Naine du Tournaisis
The Naine du Tournaisis is a regional Belgian bantam chicken tied to the Tournaisis, the district around Tournai in western Hainaut. It is best understood as a local true bantam: compact, alert, and kept in small farmyards and fanciers' lofts rather than as a miniature version of a particular large fowl. Outside Belgium and northern France the name is uncommon, and translated labels such as Tournaisis bantam or Tournai bantam may appear in old breed lists.
Because the breed is rare, most human interest is conservation and exhibition. A keeper looking for Naine du Tournaisis stock should expect to contact specialist clubs, compare birds against the relevant European standard, and avoid assuming that any small Belgian chicken is the same thing. A dry, secure pen with access to balanced feed is usually more important than elaborate equipment, especially because small active birds are easy prey. Egg numbers are secondary to maintaining fertility, correct type, and enough family lines to prevent close inbreeding.
