This breed of pigeons is called the Banat Chicken Pigeon as the shape and size of these pigeons is similar to older chickens.
It has some resemblance to the Hungarian pigeon regarding its unusual shape and tail that is carried at an elevation of 45 degrees, but is lower than the Hungarian pigeon and has a more refined appearance. Looking at this breed for the first time, most fanciers will admit that it reminds them of the old style Maltese pigeons.
Today very little is actually known about the origin of this breed and it is now impossible to definitely state how and when this beautiful pigeon was created. Generally, it is believed it happened in the late nineteenth century through crosses of Maltese pigeons of that time and some other Hen pigeons in the region of the Banat plain. What varieties of Hen pigeons were crossed to produce this pigeon is also disputed.
As the name itself implies, the Banat Chicken Pigeon comes from the area of the Banat plain. Located in south-east Europe, the Banat plain extends across west Romania, north-east Serbia, and south-east Hungary. It is bordered in the east by Transylvania and Walachia, in the west by the Tisza River, in the north by the Muresul River, and in the south by the Danube
Except for some eastern mountains, it is primarily an agricultural area of fertile, rolling plains. In Serbia, the Banat (Western Banat) is mostly covered in plains. In former times, the most important feature of these rich plains were country farms known as 'alashes'. The 'salash' (farm) is property outside the village with building for living and with accessory buildings, stables, barns, sheds etc.
There, people bred their livestock. Those 'salashes' would be inconceivable without pigeons because pigeons have been a part of the life of many of these people for generations. In former times, the Banat Chicken pigeons were very common on these farms and at one point in the time they even became the symbol of these farms and farmsteads.
