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Exotic poultry breeds steal limelight in Jakarta flora and fauna expo
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Visitors observe a Polish chicken in the annual flora and fauna expo in Banteng Square in Central Jakarta on Sept. 10. (JP/Nina Loasana)
D
ozens of rare breeds of poultry of various sizes and looks are the major attraction at the annual flora and fauna expo at Banteng Square in Central Jakarta where they spark the curiosity of visitors.
In the exhibition that opened last Friday and is to last until Oct. 6, visitors cannot see regular poultry such as those found in mass breeding farms or poultry markets in various parts of the capital city.
However, there are three booths exhibiting and selling rare poultry breeds. One of them belongs to Erik Nugroho. Apart from the exotic poultry, Erik’s booth also exhibits iguanas, turtles, boa snakes, sugar gliders, love birds, hedgehogs, cats and rabbits.
Of all those exotic animals on display, the show stealer in his booth is a flock of chickens of a breed from Poland, fittingly called Polish chickens. The chickens are known for their remarkable helmet-like crest that nearly covers the entirety of their heads.
“The Polish chicken is the most popular chicken breed in my shop. People think they’re cute as they look like they’re wearing helmets,” Erik told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.
Besides the Polish breeds, other stars in Erik’s booth are a number of small-legged chickens known as ayam kate (bantam chickens). They are considerably the smallest breed in the chicken family, about one-fifth or one-quarter the size of standard chickens.
“The bantam is popular among Indonesians because there are a lot of contests held for this specific chicken breed. Another popular chicken breed for contests is the serama chicken from Malaysia which is often dubbed as “the proud chicken” because the breed has a very puffed chest,” he explained.
