Yellow “Jumping” Chicken — the cheerful heart of classic clockwork
A plush shell, a tempered mainspring, and a tiny cam that creates a hop. This is a hands-on guide for curious newcomers and seasoned collectors in the Netherlands and beyond.
The movement
Tensioned mainspring → cam → buoyant hop; governor smooths cadence.
The look
Cheerful plush, tidy stitching, era-correct fixings — dating & authentication clues.
The value
Mechanism integrity + box & leaflets = notable price lift.
The care
Cool, dry storage; no harsh cleaners; short runs every few months.
How the hop actually happens
A compact 4-stage choreography — easy to understand, delightful to watch.
Add energy — never force the last click.
Governor smooths output to steady pulses.
Cam turns rotation into stepping motion.
Mass & balance create the lively bounce.
How it compares
Similar wind-ups, different personalities.
Yellow Jumping Chicken
- • Plush, friendly look
- • Buoyant “hop” gait
- • Strong beginner appeal
- • Box & leaflets boost value
Tinplate Birds
- • Metallic bodies, litho prints
- • Crisper clicks, brighter sound
- • Surface wear shows quickly
- • Often higher mechanical variety
Pull-back Animals
- • Simpler mechanisms
- • Shorter run, less finesse
- • Lower entry price
- • Good for playful demos
Collector’s toolkit
Habits that protect value in Dutch climate conditions.
Light & climate
40–60% RH; avoid sun; prefer LED lighting.
Gentle runs
Short wind every few months.
Soft cleaning
Dry brush, microfibre; keep liquids away.
Paper trail
Photos, notes, receipts, inserts.
A short timeline
Automata roots
Clockmakers show what springs can do.
Golden decades
Mechanisms become playful and refined.
Electronics rise
Clockwork gives way to LEDs & chips.
Collector revival
Craft, STEM value, and nostalgia return.
Quick authenticity & condition check
- • Wind, release, listen: steady tick, lively hop, no grinding noises.
- • Inspect seams: tidy stitch length, no recent glue bleed-through.
- • Hardware: era-consistent metal parts, no bright modern Phillips screws.
- • Plush: uniform tone, period texture; patchwork repairs declared.
- • Paperwork: box, inserts, price tags — match the period typefaces.
Mini glossary
Governor
Regulates speed so the hop looks natural instead of frantic.
Cam
An off-round wheel that converts rotation into up-down motion.
Provenance
Documented ownership that supports authenticity and value.
“It’s tiny, joyful engineering. Wind gently, and a whole micro-world wakes up.”
— Sprung Chicken