not to suggest weakness. Handles like a fit, keen and active layer.  Wattles are considerably smaller than those of the male. Cloaca is oval and moist in layer.

Handling: the pelvic bones are fine and pliable and measure three fingers apart. The abdomen is pliable, the flesh and skin is of a fine texture and the depth from pin bones to keel at least four fingers deep, leading to depth at the rear. 

Skin Colour: Yellow skin fading in females sequentially from cloaca, eye ring, beak then shanks as egg laying proceeds.

COLOUR OF MALE PLUMAGE

Head: light chestnut

Beak: yellow or horn 

Neck: golden orange tapering to light chestnut with black columbian striping in the lower hackle

Breast: buff chestnut 

Back: chestnut 

Saddle: chestnut red tapering to golden orange 

Wings: wingbar chestnut. Primaries: chestnut with black permitted, as long as not visible in folded wing. Secondaries: dark chestnut.

Cape and Shoulder: chestnut 

Tail: main tail black feathers with beetle green sheen, Sickles: black feathers with beetle green sheen. Coverts, rich dark chestnut.

Undercolour: buff

COLOUR OF FEMALE PLUMAGE

Head: buff

Neck: light chestnut tapering to black columbian striping in the lower hackle 

Wings: Primaries: buff with black permitted, as long as it is not visible in the folded wing. Secondaries: buff 

Tail: black, buff tips permitted 

All other sections of the body: light chestnut to buff

BOTH SEXES 

Beak: horn, some bay permitted, bleaching from head to tip when in lay

Eyes: reddish brown 

Comb, face, wattles and earlobes: bright red 

Legs and Toes: yellow skin, bleaching when in lay. Red stripe on outside of male leg shank. 

WEIGHTS

STANDARD WEIGHTS

Cock: 4.0kg (9lb)

Hen: 3.0kg (6.5lb)

Cockerel: 3-3.5kg (7lb) 

Pullet: 2-2.5kg (5lb)

SCALE OF POINTS

Type and carriage: 20

Dual-purpose qualities: 20

Vitality and handling: 25

Size and condition: 15

Head: 10

Colour: 5

Legs nd feet: 5

Total: 100

SERIOUS DEFECTS

One or more entirely white feathers showing in the outer plumage.

Fluff or feathers on shanks or toes.

See also general disqualifications and Serious Defects.

SOURCES

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-11-19/one-mans-mission-to-bring-back-the-backyard-chook-breed/11713888

Draft Quamby, Buff Standard and breed description (unknown author)