The Sebright – a cross between a common bantam and a polish fowl – is named after Sir John Sebright, an English politician and agricultural innovator, who worked for more than 30 years to produce bantam males and females have exactly the same feathering. In almost every other breed of chicken, the flamboyant feathering of males is easy to distinguish from the females. Sebright was elected MP for Hertfordshire on 11 May 1807, and continued to represent the county till the end of the first reformed parliament. He was appointed High Sheriff of Hertfordshire for 1797–98. There are two recognised varieties, Golden and Silver, which is actually white. The Sebright is famous for the quality of the lacing in its feathers. Each feather is edged with black, making the ground colour appear brighter and more striking.
