Malaysia 2001 Ayam Katik (Malaysian Bantams)

Malaysian bantams are highly valued for their beauty and basically there are two locally bred varieties are the most popular which are Serama Batam and Kapan Bantam. Furthermore, the roosters have very high-pitched and shrill crows which are generally pleasing to the ear.

The left 30sen and the right RM1 stamps both are Serama Bantam. This bantam is the latest craze to local bantam enthusiasts; its popularity is due to its uplifted and over-sized breast, short legs and long tail, which is often held upright and it comes in variety of colors. 

The middle 50sen stamp is Kapan Bantam. It looks similar to the Serama Bantam, but is generally more robust, bigger and heavier built. It has large breast, generally held high. The legs are also short and it swaggers while walking with the wings usually drooped. It also comes in many variety of colors.

The above miniature sheet is an imperf-orate sheet, the beautiful rooster is Red Junglefowl. It is not a bantam but it is ancestor of all domestic breeds of poultry. It inhabits the forest edge, plantation, scrub and open grassland throughout Peninsular Malaysia. It has a long, slender body with bright orange-yellow hackles on the neck. The tail is long and black glossed green with a white patch at the base of tail.