Common egg quality problems
Approximately 2% of all chicken eggs has some defect, ranging from minor, barely noticeable faults to downright alarming deformities. So the chances are pretty good that most, if not all flock owners will at some stage find an irregular egg. This article is about the most common egg irregularities and problems and their causes. To help us understand these problems and how they occur, let's first look at how an egg is formed.
Really great info about egg quality problems from "Backyard Chickens"
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/common-egg-quality-problems?utm_campaign=website&utm_source=sendgrid.com&utm_medium=email
Approximately 2% of all chicken eggs has some defect, ranging from minor, barely noticeable faults to downright alarming deformities. So the chances are pretty good that most, if not all flock owners will at some stage find an irregular egg. This article is about the most common egg irregularities and problems and their causes. To help us understand these problems and how they occur, let's first look at how an egg is formed.
Really great info about egg quality problems from "Backyard Chickens"
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/common-egg-quality-problems?utm_campaign=website&utm_source=sendgrid.com&utm_medium=email
Chickens laying durty eggs
If anyone who has been getting dirty eggs from your chickens, Even if you clean your nest boxes or the chicken egg vent.
it's just a simple fix YOUR CHICKENS NEED WORMING.
Worming is really simple, just sprinkle a few tablespoons on the food every day until you see cleaner eggs.
i use Diatomaceous earth or also known as D.E. What is it
Check out this wikipedia link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diatomaceous_earth
You can find D.E on Ebay, Amazon or at your local feed mill and more
it's just a simple fix YOUR CHICKENS NEED WORMING.
Worming is really simple, just sprinkle a few tablespoons on the food every day until you see cleaner eggs.
i use Diatomaceous earth or also known as D.E. What is it
Check out this wikipedia link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diatomaceous_earth
You can find D.E on Ebay, Amazon or at your local feed mill and more
Your eggs will look like this. (the top ones)
To this !
Caring for your chickens
Caring for pet chickens is pretty easy!
They have the same needs as most any other animal.
Here are a few tips for everyday upkeep, as well as advise on winter care.
What to Do on a Daily Basis
•Keep feeders and waterers full.
•Make sure the waterer is clean. Chickens will be less inclined to drink dirty water, and a dehydrated bird can very quickly become ill or die.
•Check to make sure they all look active, bright and healthy.
•Collect and refrigerate eggs.
•If you've opened the coop door to let your chickens out, always be sure to close and secure it at dusk (once they've all returned!) to make sure predators can't get in.
Keep in mind that you CAN leave your chickens alone for a few days provided they have enough food, water and space for the duration of your trip. The eggs they'll have laid in your absence should still be good to eat. Fresh eggs keep for several days without refrigeration. Surprised? Consider this: hens lay an average of 10-12 eggs per "clutch" (the group of eggs that a hen sits on to incubate). They lay one egg per day and at the end of a 10-12 day laying period they roll all the eggs together to incubate them. That means the egg laid on day 1 is still good enough on day 12 to become a living, breathing baby chick - so it should be good enough for you to eat too!
Egg Tip:
Your eggs may have some slight traces of dirt or chicken feces on them. Resist the urge to scrub them clean! Outside the egg is a delicate membrane called the "bloom" that wards off bacteria and other foreign matter. Scrubbing will damage this membrane. If you're one of those Type A people that needs perfect-looking eggs, rub them with your fingers very gently under warm water. Then, wash your hands thoroughly.
What to Do on a Monthly Basis
•Change the bedding in the coop and the nest. This is necessary for sanitary purposes. Excessive ammonia buildup is dangerous to poultry and can cause respiratory illness.
•Remove the feces. We put ours in the compost pile or use it as fertilizer.
What to Do on a Bi-annual Basis
Twice a year you've got to really scrub your coop clean! Remove bedding, nest materials, feed and water containers. clean thoroughly and rinse well, and replace with a fresh supply.
Foods Chickens Shouldn't Eat
•Citrus fruits and peels (they can cause a drop in egg production)
•Bones
•Any large serving of meat, or meat that has gone bad, but they can still eat some meat
•Garlic and onion (unless you want your eggs tasting like them)
•Avocado skins and pits
•Long cut grass
Also, we hear from chicken pros that Morning Glories and Daffodils are poisonous to chickens, and even though chickens will generally know to avoid them, you might just want to keep an eye on them around these plants.
Winter Precautions
If you have cold winters, you shouldn't run into any problems provided you choose the right breed. every owner wants to do the very best for t their flock, and we often you might wonder if you should heat their coop during winter. Our feeling is this isn't a good idea. Chickens adapt to the cold weather over time. Their body metabolism actually changes along with the seasons. When you heat your coop, the birds will never get used to the colder outside temperature -- so if the heat were to accidentally cut out causing a sudden change in temperature, you could literally lose your entire flock overnight. We've seen it happen.
That said, if you live in a really cold climate there are a few precautions you can take to make everyone's lives easier (by which we mean you and your birds!):
•Protect combs and wattles from frostbite by rubbing on petroleum jelly or another heavy moisturizer every few days.
•Make sure the water supply does not freeze! This is very important. Chickens cannot live long without fresh water. If you don't have electricity in your coop and therefore cannot provide a water heater, we recommend you bring the waterer into your house every night, and return it outside every morning. Check the water once or twice a day to make sure it's not frozen.
Info for summer caring
http://buyingchickens.net/raising-chickens/summer-care-tips-for-your-chickens/
They have the same needs as most any other animal.
Here are a few tips for everyday upkeep, as well as advise on winter care.
What to Do on a Daily Basis
•Keep feeders and waterers full.
•Make sure the waterer is clean. Chickens will be less inclined to drink dirty water, and a dehydrated bird can very quickly become ill or die.
•Check to make sure they all look active, bright and healthy.
•Collect and refrigerate eggs.
•If you've opened the coop door to let your chickens out, always be sure to close and secure it at dusk (once they've all returned!) to make sure predators can't get in.
Keep in mind that you CAN leave your chickens alone for a few days provided they have enough food, water and space for the duration of your trip. The eggs they'll have laid in your absence should still be good to eat. Fresh eggs keep for several days without refrigeration. Surprised? Consider this: hens lay an average of 10-12 eggs per "clutch" (the group of eggs that a hen sits on to incubate). They lay one egg per day and at the end of a 10-12 day laying period they roll all the eggs together to incubate them. That means the egg laid on day 1 is still good enough on day 12 to become a living, breathing baby chick - so it should be good enough for you to eat too!
Egg Tip:
Your eggs may have some slight traces of dirt or chicken feces on them. Resist the urge to scrub them clean! Outside the egg is a delicate membrane called the "bloom" that wards off bacteria and other foreign matter. Scrubbing will damage this membrane. If you're one of those Type A people that needs perfect-looking eggs, rub them with your fingers very gently under warm water. Then, wash your hands thoroughly.
What to Do on a Monthly Basis
•Change the bedding in the coop and the nest. This is necessary for sanitary purposes. Excessive ammonia buildup is dangerous to poultry and can cause respiratory illness.
•Remove the feces. We put ours in the compost pile or use it as fertilizer.
What to Do on a Bi-annual Basis
Twice a year you've got to really scrub your coop clean! Remove bedding, nest materials, feed and water containers. clean thoroughly and rinse well, and replace with a fresh supply.
Foods Chickens Shouldn't Eat
•Citrus fruits and peels (they can cause a drop in egg production)
•Bones
•Any large serving of meat, or meat that has gone bad, but they can still eat some meat
•Garlic and onion (unless you want your eggs tasting like them)
•Avocado skins and pits
•Long cut grass
Also, we hear from chicken pros that Morning Glories and Daffodils are poisonous to chickens, and even though chickens will generally know to avoid them, you might just want to keep an eye on them around these plants.
Winter Precautions
If you have cold winters, you shouldn't run into any problems provided you choose the right breed. every owner wants to do the very best for t their flock, and we often you might wonder if you should heat their coop during winter. Our feeling is this isn't a good idea. Chickens adapt to the cold weather over time. Their body metabolism actually changes along with the seasons. When you heat your coop, the birds will never get used to the colder outside temperature -- so if the heat were to accidentally cut out causing a sudden change in temperature, you could literally lose your entire flock overnight. We've seen it happen.
That said, if you live in a really cold climate there are a few precautions you can take to make everyone's lives easier (by which we mean you and your birds!):
•Protect combs and wattles from frostbite by rubbing on petroleum jelly or another heavy moisturizer every few days.
•Make sure the water supply does not freeze! This is very important. Chickens cannot live long without fresh water. If you don't have electricity in your coop and therefore cannot provide a water heater, we recommend you bring the waterer into your house every night, and return it outside every morning. Check the water once or twice a day to make sure it's not frozen.
Info for summer caring
http://buyingchickens.net/raising-chickens/summer-care-tips-for-your-chickens/
Chicken ears and egg color
The most fascinating aspect of the lobes is not that they have them, but that the color of a chicken’s ear lobes will determine what color their eggshell will have—a chicken with white earlobes will produce white shells, and a chicken with red earlobes will produce brown shells. There are a few exceptions: the Dorking breed of chicken has red earlobes but produces white-shelled eggs, and the Aracuana breed from Chile has red earlobes but produces green-shelled eggs and there are breeds that lay black eggs, multi colored eggs, green eggs, etc. But as a general rule the ears tell the tale.
How to tell how old your eggs are
We did try this with the eggs we got from the store (they are from PA) and they were only 2 weeks old!
The Orpingtons
The Orpington is a breed of chicken named after Orpington, England, which was made famous in part by this breed. Belonging to the English class of chickens, it was bred to be an excellent layer with good meat quality.Their large size and soft appearance together with their rich color and gentle contours make them very attractive, and as such its popularity has grown as a show bird rather than a utility breed. They go broody very often, and make great mothers. Although being rather heavy, they are able to fly small distances but rarely do, so they work well as backyard birds. Due to their build they do well in very cold climates. The fluff of their feathers allows rain water to penetrate, so they must be kept out of the rain.
The original Black Orpington was bred by William Cook in 1886 by crossing Minorcas, Langshans and Plymouth Rocks to create a new hybrid bird. Cook selected a black bird that would exhibit well by hiding the dirt and soot of London. When the breed was shown in Madison Square Gardens in 1895, its popularity soared. Cook also gave this name to a breed of duck with a similar purpose, but known simply as the Buff Duck in North America.
The original colors are black, white, buff, blue and splash. Although there are many additional varieties recognized throughout the world, only the original colors are recognized by the American Standard, the Buff being the most common color. In the beginning of the twentieth century, Herman Kuhn of Germany developed a Bantam variety. The Bantam retains the large appearance, but in a smaller size. Like the Standard varieties, there is a large variety of colors in the Bantam version (i.e. black, blue laced, white, buff, red, buff black laced, barred, buff Columbian, and birchen.) The Bantam retains the friendly personality of the Standard breed, and seldom or never flies, so it too makes for a breed for children and backyards.
The Orpington has a heavy, broad body with a low stance, and the down from their body covers most of their legs.
Some characteristics of an Orpington are:
Heavy weight, A range from 6 to 12 pounds
Soft, profuse feathering, which almost hides the legs of the bird.
Curvy shape with a short back and U-shaped underline.
A small head with a medium single comb.
Large and usually easily tamed.
Fluffy feathers making it look distinctively large.
Orpingtons come in many colors:
Thanks to:
wikipedia.com
and bing for the pic's
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The original Black Orpington was bred by William Cook in 1886 by crossing Minorcas, Langshans and Plymouth Rocks to create a new hybrid bird. Cook selected a black bird that would exhibit well by hiding the dirt and soot of London. When the breed was shown in Madison Square Gardens in 1895, its popularity soared. Cook also gave this name to a breed of duck with a similar purpose, but known simply as the Buff Duck in North America.
The original colors are black, white, buff, blue and splash. Although there are many additional varieties recognized throughout the world, only the original colors are recognized by the American Standard, the Buff being the most common color. In the beginning of the twentieth century, Herman Kuhn of Germany developed a Bantam variety. The Bantam retains the large appearance, but in a smaller size. Like the Standard varieties, there is a large variety of colors in the Bantam version (i.e. black, blue laced, white, buff, red, buff black laced, barred, buff Columbian, and birchen.) The Bantam retains the friendly personality of the Standard breed, and seldom or never flies, so it too makes for a breed for children and backyards.
The Orpington has a heavy, broad body with a low stance, and the down from their body covers most of their legs.
Some characteristics of an Orpington are:
Heavy weight, A range from 6 to 12 pounds
Soft, profuse feathering, which almost hides the legs of the bird.
Curvy shape with a short back and U-shaped underline.
A small head with a medium single comb.
Large and usually easily tamed.
Fluffy feathers making it look distinctively large.
Orpingtons come in many colors:
Thanks to:
wikipedia.com
and bing for the pic's
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Large Brown Egg Layer
Buff:
Black:
The chick (1st) and the 2th picture of the rooster and the chicken is in the back:
Black Cuckoo:
Lavender:
Chocolate:
Gold Laced:
White:
The Ameraucana's
The Ameraucana is a breed of chicken thought to have been developed in the United States, though it is not clear exactly where they were developed (the Ameraucana Standard chicken is often classified under "All Other" as place of origin). The name is a portmanteau term of American and Araucana (a related breed). Ameraucanas come in both a large and bantam variety. Eight colors are officially recognized for poultry shows by the American Poultry Association: Black, Blue, Blue Wheaten, Brown Red, Buff, Silver, Wheaten and White. There are several project colors, including Lavender.
Ameraucanas are similar to Araucana chickens because both have pea combs and lay blue shelled eggs. but they are completely different breeds. Ameraucana traits include full tails, muffs, beards, and slate or black legs depending on the variety. Bantam cocks weigh 30 ounces and bantam hens weigh 26 ounces while large fowl cocks weigh 6½ pounds and large fowl hens weigh 5½ pounds.
Confusion with Easter Egger chicken
The Ameraucana Breeders Club defines an Easter Egg chicken, or Easter Egger, as any chicken that possesses the blue egg gene, but doesn’t fully meet any breed description as defined in the APA standards. Further, even if a bird (that possesses the blue egg gene) meets an APA standard breed description, but doesn’t meet a variety description or breed true at least 50% of the time it is considered an Easter Egg chicken.
Gem, an Easter Egger pullet sold by Ideal Poultry as an Ameraucana. The American Poultry Association's American Standard of Perfection contains breed and variety descriptions of all recognized standard breed poultry in North America. This means if your bird does not meet a color requirement, it is in Easter Egger. However, it is highly unlikely to see an Easter Egger which meets all APA standards yet doesn't have the correct color. They are almost always mixed birds, or those descended from the Quechua.
While many hatcheries claim to sell "Ameraucanas", "Americanas", or "Araucanas", very few of them meet true APA standards.
History
Ameraucanas were bred from Easter Eggers, a mixed non-standard breed derived from breeding the native South American Araucana with Old World varieties. The APA officially accepted Ameraucana as standard breeds in 1984.
The characteristic muff and beard of the Ameraucana are present in U.K. Araucana as these traits are present in the Mapuche and Quechua de Artes founder stock imported into Europe from the Falkland Islands. The fully feathered faces of the founder stock are of vital importance as they insulate the birds against the frigid cold of southern coastal South America. Winds from Antarctica bring the temperatures to below zero for months at a time. Blue egg laying chickens brought to the Falklands by Argentinians, traded from Mapuche and Quechua speaking Indians, were later exported from the Falkland Islands by British guano and fishing fleets. The Ameraucana is descended of U.K. Araucanas brought into North America during the World Fair in Montreal's 1967 Expo. Molecular data retrieved from specimens of known provenance in the Falklands, U.K., Shetland Isles and Canada, proved to be closely related. Consequently, the Ameraucana is probably closer genetically to the South American founders than the North American Araucana. In about 1976 a group of people imported some Chilean Araucanas. At least one of these people kept his flock breeding only among themselves. Chicks from their blue eggs looked similar to the British tailed Araucanas and the Ameraucanas, however most do not meet the standards of true breeds. They resemble Falkland island birds, originating from the founder birds of Chile (Quechua).
Colors:
Black, Blue, Blue Wheaten, Brown Red, Buff, Silver, Wheaten, White, Lavender.
Thanks to:
wikipedia.com
and Bing for the pic's
Ameraucanas are similar to Araucana chickens because both have pea combs and lay blue shelled eggs. but they are completely different breeds. Ameraucana traits include full tails, muffs, beards, and slate or black legs depending on the variety. Bantam cocks weigh 30 ounces and bantam hens weigh 26 ounces while large fowl cocks weigh 6½ pounds and large fowl hens weigh 5½ pounds.
Confusion with Easter Egger chicken
The Ameraucana Breeders Club defines an Easter Egg chicken, or Easter Egger, as any chicken that possesses the blue egg gene, but doesn’t fully meet any breed description as defined in the APA standards. Further, even if a bird (that possesses the blue egg gene) meets an APA standard breed description, but doesn’t meet a variety description or breed true at least 50% of the time it is considered an Easter Egg chicken.
Gem, an Easter Egger pullet sold by Ideal Poultry as an Ameraucana. The American Poultry Association's American Standard of Perfection contains breed and variety descriptions of all recognized standard breed poultry in North America. This means if your bird does not meet a color requirement, it is in Easter Egger. However, it is highly unlikely to see an Easter Egger which meets all APA standards yet doesn't have the correct color. They are almost always mixed birds, or those descended from the Quechua.
While many hatcheries claim to sell "Ameraucanas", "Americanas", or "Araucanas", very few of them meet true APA standards.
History
Ameraucanas were bred from Easter Eggers, a mixed non-standard breed derived from breeding the native South American Araucana with Old World varieties. The APA officially accepted Ameraucana as standard breeds in 1984.
The characteristic muff and beard of the Ameraucana are present in U.K. Araucana as these traits are present in the Mapuche and Quechua de Artes founder stock imported into Europe from the Falkland Islands. The fully feathered faces of the founder stock are of vital importance as they insulate the birds against the frigid cold of southern coastal South America. Winds from Antarctica bring the temperatures to below zero for months at a time. Blue egg laying chickens brought to the Falklands by Argentinians, traded from Mapuche and Quechua speaking Indians, were later exported from the Falkland Islands by British guano and fishing fleets. The Ameraucana is descended of U.K. Araucanas brought into North America during the World Fair in Montreal's 1967 Expo. Molecular data retrieved from specimens of known provenance in the Falklands, U.K., Shetland Isles and Canada, proved to be closely related. Consequently, the Ameraucana is probably closer genetically to the South American founders than the North American Araucana. In about 1976 a group of people imported some Chilean Araucanas. At least one of these people kept his flock breeding only among themselves. Chicks from their blue eggs looked similar to the British tailed Araucanas and the Ameraucanas, however most do not meet the standards of true breeds. They resemble Falkland island birds, originating from the founder birds of Chile (Quechua).
Colors:
Black, Blue, Blue Wheaten, Brown Red, Buff, Silver, Wheaten, White, Lavender.
Thanks to:
wikipedia.com
and Bing for the pic's
Eggs, all shades of blue, green and light cream color.
Black:
Blue:
Blue Wheaten:
Brown Red:
Buff:
Silver:
Wheaten:
Lavender:
White:
Silkie Bantams
The Silkie (sometimes alternatively spelled Silky) is a breed of chicken named for its atypically fluffy plumage, which is said to feel like silk. The breed has several other unusual qualities, such as dark blue flesh and bones, blue earlobes, and five toes on each foot, whereas most chickens only have four. They are often exhibited in poultry shows, and exist in several colors including red, buff, blue, grey, black, white, and many mottled variations.
In addition to their distinctive physical characteristics, Silkies are well known for their calm, friendly temperament. Among the most docile of poultry, Silkies are considered an ideal pet. Hens are also exceptionally broody, and make good mothers. Though they are fair layers themselves, laying about three eggs a week, they are commonly used to hatch eggs from other breeds and bird species. Silkies come in both a full-sized and diminutive forms, the latter being typically known as Silkie Bantams.
History:
It is unknown exactly where or when fowl with their singular combination of attributes first appeared, but the most well documented point of origin as ancient China (hence another occasionally encountered name for the bird, Chinese silk chicken). Other places in Southeast Asia have been named as possibilities, such as India and Java. The earliest surviving written account of Silkies comes from Marco Polo, who wrote of a furry chicken in the 13th century, during his travels in Asia. In 1599, Ulisse Aldrovandi, a writer and naturalist at the University of Bologna, Italy, published a comprehensive treatise on chickens which is still read and admired today. In it, he spoke on "wool-bearing chickens" and ones "clothed with hair like that of a black cat".
A black Silkie hen and a non-silkie chick. The breed is renowned for its broodiness and mothering abilities Silkies most likely made their way to the West via the Silk Route and maritime trade. The breed was recognized officially in North America with acceptance into the Standard of Perfection in 1874. Once Silkies became more common in the West, many myths were perpetuated about them. Early Dutch breeders told buyers they were the offspring of chickens and rabbits, while sideshows promoted them as having actual mammalian fur.
In the 21st century, Silkies are one of the most popular and ubiquitous ornamental breeds of chicken. They are often kept as ornamental fowl or pet chickens by backyard keepers, and are also commonly used to incubate and raise the offspring of other chickens and waterfowl like ducks and geese and game birds such as quail and pheasants.
Characteristics:
Silkies are often mistakenly called a bantam breed, and although some countries do consider them a bantam, this varies according to region and many breed standards class them officially as large fowl; the bantam Silkie is actually a separate variety most of the time. Almost all North American strains of the breed are bantam sized, but in Europe the large is the original version. However, even "large" Silkies are relatively small chickens, with standard bantam size males weighing only four pounds (1.8 kg), and females weigh three pounds (1.36 kg). The American Standard of Perfection calls for males that are 36 ounces (1 kg), and females that are 32 ounces (910 grams).
Silkie plumage presently is unique among chicken breeds, though there are growing efforts to standarised silkie feathered varieties in other breeds such as Chabo. It has been compared to silk, and to fur. Their feathers lack functioning barbicels, and are thus similar to down on other birds and leave Silkies unable to fly. The overall result is a soft, fluffy appearance.
Silkies appear in two distinct varieties: Bearded and Non-bearded. Bearded Silkies have an extra muff of feathers under the beak area that covers the earlobes. They also are separated according to color. Colors of Silkie recognized for competitive showing include black, blue, buff, grey, partridge, splash and white. Alternative hues, such as Cuckoo, Red, and Lavender, also exist. All Silkies have a small Walnut-type comb, dark wattles, and turquoise blue earlobes. In addition to these defining characteristics, Silkies have five toes on each foot. Other breeds which exhibit this rare trait include the Dorking, Faverolles, and Sultan.
All Silkies have black skin, bones and grayish-black meat; their Chinese language name is wu gu , literally "dark boned chicken"), meaning "black-boned chicken". Melanism which extends beyond the skin into an animal's connective tissue is a rare trait, and the Silkie is one of only a handful of chickens to exhibit it. Disregarding color, the breed does not generally produce as much as the more common meat breeds of chicken.
Silkies lay a fair number of cream-colored eggs, but production is often interrupted due to their extreme tendency to go broody; a hen will produce 100 eggs in an ideal year. Their capacity for incubation, which has been selectively bred out of most egg-laying fowl, is often exploited by poultry keepers by allowing Silkies to raise the offspring of other birds. In addition to being good mothers, Silkies are universally renowned for their calm, friendly temperament. They do well in confinement, and interact very well with children. This docility can cause Silkies to be bullied by more active or aggressive birds when kept in mixed flocks.
Bantams:
The Silkie bantam is a miniature variety of the Silkie, which is similar to the large Silkie in almost every way, except for size. In some countries, the Silkie bantam is the only or more common variety of Silkie, such as North America, where the bantam variety is the most popular. However in Australia the Silkie bantam is almost unknown, despite being standardised.
In the American Standard of Perfection the standard male weight for the bantam Silkie is 1 kg (36 oz) and for the female, 907 g (32 oz). The Australian Poultry Standard and British Poultry Standard call for Silkie bantams much smaller; in the Australian Poultry Standard, the standard weights are 680 g (25 oz) for males and 570 g (20 oz) for females. The British standard weight for bantam Silkies is 600 g (22 oz) for males, and 500 g for females (18 oz).
In cuisine:
The black meat of a Silkie is generally considered an unusual or unpalatable attribute in European and American cuisines. In contrast, several Asian cuisines consider Silkie meat a gourmet food. Chinese cuisine especially values the breed, but it is also a common ingredient in some Japanese, Cambodian, Vietnamese and Korean dishes. Areas where Chinese cuisine has been a strong influence, such as Malaysia, may also cook Silkie. As early as the 7th century, traditional Chinese medicine has held that chicken soup made with Silkie meat is a curative food. The usual methods of cooking include using Silkie to make broth, braising, and in curries. Traditional Chinese soup made with Silkie also uses ingredients such as wolfberries, Dioscorea opposita (white yam), orange peel, and fresh ginger. A few fusion restaurants in metropolitan areas of the West have also cooked it as a part of traditional American or French cuisine, such as in confit.
Colors: http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGP/Silkies/BRKSilkies.html
In addition to their distinctive physical characteristics, Silkies are well known for their calm, friendly temperament. Among the most docile of poultry, Silkies are considered an ideal pet. Hens are also exceptionally broody, and make good mothers. Though they are fair layers themselves, laying about three eggs a week, they are commonly used to hatch eggs from other breeds and bird species. Silkies come in both a full-sized and diminutive forms, the latter being typically known as Silkie Bantams.
History:
It is unknown exactly where or when fowl with their singular combination of attributes first appeared, but the most well documented point of origin as ancient China (hence another occasionally encountered name for the bird, Chinese silk chicken). Other places in Southeast Asia have been named as possibilities, such as India and Java. The earliest surviving written account of Silkies comes from Marco Polo, who wrote of a furry chicken in the 13th century, during his travels in Asia. In 1599, Ulisse Aldrovandi, a writer and naturalist at the University of Bologna, Italy, published a comprehensive treatise on chickens which is still read and admired today. In it, he spoke on "wool-bearing chickens" and ones "clothed with hair like that of a black cat".
A black Silkie hen and a non-silkie chick. The breed is renowned for its broodiness and mothering abilities Silkies most likely made their way to the West via the Silk Route and maritime trade. The breed was recognized officially in North America with acceptance into the Standard of Perfection in 1874. Once Silkies became more common in the West, many myths were perpetuated about them. Early Dutch breeders told buyers they were the offspring of chickens and rabbits, while sideshows promoted them as having actual mammalian fur.
In the 21st century, Silkies are one of the most popular and ubiquitous ornamental breeds of chicken. They are often kept as ornamental fowl or pet chickens by backyard keepers, and are also commonly used to incubate and raise the offspring of other chickens and waterfowl like ducks and geese and game birds such as quail and pheasants.
Characteristics:
Silkies are often mistakenly called a bantam breed, and although some countries do consider them a bantam, this varies according to region and many breed standards class them officially as large fowl; the bantam Silkie is actually a separate variety most of the time. Almost all North American strains of the breed are bantam sized, but in Europe the large is the original version. However, even "large" Silkies are relatively small chickens, with standard bantam size males weighing only four pounds (1.8 kg), and females weigh three pounds (1.36 kg). The American Standard of Perfection calls for males that are 36 ounces (1 kg), and females that are 32 ounces (910 grams).
Silkie plumage presently is unique among chicken breeds, though there are growing efforts to standarised silkie feathered varieties in other breeds such as Chabo. It has been compared to silk, and to fur. Their feathers lack functioning barbicels, and are thus similar to down on other birds and leave Silkies unable to fly. The overall result is a soft, fluffy appearance.
Silkies appear in two distinct varieties: Bearded and Non-bearded. Bearded Silkies have an extra muff of feathers under the beak area that covers the earlobes. They also are separated according to color. Colors of Silkie recognized for competitive showing include black, blue, buff, grey, partridge, splash and white. Alternative hues, such as Cuckoo, Red, and Lavender, also exist. All Silkies have a small Walnut-type comb, dark wattles, and turquoise blue earlobes. In addition to these defining characteristics, Silkies have five toes on each foot. Other breeds which exhibit this rare trait include the Dorking, Faverolles, and Sultan.
All Silkies have black skin, bones and grayish-black meat; their Chinese language name is wu gu , literally "dark boned chicken"), meaning "black-boned chicken". Melanism which extends beyond the skin into an animal's connective tissue is a rare trait, and the Silkie is one of only a handful of chickens to exhibit it. Disregarding color, the breed does not generally produce as much as the more common meat breeds of chicken.
Silkies lay a fair number of cream-colored eggs, but production is often interrupted due to their extreme tendency to go broody; a hen will produce 100 eggs in an ideal year. Their capacity for incubation, which has been selectively bred out of most egg-laying fowl, is often exploited by poultry keepers by allowing Silkies to raise the offspring of other birds. In addition to being good mothers, Silkies are universally renowned for their calm, friendly temperament. They do well in confinement, and interact very well with children. This docility can cause Silkies to be bullied by more active or aggressive birds when kept in mixed flocks.
Bantams:
The Silkie bantam is a miniature variety of the Silkie, which is similar to the large Silkie in almost every way, except for size. In some countries, the Silkie bantam is the only or more common variety of Silkie, such as North America, where the bantam variety is the most popular. However in Australia the Silkie bantam is almost unknown, despite being standardised.
In the American Standard of Perfection the standard male weight for the bantam Silkie is 1 kg (36 oz) and for the female, 907 g (32 oz). The Australian Poultry Standard and British Poultry Standard call for Silkie bantams much smaller; in the Australian Poultry Standard, the standard weights are 680 g (25 oz) for males and 570 g (20 oz) for females. The British standard weight for bantam Silkies is 600 g (22 oz) for males, and 500 g for females (18 oz).
In cuisine:
The black meat of a Silkie is generally considered an unusual or unpalatable attribute in European and American cuisines. In contrast, several Asian cuisines consider Silkie meat a gourmet food. Chinese cuisine especially values the breed, but it is also a common ingredient in some Japanese, Cambodian, Vietnamese and Korean dishes. Areas where Chinese cuisine has been a strong influence, such as Malaysia, may also cook Silkie. As early as the 7th century, traditional Chinese medicine has held that chicken soup made with Silkie meat is a curative food. The usual methods of cooking include using Silkie to make broth, braising, and in curries. Traditional Chinese soup made with Silkie also uses ingredients such as wolfberries, Dioscorea opposita (white yam), orange peel, and fresh ginger. A few fusion restaurants in metropolitan areas of the West have also cooked it as a part of traditional American or French cuisine, such as in confit.
Colors: http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGP/Silkies/BRKSilkies.html
The Ancona's
The Ancona is a breed of chicken originating in the Marches Italy Called the Marchegiana in Italy they were exported to England in the mid 19th century and named after the sea port of Ancona.
It is noted for its ability to produce large white eggs. It is an excellent, economical layer, as it lays an average of 250 - 300 eggs per year. Anconas are hardy fowls that thrive in high & low temperatures.
The Ancona's plumage is black with white "V" tips on the end of the feathers. Its dark plumage makes it harder for predators to see, and has a beetle green tint. It is a Mediterranean breed, which refers to its point of origin. Like other Mediterranean breeds, they are closely feathered.
Anconas can have either a rose or a single comb , as either are accepted by the American Poultry Association. This breed has four toes on each foot, no feathering on its legs which are yellow mottled with black, and does not possess a crest. Their combs are medium in size, and single comb Ancona females should have a neat comb that falls to one side. Standard males weigh around six pounds, while hens weigh around four and a half pounds. It also comes as a bantam.
Ancona get their name from the port city of Ancona on the North East coast of Italy on the Adriatic Sea where the ancient breed was originally exported from. Ancona share a common history with their famous cousin the Leghorn, also from the same region of Italy. They are so similar in type, that some refer to Ancona as mottled or black Leghorns.
Like the Leghorn, Ancona are famous for being excellent layers of large, white eggs. In 1916, H. Cecil Sheppard, the most famous of Ancona breeders, held the world egg laying record with a Ancona hen that layed 306 eggs in 330 days! They are bold, active birds. Excellent foragers with a good feed conversion ratio for economical production of eggs.
Thanks to:
wikipedia.com
omlet.com (the 1st picture)
and Bing for the 2th picture
It is noted for its ability to produce large white eggs. It is an excellent, economical layer, as it lays an average of 250 - 300 eggs per year. Anconas are hardy fowls that thrive in high & low temperatures.
The Ancona's plumage is black with white "V" tips on the end of the feathers. Its dark plumage makes it harder for predators to see, and has a beetle green tint. It is a Mediterranean breed, which refers to its point of origin. Like other Mediterranean breeds, they are closely feathered.
Anconas can have either a rose or a single comb , as either are accepted by the American Poultry Association. This breed has four toes on each foot, no feathering on its legs which are yellow mottled with black, and does not possess a crest. Their combs are medium in size, and single comb Ancona females should have a neat comb that falls to one side. Standard males weigh around six pounds, while hens weigh around four and a half pounds. It also comes as a bantam.
Ancona get their name from the port city of Ancona on the North East coast of Italy on the Adriatic Sea where the ancient breed was originally exported from. Ancona share a common history with their famous cousin the Leghorn, also from the same region of Italy. They are so similar in type, that some refer to Ancona as mottled or black Leghorns.
Like the Leghorn, Ancona are famous for being excellent layers of large, white eggs. In 1916, H. Cecil Sheppard, the most famous of Ancona breeders, held the world egg laying record with a Ancona hen that layed 306 eggs in 330 days! They are bold, active birds. Excellent foragers with a good feed conversion ratio for economical production of eggs.
Thanks to:
wikipedia.com
omlet.com (the 1st picture)
and Bing for the 2th picture
The bright white eggs are the Ancona, the tan ones are the Delaware chicken eggs
The Andalusian's
The Andalusian is a breed of chicken originating in the Andalucia region of Spain. Often called the Blue Andalusian for the color accepted for showing by the American Poultry Association, they also appear in Splash (mottled) and Black. They are classified as "Mediterranean" chickens, and like other breeds from this class, they are closely feathered, active, and good layers of white eggs. Although the only color pattern recognized by the American Poultry Association is Blue, when you cross two blues you will get some whites and some blacks. Because of this, they are relatively rare except amongst poultry enthusiasts and small backyard flock owners interested in preserving heritage breeds. These rare egg laying chickens lay up to 160 eggs per year.
Developed in the Andalucia, Spain, Andalusians are closely feathered, active and good layers of large white eggs. Blue (laced) is the only variety accepted by the APA, but when two blues are crossed, 25% will be black and 25% will be white. (Incidentally, Mendel used these birds in his genetic experiments, thanks to which we know things like two brown eyed people can have blue eyed children, but two blue eyed people cannot have brown eyed children!) This breed is exceedingly rare!
Thanks to:
mypetchicken.com
wikipedia.com
and bing for the pic's
Developed in the Andalucia, Spain, Andalusians are closely feathered, active and good layers of large white eggs. Blue (laced) is the only variety accepted by the APA, but when two blues are crossed, 25% will be black and 25% will be white. (Incidentally, Mendel used these birds in his genetic experiments, thanks to which we know things like two brown eyed people can have blue eyed children, but two blue eyed people cannot have brown eyed children!) This breed is exceedingly rare!
Thanks to:
mypetchicken.com
wikipedia.com
and bing for the pic's
Andalusian
White (2nd carton)
White (2nd carton)
Antwerp Belgian
The Bearded d'Anvers is a breed of bantam chicken from Belgium. Also called the Antwerp Belgian, both names refer to the breed's origin in Antwerp (the French version being Anvers). The d'Anvers is a true bantam, having no large counterpart from which it was miniaturized. Males weigh (26 ounces) about 2.6 pounds, and hens weigh (22 ounces) about 1.3 pounds
The Bearded d'Anvers is closely related to, and may the be the predecessor of, the Belgian Bearded d'Uccle. The exact time of origin for the breed is unknown, but it is likely that it has existed since at least the 17th century. It is probably a descendant of one of the obscure "basket bantams" of Oceania and the Pacific collected by the Dutch. Specimen skins of the ancient Moa Pakeke of Marquesas, the Koro Sea and Easter Island are very similar to the dAnvers. By the middle of the 19th century, several color varieties were in development. The early 20th century saw a considerable surge in interest by breeders, and it was exported to the U.S. and other places abroad in the first of that century. It was first accepted in to the Standard of Perfection of the American Poultry Association in 1949. Also accepted by the American Bantam Association, it is classed as one of the Rose Comb, Clean Legged bantams.
The Bearded d'Anvers is a purely ornamental breed, kept either as pets or by poultry fanciers for showing. The hens of the breed are very friendly to humans, however the roosters may be aggressive to people. Most Bearded D'Anvers live longer and healthier if keep free-range or in an open space with no crowding. Its plumage can by one of fourteen varieties recognized in competition, ranging from Porcelain to Quail (one of the more common for the breed). It is a diminutive bird with a large, round breast that juts forward and an arching tail. As its name implies, the d'Anvers has a profuse beard of feathers that covers the earlobes. It has a small rose comb and small or nonexistent wattles. Temperamentally, the breed is very amicable, and bears confinement well. Hens lay small white eggs and will go broody
Color: The beak is various shades of horn and the eyes are reddish bay, unless otherwise noted. The beards and muffs are the same color as the plumage, unless otherwise noted.
Black: The eyes are black and the shanks and toes are bluish black to slate. They have standard black plumage.
Black-Breasted Red: The beards and muffs are black and the shanks and toes light slaty blue. They have standard black-breasted red plumage.
Blue: The eyes are dark brown and the shanks and toes are bluish to black slate. They have standard blue plumage.
Blue Quail: The eyes are dark brown and the beard and muffs are brownish yellow. The shanks and toes are slaty blue. Male: The head, hackle, back, and saddle are brilliant bluish black laced with golden bay. The breast, body, and leg feathers are brownish yellow laced with a more intense shade of brownish yellow and straw shaft. The tail and wings are blue to black with some lacing. Female: The head is bluish black tinged with yellow. The hackle and back are blue to bluish black laced with golden bay. The breast, body, and leg feathers are brownish yellow laced with a lighter shade of brownish yellow and straw shaft. The tail and wings are blue to black with some lacing.
Buff: The shanks and toes are salty white. They have standard buff plumage.
Buff Columbian: The shanks and toes are salty blue and they have standard buff Columbian plumage.
Columbian: The beard and muffs are buff and the shanks and toes are salty blue. They have standard Columbian plumage.
Cuckoo: They have bright red eyes and bluish white shanks and toes. They have standard cuckoo plumage.
Mille Fleur: The shanks and toes are salty blue and they have standard mille fleur plumage.
Mottled: The shanks and toes are slate and they have standard mottled plumage.
Porcelain: The shanks and toes are light salty blue and they have standard porcelain plumage.
Quail: They have dark brown eyes and slate blue shanks and toes. The beard and muffs are brownish yellow. Male: The head, hackle, back, saddle, and wings are brilliant black laced with golden bay. The front of the neck, breast, body, and legs are brownish yellow. The tail is black. Female: The head is chocolaty black tinged with yellow. The neck is lustrous chocolaty black laced with golden bay. The front of the neck, breast, and body are brownish yellow laced with a lighter shade of the same color. The tail and wings are chocolaty black laced with light brownish yellow.
Self Blue: The eyes are brown and the shanks and toes are slate. They have standard self blue plumage.
White: The shanks and toes are salty blue to pinkish gray. They have standard white plumage.
Thanks to:
Raising-chickens.org
wikipedia.com
mypetchicken.com
and feathersite.com
The Bearded d'Anvers is closely related to, and may the be the predecessor of, the Belgian Bearded d'Uccle. The exact time of origin for the breed is unknown, but it is likely that it has existed since at least the 17th century. It is probably a descendant of one of the obscure "basket bantams" of Oceania and the Pacific collected by the Dutch. Specimen skins of the ancient Moa Pakeke of Marquesas, the Koro Sea and Easter Island are very similar to the dAnvers. By the middle of the 19th century, several color varieties were in development. The early 20th century saw a considerable surge in interest by breeders, and it was exported to the U.S. and other places abroad in the first of that century. It was first accepted in to the Standard of Perfection of the American Poultry Association in 1949. Also accepted by the American Bantam Association, it is classed as one of the Rose Comb, Clean Legged bantams.
The Bearded d'Anvers is a purely ornamental breed, kept either as pets or by poultry fanciers for showing. The hens of the breed are very friendly to humans, however the roosters may be aggressive to people. Most Bearded D'Anvers live longer and healthier if keep free-range or in an open space with no crowding. Its plumage can by one of fourteen varieties recognized in competition, ranging from Porcelain to Quail (one of the more common for the breed). It is a diminutive bird with a large, round breast that juts forward and an arching tail. As its name implies, the d'Anvers has a profuse beard of feathers that covers the earlobes. It has a small rose comb and small or nonexistent wattles. Temperamentally, the breed is very amicable, and bears confinement well. Hens lay small white eggs and will go broody
Color: The beak is various shades of horn and the eyes are reddish bay, unless otherwise noted. The beards and muffs are the same color as the plumage, unless otherwise noted.
Black: The eyes are black and the shanks and toes are bluish black to slate. They have standard black plumage.
Black-Breasted Red: The beards and muffs are black and the shanks and toes light slaty blue. They have standard black-breasted red plumage.
Blue: The eyes are dark brown and the shanks and toes are bluish to black slate. They have standard blue plumage.
Blue Quail: The eyes are dark brown and the beard and muffs are brownish yellow. The shanks and toes are slaty blue. Male: The head, hackle, back, and saddle are brilliant bluish black laced with golden bay. The breast, body, and leg feathers are brownish yellow laced with a more intense shade of brownish yellow and straw shaft. The tail and wings are blue to black with some lacing. Female: The head is bluish black tinged with yellow. The hackle and back are blue to bluish black laced with golden bay. The breast, body, and leg feathers are brownish yellow laced with a lighter shade of brownish yellow and straw shaft. The tail and wings are blue to black with some lacing.
Buff: The shanks and toes are salty white. They have standard buff plumage.
Buff Columbian: The shanks and toes are salty blue and they have standard buff Columbian plumage.
Columbian: The beard and muffs are buff and the shanks and toes are salty blue. They have standard Columbian plumage.
Cuckoo: They have bright red eyes and bluish white shanks and toes. They have standard cuckoo plumage.
Mille Fleur: The shanks and toes are salty blue and they have standard mille fleur plumage.
Mottled: The shanks and toes are slate and they have standard mottled plumage.
Porcelain: The shanks and toes are light salty blue and they have standard porcelain plumage.
Quail: They have dark brown eyes and slate blue shanks and toes. The beard and muffs are brownish yellow. Male: The head, hackle, back, saddle, and wings are brilliant black laced with golden bay. The front of the neck, breast, body, and legs are brownish yellow. The tail is black. Female: The head is chocolaty black tinged with yellow. The neck is lustrous chocolaty black laced with golden bay. The front of the neck, breast, and body are brownish yellow laced with a lighter shade of the same color. The tail and wings are chocolaty black laced with light brownish yellow.
Self Blue: The eyes are brown and the shanks and toes are slate. They have standard self blue plumage.
White: The shanks and toes are salty blue to pinkish gray. They have standard white plumage.
Thanks to:
Raising-chickens.org
wikipedia.com
mypetchicken.com
and feathersite.com
Egg Color: Cream or Tinted
Egg Size: Tiny (bantam)
Egg Size: Tiny (bantam)
The Appenzeller
The Appenzeller is a breed of chicken originating in Appenzell region of Switzerland. The Appenzeller comes in two varieties. The Spitzhauben, meaning "pointed hood" (which comes from the frilly hat worn by the women in the Appenzeller region in Switzerland. Brought to America by a doctor who successfully introduced the breed for the long term here.) has a V-comb and feather crests in males and females. The Barthuhner ("bearded hen") has a rose comb and no crest. Both types appear in either black, golden spangled and silver spangled plumage. They are mostly a show breed, but are okay egg layers.
Today the breed is largely an ornamental one kept for showing, but it lays also a respectable quantity of white eggs. It is a light chicken, with hens weighing an average of 3.5 lbs (1.6 kg) and roosters 4.5 lbs (2 kg). Behaviorally, it is a flighty breed that doesn't do well in confinement, can forage well, and will roost in trees if given the opportunity. In North America, it is very rare and is recognized officially by neither the American Poultry Association or other breed registries. The silver spangled Spitzhauben is the most common variety found abroad.
Though there is no standard in North America, the UK does recognize the breed and accepts it as a standardized breed. There is, however, a push in the United States for the Spitzhauben to be recognized by the American Poultry Association.
Colors:
Barthuhner, Black Spangled, Blue Spangled, Gold, Gold Spangled, Silver Spangled
Thanks To:
Omlet.co.uk
feathersite.com
wikipedia.com
and bing.com (the pictures)
Today the breed is largely an ornamental one kept for showing, but it lays also a respectable quantity of white eggs. It is a light chicken, with hens weighing an average of 3.5 lbs (1.6 kg) and roosters 4.5 lbs (2 kg). Behaviorally, it is a flighty breed that doesn't do well in confinement, can forage well, and will roost in trees if given the opportunity. In North America, it is very rare and is recognized officially by neither the American Poultry Association or other breed registries. The silver spangled Spitzhauben is the most common variety found abroad.
Though there is no standard in North America, the UK does recognize the breed and accepts it as a standardized breed. There is, however, a push in the United States for the Spitzhauben to be recognized by the American Poultry Association.
Colors:
Barthuhner, Black Spangled, Blue Spangled, Gold, Gold Spangled, Silver Spangled
Thanks To:
Omlet.co.uk
feathersite.com
wikipedia.com
and bing.com (the pictures)
Araucana
The Araucana, also known in the USA as a South American Rumpless, is a breed of chicken originating in Chile. The Araucana is often confused with other fowl, especially the Ameraucana and Easter Egger chickens, but has several unusual characteristics which distinguish it. They lay blue eggs, have feather tufts near their ears, and no tail (In North America). To comply with the North American standard they must have no tail and are rumpless.
The ancestors of the modern Araucana chicken were purportedly first bred by the Araucanian Indians of Chile — hence the name "Araucana." The Araucana is a hybrid of two South American breeds: the Collonca (a naturally blue-egg laying, rumpless, clean-faced chicken) and the Quetro (a pinkish-brown egg layer that is tailed and has ear-tufts). The Collonca male and female are very similar, with very few secondary sexual characteristics like comb, wattles or tail coverts to distinguish them.
The European equivalent of the North American show standard variety Araucana is what one comes across in South American villages. Quechua and Mapuche do not have tufts and resemble the Ameraucana.
The current worldwide Araucana Standard (except North America) indicates a medium- to large-sized chicken with a tail that lays bluish-green eggs. Specific features are feather ear tufts, muffs, and beards, with a very much reduced comb, a small feather crest and a complete absence of wattles. The current North American standard calls for a chicken that is rumpless (missing their last vertebrae and lacking a tail), possesses ear-tufts (feathers that grow out from near the birds' ears), and lays blue eggs. In the United States and Canada, muffs, beards, and tails are all disqualifications.
The Ameraucana should also lay blue eggs, but unlike the Araucana it has a tail and possesses muffs and a beard, which are quite different from the tufts of the Araucana, and no feather crest.
The Araucana's eggs are not more nutritious than eggs of other colors, nor do they have any negative health effects.
Araucana, Ameraucana or Easter Egger?
Ameraucana hen When the Araucana was first introduced to breeders worldwide in the mid-20th century, the genetics that produced tufts were recognized to also cause chick mortality. Two copies of the gene cause nearly 100% mortality shortly before hatching. The tufted gene is dominant, however. Because no living Araucana possesses two copies of the tufted gene, breeding any two tufted birds leads to half of the resulting brood being tufted with one copy of the gene, a quarter being clean-faced with no copy of the gene, and a quarter of the brood dead in the shell, having received two copies of the gene.
In the decades to follow, most breeders took one of two tacks — either to preserve the old style of bird, or to breed out the tufts while increasing productivity.
In 1976, the first standards for the breed were accepted by the APA, conforming to the traditional style. This was followed, in 1984, by a second standard for the "improved" variety.
The gene for blue eggs is dominant, so the term "Easter Egger" is used to describe birds of mixed breeding that produce such eggs. Unfortunately, these mixed breeds are often incorrectly labelled as Araucanas or Ameraucanas, and marketed to backyard poultry hobbyists who are not aware of the difference.
In short, the differences are as follows:
The APA Araucana belong to the following Poultry Class AOSB "All Other Standard Breed " while the ABA belongs to the following class "All Other Comb Clean Leg". In Great Britain, the PCGB (Poultry Club of Great Britain) classifies it as Light, Soft Feather.
The colors recognized by the APA/ABA/PCGB are :
The APA recognizes 5 colors "Black , White , Black Breasted Red , Silver Duckwing , Golden Duckwing. "
The ABA recognizes 6 colors " Black , White , Black Breasted Red , Blue , Buff , Silver."
The PCGB recognizes 12 colors " Lavender, Blue, Black/Red, Silver Duckwing, Golden Duckwing, Blue/Red, Pyle, Crele, Spangled, Cuckoo, Black and White."
Thanks To:
wikipedia.com
mypetchicken.com
and bing for the pictures
The ancestors of the modern Araucana chicken were purportedly first bred by the Araucanian Indians of Chile — hence the name "Araucana." The Araucana is a hybrid of two South American breeds: the Collonca (a naturally blue-egg laying, rumpless, clean-faced chicken) and the Quetro (a pinkish-brown egg layer that is tailed and has ear-tufts). The Collonca male and female are very similar, with very few secondary sexual characteristics like comb, wattles or tail coverts to distinguish them.
The European equivalent of the North American show standard variety Araucana is what one comes across in South American villages. Quechua and Mapuche do not have tufts and resemble the Ameraucana.
The current worldwide Araucana Standard (except North America) indicates a medium- to large-sized chicken with a tail that lays bluish-green eggs. Specific features are feather ear tufts, muffs, and beards, with a very much reduced comb, a small feather crest and a complete absence of wattles. The current North American standard calls for a chicken that is rumpless (missing their last vertebrae and lacking a tail), possesses ear-tufts (feathers that grow out from near the birds' ears), and lays blue eggs. In the United States and Canada, muffs, beards, and tails are all disqualifications.
The Ameraucana should also lay blue eggs, but unlike the Araucana it has a tail and possesses muffs and a beard, which are quite different from the tufts of the Araucana, and no feather crest.
The Araucana's eggs are not more nutritious than eggs of other colors, nor do they have any negative health effects.
Araucana, Ameraucana or Easter Egger?
Ameraucana hen When the Araucana was first introduced to breeders worldwide in the mid-20th century, the genetics that produced tufts were recognized to also cause chick mortality. Two copies of the gene cause nearly 100% mortality shortly before hatching. The tufted gene is dominant, however. Because no living Araucana possesses two copies of the tufted gene, breeding any two tufted birds leads to half of the resulting brood being tufted with one copy of the gene, a quarter being clean-faced with no copy of the gene, and a quarter of the brood dead in the shell, having received two copies of the gene.
In the decades to follow, most breeders took one of two tacks — either to preserve the old style of bird, or to breed out the tufts while increasing productivity.
In 1976, the first standards for the breed were accepted by the APA, conforming to the traditional style. This was followed, in 1984, by a second standard for the "improved" variety.
The gene for blue eggs is dominant, so the term "Easter Egger" is used to describe birds of mixed breeding that produce such eggs. Unfortunately, these mixed breeds are often incorrectly labelled as Araucanas or Ameraucanas, and marketed to backyard poultry hobbyists who are not aware of the difference.
In short, the differences are as follows:
- USA and Canada Araucana – tufts (lethal allele), rumpless, blue eggs, willow legs and yellow skin (with exceptions)
- US Ameraucana – beards and muffs (NO lethal gene), with tail feathers, blue eggs, slate legs and white skin
- British, Irish, New Zealand, Asian, Japanese, Russian, Dutch, French, Spanish, Bellarus, Ukrainian, Scandinavian, Argentinian, Chilean, South African, Pacific Islands, Brazilian, Mexican, Peruvian, Arabic Nations, Indian, Pakistan, Nepalese and Australian Araucana – beards, muffs and crest, with tail feathers, blue eggs, slate or olive/willow legs and grey/white skin
- Easter Egger – variable traits
The APA Araucana belong to the following Poultry Class AOSB "All Other Standard Breed " while the ABA belongs to the following class "All Other Comb Clean Leg". In Great Britain, the PCGB (Poultry Club of Great Britain) classifies it as Light, Soft Feather.
The colors recognized by the APA/ABA/PCGB are :
The APA recognizes 5 colors "Black , White , Black Breasted Red , Silver Duckwing , Golden Duckwing. "
The ABA recognizes 6 colors " Black , White , Black Breasted Red , Blue , Buff , Silver."
The PCGB recognizes 12 colors " Lavender, Blue, Black/Red, Silver Duckwing, Golden Duckwing, Blue/Red, Pyle, Crele, Spangled, Cuckoo, Black and White."
Thanks To:
wikipedia.com
mypetchicken.com
and bing for the pictures
The Araucana's lay colored eggs just like the ameraucana but there colors are paler
The Asil
The Asil or Aseel is a breed of chicken originating from South Punjab/ Sindh area of Pakistan and India. Similar fowl are found throughout Southeast Asia and have names like Shamo, Taiwan, etc.
Asils were first used for cock fighting and may be considered fighting cocks. Aseel is noted for its pugnacity. The chicks often fight when they are just a few weeks old and mature roosters will fight to the death. Hens can also be very aggressive towards each other.
Towards humans Asil are generally very tame and trusting. There are anecdotes where they have come to their keepers for other things than food, for example to get the keeper to open the door to the coop so they can get to roost.[1]
The hens are not good layers, but are excellent sitters. Laying depends on the Asil variety, the small Asil are known to be very poor layers, sometimes laying just 6 eggs a year, whereas larger Asil can lay around 40 eggs a year.
In the U.S., the breed is on the "Watchlist" (2012), by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. The Aseel breed is found in almost all states of India, but abundant in Andhra Pradesh.
There are many varieties of Asil, some are standardized for shows such as the Reza Asil in the UK, some are simply named after the area where they are bred such as the Mianwali Asil from Pakistan or the colour, red/wheaten Asil are generally known as "Sonatol".
There are also hen-feathered Asil knows as "Madaroo" these are found in various colours, but the cocks come with feathers in hen colour, don't have sickle feathers in the tails and miss the large hanging feathers on the saddle. This variety is very rare.
Asil with feather beards under their beaks known as "muffed" and with tufts on the top of their heads known as "tasseled" are also seen, but are very rare especially outside India/Pakistan.
Bhaingam Asil variety have a have a large single comb but confirm to all the other Asil standards.
Broadly speaking, Asil in Europe are categorized and shown under these three types:
Madras asil Madras asils are very big and muscular. They can get up to 32 inches the main colours are black,red,grey,blue and green.
Reza Asil Height: Up to 50 cms tall. Weight: Maximum weight for the hens is 1.8 kg, or 4 max weight for the cocks is 2.7 kg, or 5. 1/2
This type is standardized by the Asian Hardfeather Society in the UK and is seen at shows throughout the UK, but is quite rare.
This group of Asil reached worldwide popularity due to books and articles written by game fowl experts such as Herbert Atkinson, Siran and Paul Deraniyagala from Sri Lanka and Carlos Finsterbusch from Chile. The Reza Asil family according the old (Western) game fowl literature is subdivided into following strains: (Amir) Ghan (Dark-Red), Sonatol(Light-Red), (Siyah) Rampur(Black), Kalkatiya (Kaptan)(Speckled-Reds) and Jawa(Duckwing). All these strains are identified by their specific color, these colors do not necessarily correspond with the area where the birds come from.
In colonial times other colors such as whites, spangles, golden etc. were regarded as inferior. At present day the "classic" strains and names given mentioned by Atkinson are more or less forgotten. The native people in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka only know the Reza-type Asil by their local names.
information: Aseels are slow-growing, powerfully built chickens with regal, upright bearings. Color varieties recognized by the APA are Black-breasted Red, Dark, Spangled, White and Wheaton. Aseel roosters weigh 5½ pounds and hens weigh 4 pounds. The breed has short, hard, glossy feathers covering a solid, compact body; pearly white eyes; a broad skull with protruding eyebrows and cheekbones; a short, curved beak; a small pea comb with red earlobes; and a naked dewlap instead of a wattle.
Special Consideration/Notes on Aseel Chickens: Aseel chickens are tame and friendly toward humans but fiercely aggressive toward one another, especially when kept in close confinement. Aseel roosters cannot be penned together or with roosters of other breeds, and hens sometimes fight among themselves. Although Aseels lay very few eggs, they are supremely broody and have wonderful maternal characteristics—they have even been known to fend off snakes that threaten their chicks. Aseels make excellent living incubators for hatching non-broody breeds’ eggs. The breed is listed in the Watch category of the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy’s Conservation Priority List.
Aseel Cream or tinted
(brown egg is the Aseel, white is a store egg)
Asils were first used for cock fighting and may be considered fighting cocks. Aseel is noted for its pugnacity. The chicks often fight when they are just a few weeks old and mature roosters will fight to the death. Hens can also be very aggressive towards each other.
Towards humans Asil are generally very tame and trusting. There are anecdotes where they have come to their keepers for other things than food, for example to get the keeper to open the door to the coop so they can get to roost.[1]
The hens are not good layers, but are excellent sitters. Laying depends on the Asil variety, the small Asil are known to be very poor layers, sometimes laying just 6 eggs a year, whereas larger Asil can lay around 40 eggs a year.
In the U.S., the breed is on the "Watchlist" (2012), by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. The Aseel breed is found in almost all states of India, but abundant in Andhra Pradesh.
There are many varieties of Asil, some are standardized for shows such as the Reza Asil in the UK, some are simply named after the area where they are bred such as the Mianwali Asil from Pakistan or the colour, red/wheaten Asil are generally known as "Sonatol".
There are also hen-feathered Asil knows as "Madaroo" these are found in various colours, but the cocks come with feathers in hen colour, don't have sickle feathers in the tails and miss the large hanging feathers on the saddle. This variety is very rare.
Asil with feather beards under their beaks known as "muffed" and with tufts on the top of their heads known as "tasseled" are also seen, but are very rare especially outside India/Pakistan.
Bhaingam Asil variety have a have a large single comb but confirm to all the other Asil standards.
Broadly speaking, Asil in Europe are categorized and shown under these three types:
Madras asil Madras asils are very big and muscular. They can get up to 32 inches the main colours are black,red,grey,blue and green.
Reza Asil Height: Up to 50 cms tall. Weight: Maximum weight for the hens is 1.8 kg, or 4 max weight for the cocks is 2.7 kg, or 5. 1/2
This type is standardized by the Asian Hardfeather Society in the UK and is seen at shows throughout the UK, but is quite rare.
This group of Asil reached worldwide popularity due to books and articles written by game fowl experts such as Herbert Atkinson, Siran and Paul Deraniyagala from Sri Lanka and Carlos Finsterbusch from Chile. The Reza Asil family according the old (Western) game fowl literature is subdivided into following strains: (Amir) Ghan (Dark-Red), Sonatol(Light-Red), (Siyah) Rampur(Black), Kalkatiya (Kaptan)(Speckled-Reds) and Jawa(Duckwing). All these strains are identified by their specific color, these colors do not necessarily correspond with the area where the birds come from.
In colonial times other colors such as whites, spangles, golden etc. were regarded as inferior. At present day the "classic" strains and names given mentioned by Atkinson are more or less forgotten. The native people in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka only know the Reza-type Asil by their local names.
information: Aseels are slow-growing, powerfully built chickens with regal, upright bearings. Color varieties recognized by the APA are Black-breasted Red, Dark, Spangled, White and Wheaton. Aseel roosters weigh 5½ pounds and hens weigh 4 pounds. The breed has short, hard, glossy feathers covering a solid, compact body; pearly white eyes; a broad skull with protruding eyebrows and cheekbones; a short, curved beak; a small pea comb with red earlobes; and a naked dewlap instead of a wattle.
Special Consideration/Notes on Aseel Chickens: Aseel chickens are tame and friendly toward humans but fiercely aggressive toward one another, especially when kept in close confinement. Aseel roosters cannot be penned together or with roosters of other breeds, and hens sometimes fight among themselves. Although Aseels lay very few eggs, they are supremely broody and have wonderful maternal characteristics—they have even been known to fend off snakes that threaten their chicks. Aseels make excellent living incubators for hatching non-broody breeds’ eggs. The breed is listed in the Watch category of the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy’s Conservation Priority List.
Aseel Cream or tinted
(brown egg is the Aseel, white is a store egg)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Thanks To:
wikipedia.com
and bing for the pictures
Thanks To:
wikipedia.com
and bing for the pictures
The Australorp
The Australorp is a chicken breed of Australian origin.
It is a large, soft-feathered bird, with white toenails, black legs and beak, and a moderately large and upright single comb, with five distinct points. The Australorp is a hardy, docile, and a good egg-layer as well as meat bird.
The original stock used in the development of the Australorp was imported to Australia from England out of the Black Orpington yards of William Cook and Joseph Partington in the period from 1890 to the early 1900s with Rhode Island Red. Local breeders used this stock together with judicious out-crossings of Minorca, White Leghorn and Langshan blood to improve the utility features of the imported Orpingtons. There is even a report of some Plymouth Rock blood also being used. The emphasis of the early breeders was on utility features. At this time, the resulting birds were known as Australian Black Orpingtons (Austral-orp).
The origin of the name "Australorp" seems to be shrouded in as much controversy as the attempts to obtain agreement between the States over a suitable national Standard. The earliest claim to the name was made by one of poultry fancy's institutions, Wiliam Wallace Scott, before the First World War. From 1925 Wal Scott set to work to have Australorp recognized as a breed with the Poultry Society as he developed the breed. Equally as persuasive a claim came in 1919 from Arthur Harwood who suggested that the "Australian Laying Orpingtons" be named "Australs". The letters "orp" were suggested as a suffix to denote the major breed in the fowl's development. A further overseas claim to the name came from Britain's W. Powell-Owen who drafted the British Standard for the breed in 1921 following the importation of the "Australian Utility Black Orpingtons." It is certain that the name "Australorp" was being used in the early 1920s when the breed was launched internationally. In 1929, the Australorp was admitted to the Standard of Perfection.
Colors and varieties:
The Australorp, like many breeds of chicken, comes in both bantam and standard size and multiple colors.
The Australorp currently has three recognised colours according to the Australian Poultry Standard; black, white and blue. Prior to 2012 only Blue and Black were recognised but in the 2nd edition of the standard whie was added. A fourth colour, splash, exists but is not regonised and is not showable. The black Australorp is the most common colour, and has glossy black feathers and a lustrous green sheen (known as beetle green). The blue Australorp has a grey-blue plumage, the white Australorp is a pure white bird and splash is a white bird with randomly spotted black and grey feathers.
Eggs:
It was the egg laying performance of Australorps which attracted world attention when in 1922-23 a team of six hens set a world record of 1857 eggs at an average of 309.5 eggs per hen for a 365 consecutive day trial. It must be remembered that these figures were achieved without the lighting regimes of the modern intensive shed. Such performances had importation orders flooding in from England, United States of America, South Africa, Canada and Mexico. Well looked after Australorps lay approximately 250 light-brown eggs per year. A new record was set when a hen laid 364 eggs in 365 days. They are also known to be good nest sitters and mothers, making them one of the most exceptional large, heritage utility breeds of chicken.
Weight:
Large Australorps
Rooster 10 pounds
Hen 9 pounds
Bantam Australorps
Rooster 2.6
Hen 1.7
The 1st picture is the Australorp chicken eggs, the 2th picture is the bantam australorp chicken eggs...
Thanks To:
Wikipedia.com
Bing for the pictures
And backyardchickens.com
Wikipedia.com
Bing for the pictures
And backyardchickens.com
Ayam Cemani
Ayam Cemani is a breed of chicken, originating in Indonesia. It is a rarely kept breed.
Etymology: Ayam means "chicken" in Indonesian and Cemani is "completely black" in Javanese.
Origin: The breed originated from the island of Java, Indonesia. It was first time imported into Europe in 1998 by Dutch breeder Jan Steverink. Nowadays it is kept in the Netherlands, Germany, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
There are many descendants of the Ayam Cemani including the Swedish Black Chicken. It is thought that Ayam Cemani may have been brought to Europe by Dutch seamen that had numerous contacts in both Africa and Asia.
Description: The birds are completely black: black plumage with a greenish shine, black legs and toe nails, black beak and tongue, black comb and wattles, black meat and bones and even dark blood (not black) and organs. The roosters weigh 2-2.5 kg and the hens from 1.5–2 kg.
The hens are nonsitters and produce 80 white eggs with a slight pink tint per year of 45 g weight.
Despite many rumours the blood of the Ayam Cemani is not black as this would be impossible.
More pic's and info: http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGA/Cemani/BRKCemani.html
Etymology: Ayam means "chicken" in Indonesian and Cemani is "completely black" in Javanese.
Origin: The breed originated from the island of Java, Indonesia. It was first time imported into Europe in 1998 by Dutch breeder Jan Steverink. Nowadays it is kept in the Netherlands, Germany, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
There are many descendants of the Ayam Cemani including the Swedish Black Chicken. It is thought that Ayam Cemani may have been brought to Europe by Dutch seamen that had numerous contacts in both Africa and Asia.
Description: The birds are completely black: black plumage with a greenish shine, black legs and toe nails, black beak and tongue, black comb and wattles, black meat and bones and even dark blood (not black) and organs. The roosters weigh 2-2.5 kg and the hens from 1.5–2 kg.
The hens are nonsitters and produce 80 white eggs with a slight pink tint per year of 45 g weight.
Despite many rumours the blood of the Ayam Cemani is not black as this would be impossible.
More pic's and info: http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGA/Cemani/BRKCemani.html
Thanks To:
Wikipedia.com
Bing for the pictures
Feather site
The Barnevelder
The Barnevelder is a medium heavy breed of chicken named after the Dutch town of Barneveld. It is a cross of 19th century Dutch landrace chickens with Asian breeds imported to Europe in the mid-late 19th century such as the Brahma, Cochin, Croad Langshan and Malay.
Hans Schippers, the Dutch authority on the breed, reports the following on the development of the Barnevelders: Between c. 1850 and 1875 Cochin, Malay, Brahma and Croad Langshan arrived from Asia and were crossed with local fowl. One particular strain of brown egg laying fowl were like Black Cochins in appearance and were kept as a meat bird (these were not, however, purebred Cochins). Around 1885 these birds were crossed with Brahmas and the offspring of this cross was crossed with Langshan. In 1898 American utility birds ("Amerikaanse Nuthoenders"), a rough version of the Golden Wyandotte (apparently not dissimilar to the American Winnebago, a ‘precursor’ to the Golden-laced Wyandotte) were crossed into the developing breed followed in 1906 by Buff Orpingtons. Overall in the development to follow the Croad Langshan continued to have the biggest influence and contributed hardiness, brown eggs and good winter production.
A similar account, bar the influence of the "Amerikaanse Nuthoenders", was given in 1930 by P. L. Wijk, District State Poultry Expert, Apeldoorn and P. Ubbels, State Poultry Consultant, Beekbergen, The Netherlands in his contribution on The Origin of the Barnevelder and Welsummer Breeds. The authors add that
"[i]n 1899 it was ascertained that the fowls on the farms in the neighbourhood of Barneveld showed some uniformity. This could be explained by the fact that poultry keepers always obtained their setting eggs from the farmers who came to market with the finest eggs, and who as a rule used dark-coloured cocks for breeding."
According to Wijk & Ubbels, efforts were made to obtain more uniformity in color and type from 1910 onwards and the name Barnevelder dates from that time. An Association of Barneveld Breeders was established in 1921 which fixed the standard.
Indian Game (Cornish) may have been crossed into the Barnevelders in Britain sometime after their importation into Britain in the 1920s.
The breed gained worldwide recognition and was exported to many countries because of its ability to lay approximately 180-200 large brown eggs per year.
Characteristics:
Barnevelder eggs Barnevelder double-laced chicks (large fowl) Today, Barnevelders are bred both as a utility breed and a show breed. They are medium heavy dual-purpose chickens laying a good number of eggs but also yielding a reasonable carcass. They are hardy birds and good foragers. While they became famous for their dark brown eggs in the first half of the 20th century most birds now appear to be in the hands of show breeders and not much attention has been given to maintaining the dark brown egg color or to productivity with the focus being on external characteristics instead. Many flocks now lay eggs of a much lighter brown than before and are sometimes not quite as productive as befits their reputation. They are good winter layers and have a quiet disposition.
The original and most well known Barnevelder is the double laced variety with a single vertical comb and yellow legs, but white, black, brown, partridge, blue and double laced blue varieties also exist. Not all countries recognize all these varieties in their Poultry Standards. There are large fowl as well as bantam versions of most of the different colours.
Double-laced (large fowl) Late 19th/early 20th century. Bred in Barneveld, Netherlands. History as above.
Double-laced (Bantam) Recognized in 1931 in Germany. Bred from a 'petite' double-laced hen and a Bantam Rhode Island Red cock, followed by crossings with Bantam Golden-laced Wyandottes, Bantam German Langshan, and Bantam Indian Game (Cornish).
Black (large fowl) 1920s. Black came as a sport from the partridge. Black Plymouth Rock and Black Wyandottes were crossed in to achieve pure black.
Black (Bantam) Recognized in 1954 in Germany. Bred from Black Barnevelders and Bantam Black Wyandottes in Germany.
White (large fowl) 1934. Occasionally occurring recessive white birds were crossed with white Plymouth Rocks and White Leghorn to produce White Barnevelders.
White (Bantam) Recognized in 1960 in Germany. Bred from Black Barnevelders and Bantam White Wyandottes in Germany.
Autosexing barred (large fowl) 1930-1939. Produced by Haagedorn. Don't seem to have persisted.
Autosexing barred (Bantam) Recognized in Germany in 1988. Bred in Germany with the aid of autosexing Bantam Bielefelder. Bantam Niederrheiner and Bantam Italiener (German-type Leghorn) were also crossed in.
Dark brown (large fowl) 1978? Recognized in 1982 in Germany. Bred from Black Barnevelders, Rhode Island Reds and New Hampshires in Germany.
Dark brown (Bantam) Recognized in 1987 in Germany. Bred from Bantam Black Barnevelders, Bantam Rhode Island Reds and Bantam New Hampshires in Germany.
Partridge (large fowl) Partridge Barnevelders are still kept in Britain in the 1990s, possibly still derived from early imports.
Double-laced Blue (large fowl) [info needed]
Double-laced Blue (Bantam) Originally bred in the Netherlands. Bred again in Germany from a Bantam double-laced Barnevelder cock and a Bantam blue-laced Wyandotte hen; recognized in 1987.
Blue (large fowl) Recognized in Germany in 1997. Bred from Black Barnevelder and Blue Niederrheiner. Not recognized in the Netherlands.
Silver (large fowl) Appears to be a recognised variety in the British & Australian Poultry Standards. Single-laced.
Silver-black double-laced (Bantam) Developed in the first years of the new millennium by Dutch breeder Bert Beugelsdijk from crosses of double-laced Barnevelder bantams and Silver-pencilled Wyandotte bantams. Recognised in 2009.
The double-laced pattern Barnevelder double-laced cock (large fowl) In 1930, C. S. Th. Van Gink, Vice-President of the World’s Poultry Science Association, Voorburg, The Netherlands, wrote the following:
When in 1921 the Barnevelders were exhibited at the First World’s Poultry Exhibition at the Hague a number of visitors from abroad saw this breed, which was then just acquiring its definite type of colouring and marking, and suggested verbally and in print its relationship to the Indian Games. Why? Just because the double-laced marking of the female’s feathers supported this opinion! This conclusion was wrong, and there was little or no excuse for the error made, as with the exception of the resemblance in markings there was no other point that could suggest a relationship between these two breeds. How could there be, as there is no blood of the Indian Games in the Barnevelders? For years and years they were within certain limits variable in colouring and marking until here and there a female appeared with markings which were more or less like the double-laced pattern as we know it in the Indian Games. The appearance of these double-laced females remained fairly well unnoticed by the breeders of the Barnevelders, but we happened to see these birds and suggested, - where the breeders were looking for a suitable colour-type of which both standard-marked males and females could be bred from the same breeding pen, - that this type of marking be given a fair chance, as it had proved in another breed to fulfil these requirements. Since then this colour-type has been adopted in Holland and it will in the future safeguard the breed against otherwise perhaps unnoticed crosses, as no cross can possibly be found that will not upset the adopted colour-markings in some respect."
Genetically, the double-laced feather pattern phenotype has been shown to depend upon homozygosity of both the linked eumelanin extension melanotic (Ml/Ml) and the feather pattern arranging gene (Pg/Pg). In the Barnevelder (large fowl), the pattern is expressed on a brown (e^b/e^b) background. Only the females express the double-laced pattern, whereas the males are melanized black-breasted reds
Hans Schippers, the Dutch authority on the breed, reports the following on the development of the Barnevelders: Between c. 1850 and 1875 Cochin, Malay, Brahma and Croad Langshan arrived from Asia and were crossed with local fowl. One particular strain of brown egg laying fowl were like Black Cochins in appearance and were kept as a meat bird (these were not, however, purebred Cochins). Around 1885 these birds were crossed with Brahmas and the offspring of this cross was crossed with Langshan. In 1898 American utility birds ("Amerikaanse Nuthoenders"), a rough version of the Golden Wyandotte (apparently not dissimilar to the American Winnebago, a ‘precursor’ to the Golden-laced Wyandotte) were crossed into the developing breed followed in 1906 by Buff Orpingtons. Overall in the development to follow the Croad Langshan continued to have the biggest influence and contributed hardiness, brown eggs and good winter production.
A similar account, bar the influence of the "Amerikaanse Nuthoenders", was given in 1930 by P. L. Wijk, District State Poultry Expert, Apeldoorn and P. Ubbels, State Poultry Consultant, Beekbergen, The Netherlands in his contribution on The Origin of the Barnevelder and Welsummer Breeds. The authors add that
"[i]n 1899 it was ascertained that the fowls on the farms in the neighbourhood of Barneveld showed some uniformity. This could be explained by the fact that poultry keepers always obtained their setting eggs from the farmers who came to market with the finest eggs, and who as a rule used dark-coloured cocks for breeding."
According to Wijk & Ubbels, efforts were made to obtain more uniformity in color and type from 1910 onwards and the name Barnevelder dates from that time. An Association of Barneveld Breeders was established in 1921 which fixed the standard.
Indian Game (Cornish) may have been crossed into the Barnevelders in Britain sometime after their importation into Britain in the 1920s.
The breed gained worldwide recognition and was exported to many countries because of its ability to lay approximately 180-200 large brown eggs per year.
Characteristics:
Barnevelder eggs Barnevelder double-laced chicks (large fowl) Today, Barnevelders are bred both as a utility breed and a show breed. They are medium heavy dual-purpose chickens laying a good number of eggs but also yielding a reasonable carcass. They are hardy birds and good foragers. While they became famous for their dark brown eggs in the first half of the 20th century most birds now appear to be in the hands of show breeders and not much attention has been given to maintaining the dark brown egg color or to productivity with the focus being on external characteristics instead. Many flocks now lay eggs of a much lighter brown than before and are sometimes not quite as productive as befits their reputation. They are good winter layers and have a quiet disposition.
The original and most well known Barnevelder is the double laced variety with a single vertical comb and yellow legs, but white, black, brown, partridge, blue and double laced blue varieties also exist. Not all countries recognize all these varieties in their Poultry Standards. There are large fowl as well as bantam versions of most of the different colours.
Double-laced (large fowl) Late 19th/early 20th century. Bred in Barneveld, Netherlands. History as above.
Double-laced (Bantam) Recognized in 1931 in Germany. Bred from a 'petite' double-laced hen and a Bantam Rhode Island Red cock, followed by crossings with Bantam Golden-laced Wyandottes, Bantam German Langshan, and Bantam Indian Game (Cornish).
Black (large fowl) 1920s. Black came as a sport from the partridge. Black Plymouth Rock and Black Wyandottes were crossed in to achieve pure black.
Black (Bantam) Recognized in 1954 in Germany. Bred from Black Barnevelders and Bantam Black Wyandottes in Germany.
White (large fowl) 1934. Occasionally occurring recessive white birds were crossed with white Plymouth Rocks and White Leghorn to produce White Barnevelders.
White (Bantam) Recognized in 1960 in Germany. Bred from Black Barnevelders and Bantam White Wyandottes in Germany.
Autosexing barred (large fowl) 1930-1939. Produced by Haagedorn. Don't seem to have persisted.
Autosexing barred (Bantam) Recognized in Germany in 1988. Bred in Germany with the aid of autosexing Bantam Bielefelder. Bantam Niederrheiner and Bantam Italiener (German-type Leghorn) were also crossed in.
Dark brown (large fowl) 1978? Recognized in 1982 in Germany. Bred from Black Barnevelders, Rhode Island Reds and New Hampshires in Germany.
Dark brown (Bantam) Recognized in 1987 in Germany. Bred from Bantam Black Barnevelders, Bantam Rhode Island Reds and Bantam New Hampshires in Germany.
Partridge (large fowl) Partridge Barnevelders are still kept in Britain in the 1990s, possibly still derived from early imports.
Double-laced Blue (large fowl) [info needed]
Double-laced Blue (Bantam) Originally bred in the Netherlands. Bred again in Germany from a Bantam double-laced Barnevelder cock and a Bantam blue-laced Wyandotte hen; recognized in 1987.
Blue (large fowl) Recognized in Germany in 1997. Bred from Black Barnevelder and Blue Niederrheiner. Not recognized in the Netherlands.
Silver (large fowl) Appears to be a recognised variety in the British & Australian Poultry Standards. Single-laced.
Silver-black double-laced (Bantam) Developed in the first years of the new millennium by Dutch breeder Bert Beugelsdijk from crosses of double-laced Barnevelder bantams and Silver-pencilled Wyandotte bantams. Recognised in 2009.
The double-laced pattern Barnevelder double-laced cock (large fowl) In 1930, C. S. Th. Van Gink, Vice-President of the World’s Poultry Science Association, Voorburg, The Netherlands, wrote the following:
When in 1921 the Barnevelders were exhibited at the First World’s Poultry Exhibition at the Hague a number of visitors from abroad saw this breed, which was then just acquiring its definite type of colouring and marking, and suggested verbally and in print its relationship to the Indian Games. Why? Just because the double-laced marking of the female’s feathers supported this opinion! This conclusion was wrong, and there was little or no excuse for the error made, as with the exception of the resemblance in markings there was no other point that could suggest a relationship between these two breeds. How could there be, as there is no blood of the Indian Games in the Barnevelders? For years and years they were within certain limits variable in colouring and marking until here and there a female appeared with markings which were more or less like the double-laced pattern as we know it in the Indian Games. The appearance of these double-laced females remained fairly well unnoticed by the breeders of the Barnevelders, but we happened to see these birds and suggested, - where the breeders were looking for a suitable colour-type of which both standard-marked males and females could be bred from the same breeding pen, - that this type of marking be given a fair chance, as it had proved in another breed to fulfil these requirements. Since then this colour-type has been adopted in Holland and it will in the future safeguard the breed against otherwise perhaps unnoticed crosses, as no cross can possibly be found that will not upset the adopted colour-markings in some respect."
Genetically, the double-laced feather pattern phenotype has been shown to depend upon homozygosity of both the linked eumelanin extension melanotic (Ml/Ml) and the feather pattern arranging gene (Pg/Pg). In the Barnevelder (large fowl), the pattern is expressed on a brown (e^b/e^b) background. Only the females express the double-laced pattern, whereas the males are melanized black-breasted reds
Thanks To:
Wikipedia.com
Feathersite.com
and Bing.com for most of the pictures
Wikipedia.com
Feathersite.com
and Bing.com for most of the pictures
Belgian Bearded d'Uccle Bantam
The Belgian Bearded d'Uccle (pronounced dew-clay), or Barbu D'Uccle in French, is a breed of bantam chicken originating from the town of Uccle on the outskirts of Brussels, Belgium. The bird is frequently referred to as the Mille Fleur in the U.S., after the most common color variation (which is French for "thousand flowers"). It also has a related variant that is tailless, called the Belgian d'Everberg.
The Mille Fleur variety is the most popular breed of Belgian Bearded d'Uccles - so much so that people commonly refer to all Beglains as "Millies" or "Mille Fleurs"! The only difference between this breed and the Booted Bantams is the presence of a beard.
Origins:
The Breed came into being in the early 19th Century from Belgium, and was created by a Belgian man by the name of Michael Van Gelder. Most sources maintain that it originated from crosses of the Antwerp Belgian and the sabelpoot which is known today as the Booted Bantam, and raised as a closely related but separated breed.
Appearance:
Barbu D'Uccles have a low posture, a short but well developed neck and a rather open tail-feathering. D'Uccles have a single comb, different from its rose-combed relative the d'Anvers. The weight of a cock is around 26 ounces or 1.6 pounds and a hen weighs roughly 22 ounces or 1.3 pounds. The Belgian Bearded D'Uccles comes in many color variations such as: Mille Fleur, Porcelain, Black mottled, Buff mottled, Blue mottled, Blue Mille Fleur, Buff Colombian, Brown red, Red, White, Black, Buff, Blue, Colombian, Lavender, Splash, Golden Necked and Lemon.
Characteristics
The Belgian Bearded D'Uccle is renowned for being a calm bird. Bearded D'Uccle eggs are notably small and are coated with creamy or tinted coloring. The breed is known for being very broody, and a typical hen can lay her eggs over a two-week period, though others have taken as long as three weeks (21 days).In the US they are frequently referred to as Mille Fleur or Millies, in spite of the fact that Mille Fleur is only one of their color variants and it also appears in other breeds, such as Leghorns, Dutch Bantams, Old Englishes, Booted Bantams, and many more. The most thing a lot of people forget is hawk feathers. For most hawk Feathers are bad for show birds but the Belgian d'uccle are supposed to have them.
Colors:
Mille Fleur, Porcelain, Buff, Blue and Self Blue, White, Black, Golden Necked
The Mille Fleur variety is the most popular breed of Belgian Bearded d'Uccles - so much so that people commonly refer to all Beglains as "Millies" or "Mille Fleurs"! The only difference between this breed and the Booted Bantams is the presence of a beard.
Origins:
The Breed came into being in the early 19th Century from Belgium, and was created by a Belgian man by the name of Michael Van Gelder. Most sources maintain that it originated from crosses of the Antwerp Belgian and the sabelpoot which is known today as the Booted Bantam, and raised as a closely related but separated breed.
Appearance:
Barbu D'Uccles have a low posture, a short but well developed neck and a rather open tail-feathering. D'Uccles have a single comb, different from its rose-combed relative the d'Anvers. The weight of a cock is around 26 ounces or 1.6 pounds and a hen weighs roughly 22 ounces or 1.3 pounds. The Belgian Bearded D'Uccles comes in many color variations such as: Mille Fleur, Porcelain, Black mottled, Buff mottled, Blue mottled, Blue Mille Fleur, Buff Colombian, Brown red, Red, White, Black, Buff, Blue, Colombian, Lavender, Splash, Golden Necked and Lemon.
Characteristics
The Belgian Bearded D'Uccle is renowned for being a calm bird. Bearded D'Uccle eggs are notably small and are coated with creamy or tinted coloring. The breed is known for being very broody, and a typical hen can lay her eggs over a two-week period, though others have taken as long as three weeks (21 days).In the US they are frequently referred to as Mille Fleur or Millies, in spite of the fact that Mille Fleur is only one of their color variants and it also appears in other breeds, such as Leghorns, Dutch Bantams, Old Englishes, Booted Bantams, and many more. The most thing a lot of people forget is hawk feathers. For most hawk Feathers are bad for show birds but the Belgian d'uccle are supposed to have them.
Colors:
Mille Fleur, Porcelain, Buff, Blue and Self Blue, White, Black, Golden Necked
There eggs would be a slightly tented white egg making it look like a light cream color.
Thanks To:
Bing.com
Backyard Chickens.com
Wikipedia.org
Bing.com
Backyard Chickens.com
Wikipedia.org
The Booted Bantam
The Booted Bantam, also called the Dutch Booted Bantam, is a bantam breed of chicken. Its name is derived from the bird's extravagant feathering on the feet and hock joints, which are called vulture hocks or "sabels" in Dutch. With no large fowl counterpart from which it was miniaturized, the Booted is one of the true bantams. Males usually weigh in at around (30 ounces) 1.8 pounds and females (27 ounces) 1.6 pounds . American standards dictate a smaller ideal size of (26 ounces) 1.6 pounds for males, and (22 ounces) 1.3 for females.
Characteristics Booted Bantams are angular birds with profuse plumage. They have broad backs, breasts carried well forward, and relatively large, downward-pointing wings following the line of the vulture hocks. They do not quite reach the floor though. Booted Bantams have a single upright comb with five points, horn-colored beaks, red wattles, and red earlobes. Almost exclusively an exhibition chicken raised by poultry fanciers, they appear in more than a twenty colour varieties. Colours accepted in shows include: Barred, Black, Blue, Buff, Cuckoo, Columbian, Gray, Golden Neck, Millefleur (the most common), Mottled, Partridge, Lavender, Lemon Millefleur, Porcelain, Self Blue, Silver Millefleur and White.
Long kept as pets in addition to being shown, Booted Bantams are usually friendly and calm. They are good foragers, and are said to do less damage to garden plants because of their heavily feathered feet. However, most breeders keep their Booted Bantams confined and on soft bedding in order to maintain these feathers. Hens readily go broody, and lay very small eggs that are white or tinted in color. Their egg production is respectable for bantams, especially in summer.
History The Booted Bantam is closely related to the Belgian Bearded d'Uccle. The most significant differences in conformation between the two are the d'Uccle's feather beard and the greater height of the Booted. Some sources assert the two breeds share a singular point of origin, with a Belgian breeder around the beginning of the 20th century. Other sources point to a clearly documented presence in the Netherlands since the 16th century, and note that the Booted Bantam is known to this day in the Netherlands, as the Nederlandse Sabelpootkriel (Dutch, Dutch saber-legged bantam). Whatever their exact relation, Booted Bantams and Bearded d'Uccles are only two of a handful of chicken breeds to possess vulture hocks, (Sultans do too).
Popular across Europe for hundreds of years, the Booted Bantam was imported to North America from Germany in the early 20th century. It was officially recognized by the American Poultry Association in 1914. It is also recognized by the American Bantam Association, and is classed in the Feather Legged group.
Booted Bantams in the UK Booted Bantams in the UK are catered for by the Rare Poultry Society(RPS). The breed has 11 colours accepted by the Poultry Club of Great Britain. These are black, black mottled, blue, buff mottled, cuckoo, lavender, lemon millefleur, millefleur, porcelain, silver millefleur, white. The black and white Booted Bantams were created in the UK and have been here for over 100 years. In recent years more colours have been imported into the UK from mainland Europe and the most popular colour by far is the Lemon Millefleur Booted Bantam. Although not shown in large numbers at present they are a very popular pet and are becoming more common in people's back gardens. They are a breed that can be susceptible to a form of Mareks Disease although this can be bred out within a few years
Egg Color: Cream or Tinted
Egg Size: Tiny (bantam)
Characteristics Booted Bantams are angular birds with profuse plumage. They have broad backs, breasts carried well forward, and relatively large, downward-pointing wings following the line of the vulture hocks. They do not quite reach the floor though. Booted Bantams have a single upright comb with five points, horn-colored beaks, red wattles, and red earlobes. Almost exclusively an exhibition chicken raised by poultry fanciers, they appear in more than a twenty colour varieties. Colours accepted in shows include: Barred, Black, Blue, Buff, Cuckoo, Columbian, Gray, Golden Neck, Millefleur (the most common), Mottled, Partridge, Lavender, Lemon Millefleur, Porcelain, Self Blue, Silver Millefleur and White.
Long kept as pets in addition to being shown, Booted Bantams are usually friendly and calm. They are good foragers, and are said to do less damage to garden plants because of their heavily feathered feet. However, most breeders keep their Booted Bantams confined and on soft bedding in order to maintain these feathers. Hens readily go broody, and lay very small eggs that are white or tinted in color. Their egg production is respectable for bantams, especially in summer.
History The Booted Bantam is closely related to the Belgian Bearded d'Uccle. The most significant differences in conformation between the two are the d'Uccle's feather beard and the greater height of the Booted. Some sources assert the two breeds share a singular point of origin, with a Belgian breeder around the beginning of the 20th century. Other sources point to a clearly documented presence in the Netherlands since the 16th century, and note that the Booted Bantam is known to this day in the Netherlands, as the Nederlandse Sabelpootkriel (Dutch, Dutch saber-legged bantam). Whatever their exact relation, Booted Bantams and Bearded d'Uccles are only two of a handful of chicken breeds to possess vulture hocks, (Sultans do too).
Popular across Europe for hundreds of years, the Booted Bantam was imported to North America from Germany in the early 20th century. It was officially recognized by the American Poultry Association in 1914. It is also recognized by the American Bantam Association, and is classed in the Feather Legged group.
Booted Bantams in the UK Booted Bantams in the UK are catered for by the Rare Poultry Society(RPS). The breed has 11 colours accepted by the Poultry Club of Great Britain. These are black, black mottled, blue, buff mottled, cuckoo, lavender, lemon millefleur, millefleur, porcelain, silver millefleur, white. The black and white Booted Bantams were created in the UK and have been here for over 100 years. In recent years more colours have been imported into the UK from mainland Europe and the most popular colour by far is the Lemon Millefleur Booted Bantam. Although not shown in large numbers at present they are a very popular pet and are becoming more common in people's back gardens. They are a breed that can be susceptible to a form of Mareks Disease although this can be bred out within a few years
Egg Color: Cream or Tinted
Egg Size: Tiny (bantam)
Thanks To:
Poultrykeeper.com
Bing.com
Omlet.com
wikipedia.org
Poultrykeeper.com
Bing.com
Omlet.com
wikipedia.org
Brahmas
Brahmas are an Asiatic breed of chicken, originating in the Brahmaputra region in India where they were known as "Gray Chittagongs." Their heritage is unclear, but they are believed to be closely related to the Jungle Fowl (Gallus Gigantus) and the Cochin.
The first Brahmas were brought to the U.S. from British India in 1846, and were used as a utility fowl for their edibility and generous egg laying and hardiness even during the winter months, although today they are kept mainly for ornamental purposes as selection for utility has taken a back seat to selection for appearance. Some of the earliest imports to the U.S. reached weights of nearly 14 pounds, but rarely is such massive size seen today: standard weight for a cock is 11 pounds; hens are 8.5 pounds. By the 1870s Brahmas had become so popular that they were admitted into the American Poultry Association's Standard of Perfection
Temperament:
Brahmas are calm, friendly birds that make good pets or exhibition fowl. Males are calm and generally not aggressive towards humans. They are not skittish or easily scared, making them a popular choice for families with children. Due to their docile demeanor, Brahmas can be easily trained so that they can be handled by almost anyone. They should be hand trained when young because their large size makes them difficult to control in the early stages of training if they are full grown.
Appearance:
Brahmas are massive in appearance, in part due to profuse, loose feathering and feathered legs and toes. Approximate weights:
Recognized varieties The American Standard of Perfection recognizes three Brahma varieties: light, dark, and buff. The light Brahma has a base color of white, with black hackles edged in white and a black tail. The cocks' saddle feathers in a light Brahma are striped with black. The dark Brahma has the most notable difference between cock and hen. The hen has a dark gray and black penciled coloration with the same hackle as the light whereas the cock has black and white hackles and saddle feathers, and a black base and tail. The wings of a dark Brahma are white-shouldered and the primary feathers (remiges) are edged with white. Buff Brahmas have the same pattern of black as light Brahmas, except with a golden buff base color instead of white.
In Australia Brahma Breeders are creating more colours and along with the accepted American varieties - Light, dark, and buff the Australian Poultry Association have accepted black, blue, partridge, crele and even barred varieties of Brahma.
Brahmas are gentle giants with feathered legs and feet and profuse, fluffy feathering. Originally from India, these birds were bred for meat production, though the hens lay relatively decently and are great setters and mothers. This fancy breed of chicken makes a great pet for its quiet and tame nature, tolerance to the cold, huggability and sheer chic-ness!
Color: Buff, Light, Dark, Gold, Black, White, Blue, Buff Columbian, Buff Laced and Blue Columbian.
Egg Color: Brown
Egg Size: Medium
The first Brahmas were brought to the U.S. from British India in 1846, and were used as a utility fowl for their edibility and generous egg laying and hardiness even during the winter months, although today they are kept mainly for ornamental purposes as selection for utility has taken a back seat to selection for appearance. Some of the earliest imports to the U.S. reached weights of nearly 14 pounds, but rarely is such massive size seen today: standard weight for a cock is 11 pounds; hens are 8.5 pounds. By the 1870s Brahmas had become so popular that they were admitted into the American Poultry Association's Standard of Perfection
Temperament:
Brahmas are calm, friendly birds that make good pets or exhibition fowl. Males are calm and generally not aggressive towards humans. They are not skittish or easily scared, making them a popular choice for families with children. Due to their docile demeanor, Brahmas can be easily trained so that they can be handled by almost anyone. They should be hand trained when young because their large size makes them difficult to control in the early stages of training if they are full grown.
Appearance:
Brahmas are massive in appearance, in part due to profuse, loose feathering and feathered legs and toes. Approximate weights:
Recognized varieties The American Standard of Perfection recognizes three Brahma varieties: light, dark, and buff. The light Brahma has a base color of white, with black hackles edged in white and a black tail. The cocks' saddle feathers in a light Brahma are striped with black. The dark Brahma has the most notable difference between cock and hen. The hen has a dark gray and black penciled coloration with the same hackle as the light whereas the cock has black and white hackles and saddle feathers, and a black base and tail. The wings of a dark Brahma are white-shouldered and the primary feathers (remiges) are edged with white. Buff Brahmas have the same pattern of black as light Brahmas, except with a golden buff base color instead of white.
In Australia Brahma Breeders are creating more colours and along with the accepted American varieties - Light, dark, and buff the Australian Poultry Association have accepted black, blue, partridge, crele and even barred varieties of Brahma.
Brahmas are gentle giants with feathered legs and feet and profuse, fluffy feathering. Originally from India, these birds were bred for meat production, though the hens lay relatively decently and are great setters and mothers. This fancy breed of chicken makes a great pet for its quiet and tame nature, tolerance to the cold, huggability and sheer chic-ness!
Color: Buff, Light, Dark, Gold, Black, White, Blue, Buff Columbian, Buff Laced and Blue Columbian.
Egg Color: Brown
Egg Size: Medium
Campine
The Campine is a breed of chicken originating in Belgium's Campine region. They are a fairly small breed in Silver and Gold varieties, with solid white or golden hackles and iridescent black-green barred bodies. Hens and roosters are nearly identical in feather coloration. They will lay a fair number of white-shelled eggs, but are largely kept for showing today. The Campine's head and neck is gold with the remainder of the bird being beetle–green, it can also have a white head and neck with the remainder also being beetle-green.
The Campine biologically has been compared both in appearance and anatomy to the Sebright; a fancy breed of True Bantam that also displays gold and silver feather patterns. Thus it is speculated they could have been used as one of the breeds used to create the Sebright.
For more info
See links
http://chickenbreedslist.com/Campine.html
http://www.raising-chickens.org/campine.html
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The Campine biologically has been compared both in appearance and anatomy to the Sebright; a fancy breed of True Bantam that also displays gold and silver feather patterns. Thus it is speculated they could have been used as one of the breeds used to create the Sebright.
For more info
See links
http://chickenbreedslist.com/Campine.html
http://www.raising-chickens.org/campine.html
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Catalana
The Catalana breed of was developed in Cantonia, Spain.
It is classified as Mediterranean type under the Large Fowl and Bantam class. In 1902, the breed was first introduced at the World’s Fair in Madrid, Spain and was well received by Latin American countries as well as few other places in South American countries. In 1949, it was admitted to the American Poultry Association’s Standard of Perfection.
Today, the Catalana is raised both for egg and meat production. The hens are excellent layers of medium to large sized, cream or tinted eggs.
It is also noteworthy for being a hardy chicken and its tolerance of tropical climates. Its famous variety is the Buff Catalana or Catalana del Prat Lleonada which is a medium sized breed.
In the standard size, the rooster weighs around 8 pounds; hens at 6 pounds.
It is classified as Mediterranean type under the Large Fowl and Bantam class. In 1902, the breed was first introduced at the World’s Fair in Madrid, Spain and was well received by Latin American countries as well as few other places in South American countries. In 1949, it was admitted to the American Poultry Association’s Standard of Perfection.
Today, the Catalana is raised both for egg and meat production. The hens are excellent layers of medium to large sized, cream or tinted eggs.
It is also noteworthy for being a hardy chicken and its tolerance of tropical climates. Its famous variety is the Buff Catalana or Catalana del Prat Lleonada which is a medium sized breed.
In the standard size, the rooster weighs around 8 pounds; hens at 6 pounds.
Chantecler
The Chantecler is a breed of chickenoriginating in Canada. The Chantecler was developed in the early 20th century, at the Abbey of Notre-Dame du Lac in Oka, Quebec. It is extremely cold-resistant, and is suitable for both egg and meat production.
History At the dawn of the 20th century, no breeds of chicken had been established in Canada, and Canadian farmers and poultry fanciers only had fowl of European and American derivation. This fact was noted by Brother Wilfred Chantelain, a Trappist monk and Doctor of Agronomy, as he toured the poultry flocks of the Oka Agricultural Institute, an agricultural school at his abbey which is affiliated with the Université de Montréal.
In 1907, the Brother set out to remedy this void and create a practical chicken that would be suited to Canada's climate and production needs. Working at the Abbey of Notre-Dame du Lac in Oka, Chantelain first combined Dark Cornishes, White Leghorns, Rhode Island Reds, White Plymouth Rocks and White Wyandottes, creating the White variant of the Chantecler. It was admitted in to the American Poultry Association's Standard of Perfection in 1921. By 1918, the breed was presented to the public. To this day, the Chantecler is one of only two breeds of poultry from Canada, and the only one known to have been created primarily by a member of a monastic order.
At the outset, it was only intended for the breed to be white in color; white birds are preferred for commercial meat production in the West, as they produce a particularly clean-looking carcass. In the 1930s, the Partridge Chantecler was generated by crossing Partridge Wyandottes, Partridge Cochins, Dark Cornishes, and the rose comb type of Brown Leghorns to produce a chicken more adapted to free range conditions. This variant was admitted to the Standard in 1935. There has also been a Buff variety present since the 1950s, but it has never been admitted to show standards.
In 1979, the extinction of the Chantecler was publicized, with what was thought to be the last rooster of the breed dying at the University of Saskatchewan's Department of Animal and Poultry Science. However, despite the disappearance of the breed in institutional and commercial hatcheries, it was still maintained by a few small farms. In the 21st century, the breed persists, but is listed as Critical by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy.
Characteristics:
The Chantecler is a large chicken that lays respectably well and is a good meat producer. Roosters weigh around 9 pound, and hens are 6.5 to 7.5 pounds.The breed possess yellow skin and beaks, and lay brown eggs. With plumage that lies tight against the body but has a good deal of fluff, and an exceptionally small cushion comb and wattles, the Chantecler is one of the most cold hardy chickens. They are gentle birds amenable to taming, but can be temperamental in confinement
History At the dawn of the 20th century, no breeds of chicken had been established in Canada, and Canadian farmers and poultry fanciers only had fowl of European and American derivation. This fact was noted by Brother Wilfred Chantelain, a Trappist monk and Doctor of Agronomy, as he toured the poultry flocks of the Oka Agricultural Institute, an agricultural school at his abbey which is affiliated with the Université de Montréal.
In 1907, the Brother set out to remedy this void and create a practical chicken that would be suited to Canada's climate and production needs. Working at the Abbey of Notre-Dame du Lac in Oka, Chantelain first combined Dark Cornishes, White Leghorns, Rhode Island Reds, White Plymouth Rocks and White Wyandottes, creating the White variant of the Chantecler. It was admitted in to the American Poultry Association's Standard of Perfection in 1921. By 1918, the breed was presented to the public. To this day, the Chantecler is one of only two breeds of poultry from Canada, and the only one known to have been created primarily by a member of a monastic order.
At the outset, it was only intended for the breed to be white in color; white birds are preferred for commercial meat production in the West, as they produce a particularly clean-looking carcass. In the 1930s, the Partridge Chantecler was generated by crossing Partridge Wyandottes, Partridge Cochins, Dark Cornishes, and the rose comb type of Brown Leghorns to produce a chicken more adapted to free range conditions. This variant was admitted to the Standard in 1935. There has also been a Buff variety present since the 1950s, but it has never been admitted to show standards.
In 1979, the extinction of the Chantecler was publicized, with what was thought to be the last rooster of the breed dying at the University of Saskatchewan's Department of Animal and Poultry Science. However, despite the disappearance of the breed in institutional and commercial hatcheries, it was still maintained by a few small farms. In the 21st century, the breed persists, but is listed as Critical by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy.
Characteristics:
The Chantecler is a large chicken that lays respectably well and is a good meat producer. Roosters weigh around 9 pound, and hens are 6.5 to 7.5 pounds.The breed possess yellow skin and beaks, and lay brown eggs. With plumage that lies tight against the body but has a good deal of fluff, and an exceptionally small cushion comb and wattles, the Chantecler is one of the most cold hardy chickens. They are gentle birds amenable to taming, but can be temperamental in confinement
Cornish
The Cornish, known as the Indian Game in its native county of Cornwall in England, United Kingdom, is a breed of chicken. Cornish chickens, as well as crosses of Cornishes, are the most-used breed in the chicken meat industry.They are heavy, muscular birds that lay brown eggs and require little feed if allowed free range
Description It is a large, stocky breed, and is often crossed with other breeds to enhance meat production. There are two varieties, the Cornish Game and the Jubilee Cornish Game. The Cornish Game is dark blue - green in color, with brown patterning on the hens. Jubilee Cornish Game are much lighter, and less stocky than their counterparts. They are usually light wheaten in color, with light brown patterning.The Indian game, also known as Cornish, is sometimes called the bulldog among chickens; you can actually see the roast chicken shape in it. It was created because people wanted to cross the Asian game breeds with old English game to create a fantastic fighter. However what they got (though not the right build for fighting) was a fantastic meat bird.
It comes in many colors and is quite a popular show bird, though it has a tendency for bad legs due to widely spaced hips. It is also when crossed with a Sussex or a Dorking, an excellent backyard meat bird. On average Indian Game produce 160-180 eggs per year. Though aggressiveness is a common characteristic they are relatively easy to handle and make good mothers. Indian Game require more space than most other breeds so they may not be suitable for suburban producers or enthusiasts. The Indian Game is however highly prone to parasites, the Cornish must also be provided with extra shelter as their feathers tend to be thinner than other birds.
Weight:
Cock 8.5 pounds
Hen 5.7
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Description It is a large, stocky breed, and is often crossed with other breeds to enhance meat production. There are two varieties, the Cornish Game and the Jubilee Cornish Game. The Cornish Game is dark blue - green in color, with brown patterning on the hens. Jubilee Cornish Game are much lighter, and less stocky than their counterparts. They are usually light wheaten in color, with light brown patterning.The Indian game, also known as Cornish, is sometimes called the bulldog among chickens; you can actually see the roast chicken shape in it. It was created because people wanted to cross the Asian game breeds with old English game to create a fantastic fighter. However what they got (though not the right build for fighting) was a fantastic meat bird.
It comes in many colors and is quite a popular show bird, though it has a tendency for bad legs due to widely spaced hips. It is also when crossed with a Sussex or a Dorking, an excellent backyard meat bird. On average Indian Game produce 160-180 eggs per year. Though aggressiveness is a common characteristic they are relatively easy to handle and make good mothers. Indian Game require more space than most other breeds so they may not be suitable for suburban producers or enthusiasts. The Indian Game is however highly prone to parasites, the Cornish must also be provided with extra shelter as their feathers tend to be thinner than other birds.
Weight:
Cock 8.5 pounds
Hen 5.7
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Crevecoeur
The Crèvecœur is a rare breed of chicken originating in France. Named after the town of Crèvecœur in Normandy, it is one of the oldest French chicken breeds, and may be the progenitor of the La Flèche, Houdan, and Faverolles.
They have uniformly black plumage, a V-shaped comb and large crests, similar in this last regard to the Houdan and Polish breeds. Their legs are a dark blue–gray.
They were first kept in France as dual–purpose chickens, valued for both their white eggs and meat. Abroad in the U.S. and the U.K., where consumers prefer table birds with light-colored legs, Crèvecceurs are primarily bred for poultry exhibition. They were admitted in to the American Poultry Association's Standard of Perfection in 1874.
Pros: Lay HUGE eggs, friendy” “They make you happy! Very sociable, easy to keep, blend in well with guinea fowl and Orpington chickens, hens lay a nice egg.
Cons: “Very rare, shallow gene pool” “We have little experience with the breed. From what I can tell after raising a few cockerels, there is a wide range of type in their V combs.”
More Info http://www.raising-chickens.org/crevecoeur-chickens.html
Cubalaya
The Cubalaya is a breed of chicken originating in Cuba. The distinguishing trait of this breed is their long, broad tail—called a lobster tail carried at a downward angle. In the United States and Europe they are now primarily kept as ornamental and exhibition poultry.
History In the middle 19th century, the Spaniards brought to Havana, Cuba, several varieties of Asiatic game fowl that originated in the Philippine Islands. The Cubans crossed the Asiatic breeds, and subsequently re-crossed them with birds of European origin.
These birds were then selectively bred for wide, extended tails and a curving beak, fierce eyes, and a courageous expression. In this manner the Cubalaya was created, independent from any scientific control. In 1935, the Asociacion Nacional de Avicultura (Cuban National Poultry Association) approved the breed. Their name was chosen in honor of the Republic of Cuba, which had patronized and refined them.
First shown in the U.S. at the International Poultry Exhibition in 1939, the Cubalaya breed is currently recognized by the American Poultry Association (APA) and the American Bantam Association (ABA).
Characteristics:
Cubalayas are characterized by their stately carriage; pea comb; abundant, flowing hackle feathers and long, well-spread tail carried about 20 degrees below the horizontal. They possess a friendly, curious disposition, are very heat tolerant and make excellent foragers when allowed to range. The hens lay small eggs and are good brooders.
The breed has been developed in standard and bantam size. Standard males weigh 4.5 to 5 pounds at maturity, with bantam roosters weighing around 26 ounces. The females are somewhat smaller.
Colors accepted by both the APA and the ABA are limited to black; black breasted red and white, though an array of other colors is found in the U.S.
History In the middle 19th century, the Spaniards brought to Havana, Cuba, several varieties of Asiatic game fowl that originated in the Philippine Islands. The Cubans crossed the Asiatic breeds, and subsequently re-crossed them with birds of European origin.
These birds were then selectively bred for wide, extended tails and a curving beak, fierce eyes, and a courageous expression. In this manner the Cubalaya was created, independent from any scientific control. In 1935, the Asociacion Nacional de Avicultura (Cuban National Poultry Association) approved the breed. Their name was chosen in honor of the Republic of Cuba, which had patronized and refined them.
First shown in the U.S. at the International Poultry Exhibition in 1939, the Cubalaya breed is currently recognized by the American Poultry Association (APA) and the American Bantam Association (ABA).
Characteristics:
Cubalayas are characterized by their stately carriage; pea comb; abundant, flowing hackle feathers and long, well-spread tail carried about 20 degrees below the horizontal. They possess a friendly, curious disposition, are very heat tolerant and make excellent foragers when allowed to range. The hens lay small eggs and are good brooders.
The breed has been developed in standard and bantam size. Standard males weigh 4.5 to 5 pounds at maturity, with bantam roosters weighing around 26 ounces. The females are somewhat smaller.
Colors accepted by both the APA and the ABA are limited to black; black breasted red and white, though an array of other colors is found in the U.S.
Cream or Tinted
Delaware
The Delaware is a breed of chicken originating in the U.S. state of Delaware. It was once of relative importance to the U.S. chicken industry, but today is critically endangered. It is primarily suited to meat production but also lays reasonably well. It has plumage of a unique pattern, and is accepted in to poultry standards for showing.
Characteristics With males weighing 8.5 pounds (3.9 kilos) and hens 6.5 pounds (3 kilos), the Delaware is a medium sized breed. They have rather large, bright red colored single combs and wattles. Delawares appear in a single color type: a white body and breast, with light black barring on the ends of the hackle, wings and tails. It is similar to the Columbian color seen in some breeds, but has barring in the dark portions, rather than uniform black. Also of note is that all feathers have a white quill and shaft, which, combined with yellow skin, makes for a cleaner appearing carcass. Like most standard breeds of chicken, the Delaware has a miniaturized bantam version; however, these are rarely seen.
Delawares are hardy birds that mature quickly. Hens are good layers of large to jumbo brown eggs and will go broody. Unlike the most common commercial meat birds in use today, the Delaware does well in free range operations. In temperament, it is a calm, but not a very friendly bird.
Characteristics With males weighing 8.5 pounds (3.9 kilos) and hens 6.5 pounds (3 kilos), the Delaware is a medium sized breed. They have rather large, bright red colored single combs and wattles. Delawares appear in a single color type: a white body and breast, with light black barring on the ends of the hackle, wings and tails. It is similar to the Columbian color seen in some breeds, but has barring in the dark portions, rather than uniform black. Also of note is that all feathers have a white quill and shaft, which, combined with yellow skin, makes for a cleaner appearing carcass. Like most standard breeds of chicken, the Delaware has a miniaturized bantam version; however, these are rarely seen.
Delawares are hardy birds that mature quickly. Hens are good layers of large to jumbo brown eggs and will go broody. Unlike the most common commercial meat birds in use today, the Delaware does well in free range operations. In temperament, it is a calm, but not a very friendly bird.
Dominique
The Dominique, also known as Dominicker or Pilgrim Fowl, is a breed of chicken (Gallus gallus) originating in the United States during the Colonial. It is considered America's oldest breed of chicken, probably descending from chickens brought to New England from southern England during colonial times. By the 19th century, they were widely popular and were raised in many parts of the country. Dominiques are a dual purpose breed, being valued for their meat as well as for their brown eggs. They weigh 6 to 8 pounds (2.7 to 3.6 kg) at maturity. In earlier times, their feathers were much sought after as stuffing for pillows and mattresses.
Appearance
Dominiques are quite distinctive in appearance. They have a rose comb and a heavy plumage of irregularly striped black-and-white feathers (a pattern called "barring" or sometimes "hawk coloring"). The breed matures quickly, producing eggs at about six months of age.
At first glance, Dominiques and Barred Rocks appear strikingly similar, often leading to confusion when discerning a particular breed. The strongest indicators are the Comb, Plumage, and Colour.
Comb Dominiques possess a rose comb while Barred Rocks possess a single comb. This is generally the most obvious difference.
Plumage Dominiques exhibit staggered barring in their plumage, lending to a somewhat mottled appearance. Barred Rocks exhibit crisp, parallel barring.
Color Dominiques exhibit a softer contrast of "not quite black on not quite white", while Barred Rocks exhibit a high-contrast black-on-white color.
Disposition and behavior:
Dominique hens tend to be calm, personable birds (a desirable trait in an egg production bird). Their calm, steady demeanor makes them successful as show birds or family pets. However, Dominique roosters can sometimes be even more aggressive than the Rhode Island Red and have been known to kill small cats, snakes, and even mink.
The hens tend to be good mothers, brooding and raising chicks with a high rate of success.
The Dominique is hardy and a good forager, traits which are attributed to the harsh conditions in which the breed first developed.
History:
After the Plymouth Rock breed was developed from the Dominiques in the 1870s, the Dominiques' popularity declined, until by 1950 they were so rare as to be considered nearly extinct. During the 1970s, Dominiques were listed in "Critical" status by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, with fewer than 500 breeding birds in North America. However, due to a revival of interest in them and other rare breeds, the Dominiques have made a comeback and are now listed on the "Watch" list, indicating lesser danger of extinction.
Appearance
Dominiques are quite distinctive in appearance. They have a rose comb and a heavy plumage of irregularly striped black-and-white feathers (a pattern called "barring" or sometimes "hawk coloring"). The breed matures quickly, producing eggs at about six months of age.
At first glance, Dominiques and Barred Rocks appear strikingly similar, often leading to confusion when discerning a particular breed. The strongest indicators are the Comb, Plumage, and Colour.
Comb Dominiques possess a rose comb while Barred Rocks possess a single comb. This is generally the most obvious difference.
Plumage Dominiques exhibit staggered barring in their plumage, lending to a somewhat mottled appearance. Barred Rocks exhibit crisp, parallel barring.
Color Dominiques exhibit a softer contrast of "not quite black on not quite white", while Barred Rocks exhibit a high-contrast black-on-white color.
Disposition and behavior:
Dominique hens tend to be calm, personable birds (a desirable trait in an egg production bird). Their calm, steady demeanor makes them successful as show birds or family pets. However, Dominique roosters can sometimes be even more aggressive than the Rhode Island Red and have been known to kill small cats, snakes, and even mink.
The hens tend to be good mothers, brooding and raising chicks with a high rate of success.
The Dominique is hardy and a good forager, traits which are attributed to the harsh conditions in which the breed first developed.
History:
After the Plymouth Rock breed was developed from the Dominiques in the 1870s, the Dominiques' popularity declined, until by 1950 they were so rare as to be considered nearly extinct. During the 1970s, Dominiques were listed in "Critical" status by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, with fewer than 500 breeding birds in North America. However, due to a revival of interest in them and other rare breeds, the Dominiques have made a comeback and are now listed on the "Watch" list, indicating lesser danger of extinction.
Dorking
The Dorking is a breed of chicken that is believed to have originated in Italy during the period of the Roman Empire and was introduced in Britain at the time of the Roman conquest making it one of the oldest English breeds.
History One of the earliest known mentions of the Dorking was by the Roman agricultural writer Columella during the reign of Julius Caesar. In his text, Rei rusticae libri, he described the breed as, "square-framed, large and broad-breasted, with big heads and small upright combs...the purest breed being five-clawed". Pliny also described a similar bird with an odd number of toes in his Naturalis Historia. Although Caesar noted that poultry was already raised in Britain prior to his invasions in 55–54 BC, the Red Dorking is believed to have been introduced in Great Britain by the Romans at an early date where much of its development continued to take place.
They appeared in the first British poultry show in 1845, together with the Sussex breed, which is believed to be derived from the Dorking. The birds are named after the market town of Dorking in Surrey which in the nineteenth century became one of the main centres of production.
They were admitted in to the American Poultry Association's Standard of Perfection in 1874.
Characteristics:
The Dorking has a rectangular body with very short, five-toed legs. As with all single comb poultry, the comb points may require protection in extremely cold weather. Dorkings are also well known for their versatility as a breed for both egg and meat production. It is one of the few breeds with red earlobes that produces a white-shelled egg. The skin colour beneath the feathers is white. The standard weight is 9 pounds for a cock, 8 pounds for a cockerel, 7 pounds for a hen, and 6 pounds for a pullet. Furthermore, the breed is very docile. The bird has five recognized varieties: White, Silver-grey, Red, Dark and Cuckoo
History One of the earliest known mentions of the Dorking was by the Roman agricultural writer Columella during the reign of Julius Caesar. In his text, Rei rusticae libri, he described the breed as, "square-framed, large and broad-breasted, with big heads and small upright combs...the purest breed being five-clawed". Pliny also described a similar bird with an odd number of toes in his Naturalis Historia. Although Caesar noted that poultry was already raised in Britain prior to his invasions in 55–54 BC, the Red Dorking is believed to have been introduced in Great Britain by the Romans at an early date where much of its development continued to take place.
They appeared in the first British poultry show in 1845, together with the Sussex breed, which is believed to be derived from the Dorking. The birds are named after the market town of Dorking in Surrey which in the nineteenth century became one of the main centres of production.
They were admitted in to the American Poultry Association's Standard of Perfection in 1874.
Characteristics:
The Dorking has a rectangular body with very short, five-toed legs. As with all single comb poultry, the comb points may require protection in extremely cold weather. Dorkings are also well known for their versatility as a breed for both egg and meat production. It is one of the few breeds with red earlobes that produces a white-shelled egg. The skin colour beneath the feathers is white. The standard weight is 9 pounds for a cock, 8 pounds for a cockerel, 7 pounds for a hen, and 6 pounds for a pullet. Furthermore, the breed is very docile. The bird has five recognized varieties: White, Silver-grey, Red, Dark and Cuckoo
Easter Egger
An Easter Egger is any chicken that possesses the "blue egg" gene, but doesn't fully meet any breed description as defined in the American Poultry Association (APA) and/or the American Bantam Association (ABA) standards. The name derives from the resemblance of their colorful eggs to Easter eggs. Araucana, Ameraucana, and Easter Eggers are descended from the same founder stock that spread around the world from Chile and the Falklands. Three main founder breeds were involved in the creation of what we today call Araucanas, Ameraucanas, British tailed Araucanas, and the Easter Eggers. These would be the Quechua, the Quetro, and the Colloncas. In about 1976 some Chilean Araucanas were imported to the United States and are still here today unchanged. They appear except for color to be Ameraucanas or British tailed Araucanas. Some Easter Eggers breed true to type and color over fifty percent of the time. Molecular data retrieved from specimens of known provenance in the Falklands, United Kingdom, Shetland Isles, and Canada proved to be closely related. Consequently, the Ameraucana is probably closer genetically to the South American founders than the North American Araucana. None of these, Araucana, Ameraucana, or British tailed Araucanas were actually a breed in South America.
Often confused with the rare, pure breeds of Araucana and the not so rare Ameraucana, the majority of chickens in laying flocks that lay blue or green eggs are Easter Eggers. Even if a bird meets an APA or ABA Standard of Perfection breed description, but doesn't meet a variety description, or breed true at least fifty percent of the time, it is technically considered an Easter Egger. These chickens commonly exhibit muffs and beards similar to the Ameraucana. Easter Eggers come in many colors and most are duckwing at the E locus.
Colors: http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGA/Arau/BRKEaster.html
Often confused with the rare, pure breeds of Araucana and the not so rare Ameraucana, the majority of chickens in laying flocks that lay blue or green eggs are Easter Eggers. Even if a bird meets an APA or ABA Standard of Perfection breed description, but doesn't meet a variety description, or breed true at least fifty percent of the time, it is technically considered an Easter Egger. These chickens commonly exhibit muffs and beards similar to the Ameraucana. Easter Eggers come in many colors and most are duckwing at the E locus.
Colors: http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGA/Arau/BRKEaster.html
Faverolles
The Faverolles is a French breed of chicken. The breed was developed in the 1860s in north-central France, in the vicinity of the villages of Houdan and Faverolles. The breed was given the name of the latter village and, therefore, the singular is also Faverolles, not Faverolle.
Faverolles were originally bred in France as a utility fowl, used for both eggs and meat but are now primarily raised for exhibition.
When Faverolles reached the UK in 1886, the breed was further altered to meet exhibition standards - British breeders developed a type of Faverolles which possessed longer, higher raised tail feathers than their German and French Cousins.
Characteristics:
Faverolles are classified as a heavy breed and have a beard, muffs, feathered feet and five toes per foot, rather than the usual four. Faverolles are well adapted both to confinement or free range. When battery cages began to be used at the very beginning of the twentieth century, Faverolles tolerated the close confinement better than the Houdan breed. Thus, the Faverolles was the primary breed which produced eggs for the Paris market during the early part of the century. Although primarily kept today as an ornamental and exhibition breed, it remains an excellent layer, as well as a fine meat chicken. The most common color is Salmon. The plumage of salmon females is mainly brown and creamy white. The males are darker, with black, brown, and straw-colored feathers. Other varieties, including white, black, ermine, cuckoo, splash and blue also exist. Hens are good winter layers of medium-sized, light brown to pinkish eggs. Some cocks are the quietest of all breeds and Faverolles are also known for their extreme docility. As a result, they tend to get bullied in a mixed flock for being so gentle and friendly. They thrive in groups with other Faverolles, or perhaps, with other docile breeds such as the Sussex. Because of their gentleness Faverolles have become a popular breed of chicken to keep as a pet, especially for children. They are also enjoying increasing popularity with people who keep small home flocks, who favor dual purpose breeds which are well suited to both egg production and use as meat. Faverolles are considered to be very good layers, a well-cared for Faverolles hen will lay approximately four eggs per week.
The British Poultry Standards specify that adult cocks (roosters) should weigh between nine and eleven pounds and hens should weigh between seven and a half pounds and nine and a half pounds.The Australian and United States standards call for a slightly smaller bird, but still a relatively large chicken. The Australian standard specifies that cocks weight from eight to ten pounds, hens six and a half to eight and a half pounds. The American Poultry Association standard is eight pounds for cocks, six pounds for hens.
More info and color pic's
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGD/Favs/BRKFaverolles.html
Faverolles were originally bred in France as a utility fowl, used for both eggs and meat but are now primarily raised for exhibition.
When Faverolles reached the UK in 1886, the breed was further altered to meet exhibition standards - British breeders developed a type of Faverolles which possessed longer, higher raised tail feathers than their German and French Cousins.
Characteristics:
Faverolles are classified as a heavy breed and have a beard, muffs, feathered feet and five toes per foot, rather than the usual four. Faverolles are well adapted both to confinement or free range. When battery cages began to be used at the very beginning of the twentieth century, Faverolles tolerated the close confinement better than the Houdan breed. Thus, the Faverolles was the primary breed which produced eggs for the Paris market during the early part of the century. Although primarily kept today as an ornamental and exhibition breed, it remains an excellent layer, as well as a fine meat chicken. The most common color is Salmon. The plumage of salmon females is mainly brown and creamy white. The males are darker, with black, brown, and straw-colored feathers. Other varieties, including white, black, ermine, cuckoo, splash and blue also exist. Hens are good winter layers of medium-sized, light brown to pinkish eggs. Some cocks are the quietest of all breeds and Faverolles are also known for their extreme docility. As a result, they tend to get bullied in a mixed flock for being so gentle and friendly. They thrive in groups with other Faverolles, or perhaps, with other docile breeds such as the Sussex. Because of their gentleness Faverolles have become a popular breed of chicken to keep as a pet, especially for children. They are also enjoying increasing popularity with people who keep small home flocks, who favor dual purpose breeds which are well suited to both egg production and use as meat. Faverolles are considered to be very good layers, a well-cared for Faverolles hen will lay approximately four eggs per week.
The British Poultry Standards specify that adult cocks (roosters) should weigh between nine and eleven pounds and hens should weigh between seven and a half pounds and nine and a half pounds.The Australian and United States standards call for a slightly smaller bird, but still a relatively large chicken. The Australian standard specifies that cocks weight from eight to ten pounds, hens six and a half to eight and a half pounds. The American Poultry Association standard is eight pounds for cocks, six pounds for hens.
More info and color pic's
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGD/Favs/BRKFaverolles.html
Egyptian Fayoumi
The Fayoumi is a breed of chicken originating in Egypt. Fayoumis are a very old breed in their native region, and are named for the Faiyum Governorate southwest of Cairo and west of the Nile. They have been present in the West since at least the 1940s, when they were imported from Egypt by an Iowa State University Dean of Agriculture. However, they are not officially recognized for exhibition by the American Poultry Association, and are not included in the Standard of Perfection.
With their upright tails and forward jutting breast and neck, they are sometimes likened to a roadrunners. They are a light-weight fowl, with roosters weighing in around 2 kilos (4.5 pounds) and hens 1.6 kilos (3.5 pounds). They appear only in a single variety. In roosters, the plumage is silver-white on the head, neck, back and saddle, with the rest in a black and white barring. Hens have heads and necks in the silver-white hue, with the rest barred. Fayoumis have a single comb, earlobes, and wattles are red and moderately large, with a white spot in the earlobes. They have dark horn colored beaks, and slate blue skin. Their appearance is remarkably similar to the Silver variety of the Campine breed of Belgium, and the Campine may be descended from a Fayoumi-like chicken brought north in Europe by the Romans.
Fayoumis are a hardy breed, and particularly well suited to hot climates. The breed, through poultry genetics research and anecdotal reports, is thought to be especially resistant to viral and bacterial infections. They are also very good foragers, and if left to their own devices on a free range basis they can fend for themselves in a nearly feral manner. Fayoumi hens are good layers of small, off-white eggs. They are not given to broodiness as pullets, but can be when they reach two or three years of age. The breed is fast to mature, with hens laying by four and half months, and cockerels crowing at five or six weeks.
With their upright tails and forward jutting breast and neck, they are sometimes likened to a roadrunners. They are a light-weight fowl, with roosters weighing in around 2 kilos (4.5 pounds) and hens 1.6 kilos (3.5 pounds). They appear only in a single variety. In roosters, the plumage is silver-white on the head, neck, back and saddle, with the rest in a black and white barring. Hens have heads and necks in the silver-white hue, with the rest barred. Fayoumis have a single comb, earlobes, and wattles are red and moderately large, with a white spot in the earlobes. They have dark horn colored beaks, and slate blue skin. Their appearance is remarkably similar to the Silver variety of the Campine breed of Belgium, and the Campine may be descended from a Fayoumi-like chicken brought north in Europe by the Romans.
Fayoumis are a hardy breed, and particularly well suited to hot climates. The breed, through poultry genetics research and anecdotal reports, is thought to be especially resistant to viral and bacterial infections. They are also very good foragers, and if left to their own devices on a free range basis they can fend for themselves in a nearly feral manner. Fayoumi hens are good layers of small, off-white eggs. They are not given to broodiness as pullets, but can be when they reach two or three years of age. The breed is fast to mature, with hens laying by four and half months, and cockerels crowing at five or six weeks.
Hamburg
The Hamburg or Hamburgh in Britain, is a breed of chicken developed in Germany and Holland prior to 1700. It is comparatively rare, with fewer than 1000 registered in North America each year.
Appearance and behavior:
It is a small breed—cocks tend to weigh only 5 pounds and hens about 4 lb (2.25 and 1.75 kg) with slender legs and a neat rose comb. The bird comes in more than ten different varieties, including: Silver Spangled, Golden Spangled, Golden Penciled, Citrone Penciled, Silver Penciled, White, Black, and more recently-Citron Spangled in bantam form. Penciled breeds are smallest and self-coloured birds are largest. There are also Bantam Hamburgs, which weigh about 1.5 pounds. Hamburgs are hardy, active birds who are capable of flight and are often jumpy around humans.
Eggs
Hamburgs mature quickly and are considered good egg producers. Their eggs are rather small with glossy, white shells.
Famous Hamburgs Perhaps the most famous devotee of the Hamburg chicken was L. Frank Baum, author of the Oz books. He began a monthly trade journal, Hamburgs, in 1880 and in 1886, published his first and only book on the subject, The Book of the Hamburgs: A Brief Treatise upon the Mating, Rearing, and Management of the Different Varieties of Hamburgs.
In Baum's third Oz book, Ozma of Oz, he introduces Dorothy Gale's chicken, Billina. He must have drawn on his experience in breeding Hamburgs when creating her character, as she is appropriately spirited and active.
Colors: White, Black, Silver Spangled, Silver Penciled, Golden Spangled, Golden Penciled
Appearance and behavior:
It is a small breed—cocks tend to weigh only 5 pounds and hens about 4 lb (2.25 and 1.75 kg) with slender legs and a neat rose comb. The bird comes in more than ten different varieties, including: Silver Spangled, Golden Spangled, Golden Penciled, Citrone Penciled, Silver Penciled, White, Black, and more recently-Citron Spangled in bantam form. Penciled breeds are smallest and self-coloured birds are largest. There are also Bantam Hamburgs, which weigh about 1.5 pounds. Hamburgs are hardy, active birds who are capable of flight and are often jumpy around humans.
Eggs
Hamburgs mature quickly and are considered good egg producers. Their eggs are rather small with glossy, white shells.
Famous Hamburgs Perhaps the most famous devotee of the Hamburg chicken was L. Frank Baum, author of the Oz books. He began a monthly trade journal, Hamburgs, in 1880 and in 1886, published his first and only book on the subject, The Book of the Hamburgs: A Brief Treatise upon the Mating, Rearing, and Management of the Different Varieties of Hamburgs.
In Baum's third Oz book, Ozma of Oz, he introduces Dorothy Gale's chicken, Billina. He must have drawn on his experience in breeding Hamburgs when creating her character, as she is appropriately spirited and active.
Colors: White, Black, Silver Spangled, Silver Penciled, Golden Spangled, Golden Penciled
Holland
Adaptable to any type of climate, the Holland Chicken is a rare breed known for its large, white eggs. It makes an excellent layer or broiler and enjoys foraging for a large portion of its diet. Changing American tastes led to the creation of this attractive fowl, and changing tastes have also led to its near-extinction. Raising Holland Chickens is not only enjoyable and rewarding, but it will also help conserve one of the rarest living breeds of American chicken.
Origins
It all started with the desire for a white egg. In the 1930s, most dual-purpose American chickens produced brown eggs. The American public didn’t want to buy brown eggs, however. They believed that white eggs had a far more delicate taste and that is what the consumer wanted. Rutgers University Breeding Farm in New Jersey set out to produce dual-purpose hens that would lay much-sought-after white eggs. The resulting bird was the Holland Chicken. It has been around since 1934 but is nearly extinct today.
Accepted into the American Poultry Association in 1949, the Holland Chicken started with chickens imported from Holland being crossed with other breeds. A cross between Holland Chickens and White Leghorns, Lamonas, New Hampshires, and Rhode Island Reds created the white Holland. Barred Hollands were produced by crossing the Holland Chicken with the White Leghorn, Brown Leghorn, Australorps, and Barred Plymouth Rocks. The white Holland Chicken may be extinct today. The barred Holland Chicken still exists but is increasingly hard to find.
Great Dual-Purpose Bird
The Holland Chicken is renowned for its dual purposes. Not only is it an excellent broiler, but it also lays great eggs.
Characteristics
A medium-to-large sized chicken, Holland Chicken roosters grow to 8 ½ lbs and hens to 6 ½ lbs. They are either white or barred and the hens have darker plumage than the roosters. Red whattles hang from their cheeks. Holland Chickens are excellent chickens for either a small backyard coop or a farm. They’re perfectly suited for free range conditions considering they love foraging for their food. Holland Chickens thrive in both warm and cool environments, although their six-point red comb may potentially suffer from frostbite if temperatures drop too low. This can be remedied by providing insulated housing during the colder months and by coating the comb with petroleum jelly.
As far as temperament goes, the Holland Chicken is a very mild mannered bird. They are calm and quiet, able to get along with each other when confined and able to be kept in an urban setting because of their docile and quiet nature.
A Bird on the Verge of Extinction
The Holland Chicken is becoming increasingly rare. So rare, in fact, that most online hatcheries do not carry the breed at all. Despite the fact that it is an excellent, docile chicken, the Holland Chicken has never enjoyed overwhelming popularity.
Holland Chickens are the idea chicken for a small farm because they are lovely producers of both meat and eggs. Hens are broody and can raise their own chicks. While they can be kept in confinement, their urge to forage makes them excellent free range chickens. They develop slowly, which is one reason why the breed is unattractive to commercial farmers. If you have room for your chicken to forage, nest, and raise their brood, the Holland Chicken is an excellent option.
Origins
It all started with the desire for a white egg. In the 1930s, most dual-purpose American chickens produced brown eggs. The American public didn’t want to buy brown eggs, however. They believed that white eggs had a far more delicate taste and that is what the consumer wanted. Rutgers University Breeding Farm in New Jersey set out to produce dual-purpose hens that would lay much-sought-after white eggs. The resulting bird was the Holland Chicken. It has been around since 1934 but is nearly extinct today.
Accepted into the American Poultry Association in 1949, the Holland Chicken started with chickens imported from Holland being crossed with other breeds. A cross between Holland Chickens and White Leghorns, Lamonas, New Hampshires, and Rhode Island Reds created the white Holland. Barred Hollands were produced by crossing the Holland Chicken with the White Leghorn, Brown Leghorn, Australorps, and Barred Plymouth Rocks. The white Holland Chicken may be extinct today. The barred Holland Chicken still exists but is increasingly hard to find.
Great Dual-Purpose Bird
The Holland Chicken is renowned for its dual purposes. Not only is it an excellent broiler, but it also lays great eggs.
Characteristics
A medium-to-large sized chicken, Holland Chicken roosters grow to 8 ½ lbs and hens to 6 ½ lbs. They are either white or barred and the hens have darker plumage than the roosters. Red whattles hang from their cheeks. Holland Chickens are excellent chickens for either a small backyard coop or a farm. They’re perfectly suited for free range conditions considering they love foraging for their food. Holland Chickens thrive in both warm and cool environments, although their six-point red comb may potentially suffer from frostbite if temperatures drop too low. This can be remedied by providing insulated housing during the colder months and by coating the comb with petroleum jelly.
As far as temperament goes, the Holland Chicken is a very mild mannered bird. They are calm and quiet, able to get along with each other when confined and able to be kept in an urban setting because of their docile and quiet nature.
A Bird on the Verge of Extinction
The Holland Chicken is becoming increasingly rare. So rare, in fact, that most online hatcheries do not carry the breed at all. Despite the fact that it is an excellent, docile chicken, the Holland Chicken has never enjoyed overwhelming popularity.
Holland Chickens are the idea chicken for a small farm because they are lovely producers of both meat and eggs. Hens are broody and can raise their own chicks. While they can be kept in confinement, their urge to forage makes them excellent free range chickens. They develop slowly, which is one reason why the breed is unattractive to commercial farmers. If you have room for your chicken to forage, nest, and raise their brood, the Holland Chicken is an excellent option.
White Cream Colored (the egg on the top is the holland and the rest is store eggs)
Houdan
The Houdan is a breed of chicken native to France. Named after the city of Houdan, near Paris, it is an old breed.
Overview It was first exported to England in 1850, and to North America in 1865, where it appeared in the first edition of the American Standard of Perfection in 1874. With an attractive appearance, the Houdan combines a number of distinctive features, giving rise to speculation about the breeds that contributed to its development. The Crèvecœur or perhaps the Polish is suspected to have given the Houdan its crest, and either the Dorking or the native five-toed fowl of France is thought have to resulted in the Houdan's five toes (most chickens have only four). As the actual origins of the Houdan predate modern agricultural writing, little can be said with certainty. Houdans have small earlobes and wattles hidden by the crest and feather bearding. Their combs are V–shaped in the American standard, and butterfly-shaped in the British, Australian and French standards.
In terms of plumage, the Houdan comes in two common color varieties: White and Mottled (black with white spotting). The white color was a later development. Originally a dual–purpose fowl kept for both eggs and meat, and for part of the 1800s one of France's main meat breeds, the Houdan today is primarily a rare show bird. However, with a fairly quick rate of maturation and the ability to lay a respectable number of white eggs, it is still occasionally kept in backyard flocks. Classified as a light breed, males are ideally supposed to reach 8 lb. (3.6 kg), and females 6.5 lb. (3 kg). It also comes as a bantam.
Have an egg picture
We could really use it :)
Overview It was first exported to England in 1850, and to North America in 1865, where it appeared in the first edition of the American Standard of Perfection in 1874. With an attractive appearance, the Houdan combines a number of distinctive features, giving rise to speculation about the breeds that contributed to its development. The Crèvecœur or perhaps the Polish is suspected to have given the Houdan its crest, and either the Dorking or the native five-toed fowl of France is thought have to resulted in the Houdan's five toes (most chickens have only four). As the actual origins of the Houdan predate modern agricultural writing, little can be said with certainty. Houdans have small earlobes and wattles hidden by the crest and feather bearding. Their combs are V–shaped in the American standard, and butterfly-shaped in the British, Australian and French standards.
In terms of plumage, the Houdan comes in two common color varieties: White and Mottled (black with white spotting). The white color was a later development. Originally a dual–purpose fowl kept for both eggs and meat, and for part of the 1800s one of France's main meat breeds, the Houdan today is primarily a rare show bird. However, with a fairly quick rate of maturation and the ability to lay a respectable number of white eggs, it is still occasionally kept in backyard flocks. Classified as a light breed, males are ideally supposed to reach 8 lb. (3.6 kg), and females 6.5 lb. (3 kg). It also comes as a bantam.
Have an egg picture
We could really use it :)
Japanese Bantam
The Japanese Bantam, also known in many parts of the world as Chabo, is a breed of chicken originating in Japan. They are a true bantam breed, with large upright tails that often reach over the chicken's head. The wings angle down and to the back along the sides.
History The Chabo has graced the gardens of the Japanese aristocracy for well over 350 years. Historical evidence suggests that the Japanese Bantam originated in Southeast Asia, where it is still raised today. They enjoy a high degree of popularity in Malaysia, and are very common in Java, which is now part of Indonesia.
Japanese Bantams began to appear in Japanese art around the year 1635, right about the time Japan closed its shores to outside trade. It also appears in Dutch art of the same era. This suggests that Dutch spice traders probably carried the Chabo as gifts to the Japanese from the Asian spice ports, such as Hoi An (Vietnam) and likely from Java, which part of Dutch colonial area on that time. The very word "chabo" originates in Java as chabol (Cebol), where it means "dwarf" and applies both to humans, and to the short-legged Chabo chicken. In Japan, the word would drop the "L," as no speaker of Japanese would be inclined to pronounce it.
Characteristics:
They have friendly personalities, and will ride on shoulders and allow themselves to be petted and held by someone. They have also been known to be good foragers.
Variations:
A young Buff Japanese Bantam cockerel, which has not yet developed the breed's characteristic large tail and comb There are a large variety of form of Japanese Bantams, Standardised colors including black-tailed-white, white, buff, black-bailed-buff, gray, blue, darred, black breasted red, black as well as Frizzle feathered and Silkie-feathered variations.
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGD/Japs/BRKJap.html
These chickens have been known to live for up to 13 years with proper care.
Genetics:
One unusual characteristic of Japanese bantams is extremely short legs. The trait is mainly caused by a single lethal gene, and all Japanese bantams are heterozygous. When the bantams are bred, 25% of the embryos receive two mutant alleles and die before hatching. 50% of the embryos receive one mutant allele and one wild type allele and are short-legged. The remaining 25% receive two wild type alleles and have legs that are longer than what most breeders want. When the long-legged birds are bred together, they never produce offspring with short legs
History The Chabo has graced the gardens of the Japanese aristocracy for well over 350 years. Historical evidence suggests that the Japanese Bantam originated in Southeast Asia, where it is still raised today. They enjoy a high degree of popularity in Malaysia, and are very common in Java, which is now part of Indonesia.
Japanese Bantams began to appear in Japanese art around the year 1635, right about the time Japan closed its shores to outside trade. It also appears in Dutch art of the same era. This suggests that Dutch spice traders probably carried the Chabo as gifts to the Japanese from the Asian spice ports, such as Hoi An (Vietnam) and likely from Java, which part of Dutch colonial area on that time. The very word "chabo" originates in Java as chabol (Cebol), where it means "dwarf" and applies both to humans, and to the short-legged Chabo chicken. In Japan, the word would drop the "L," as no speaker of Japanese would be inclined to pronounce it.
Characteristics:
They have friendly personalities, and will ride on shoulders and allow themselves to be petted and held by someone. They have also been known to be good foragers.
Variations:
A young Buff Japanese Bantam cockerel, which has not yet developed the breed's characteristic large tail and comb There are a large variety of form of Japanese Bantams, Standardised colors including black-tailed-white, white, buff, black-bailed-buff, gray, blue, darred, black breasted red, black as well as Frizzle feathered and Silkie-feathered variations.
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGD/Japs/BRKJap.html
These chickens have been known to live for up to 13 years with proper care.
Genetics:
One unusual characteristic of Japanese bantams is extremely short legs. The trait is mainly caused by a single lethal gene, and all Japanese bantams are heterozygous. When the bantams are bred, 25% of the embryos receive two mutant alleles and die before hatching. 50% of the embryos receive one mutant allele and one wild type allele and are short-legged. The remaining 25% receive two wild type alleles and have legs that are longer than what most breeders want. When the long-legged birds are bred together, they never produce offspring with short legs
Java
The Java is a breed of chicken originating in the United States. Despite the breed's name, which comes from the island of Java, it was developed in the U.S. from chickens of unknown Asian extraction. It is one of the oldest American chickens, forming the basis for many other breeds, but is critically endangered today. Javas are large birds with a sturdy appearance. They are hardy, and are well-suited for both meat and egg production, especially by small-scale farms, homesteads, and backyard keepers.
Characteristics Javas are heavy chickens, with roosters weighing around 9.5 pounds (4.3 kilos) and hens 6.5 to 7.5 pounds (2.9 to 3.4 kilos). They have a very long, broad back and a deep breast, which makes for a solid, rectangular build. They have small earlobes and medium size combs and wattles, all of which are red in color. Javas have singe combs, but they have a shape which suggests the influence of a pea-combed breed in their development.
Javas appear in three color variations today: Black, Mottled, and White. The Black has black shanks and beaks, though some yellow may appear in the legs. The plumage is a uniform black hue that has a dark green sheen in the light. The Mottled and White have mostly yellow skin, with horn colored beaks. The plumage of the Mottled is a black base with white markings on the tips of feathers, which imparts a spotted appearance.
Javas are valued for their dual-purpose characteristics. Though they are slow-growing compared to the broilers used by the commercial chicken industry today, they produce a good carcass. Hens lay a respectable amount of large, brown eggs and will go broody. Javas are particularly known as good foragers, needing less supplementary feed than many breeds when allowed to free range. Like many large breeds, they are known to be docile in temperament, and hardy in inclement weather. In general, Javas are particularly suitable for keepers of smaller flocks who require a good dual-purpose chicken
Characteristics Javas are heavy chickens, with roosters weighing around 9.5 pounds (4.3 kilos) and hens 6.5 to 7.5 pounds (2.9 to 3.4 kilos). They have a very long, broad back and a deep breast, which makes for a solid, rectangular build. They have small earlobes and medium size combs and wattles, all of which are red in color. Javas have singe combs, but they have a shape which suggests the influence of a pea-combed breed in their development.
Javas appear in three color variations today: Black, Mottled, and White. The Black has black shanks and beaks, though some yellow may appear in the legs. The plumage is a uniform black hue that has a dark green sheen in the light. The Mottled and White have mostly yellow skin, with horn colored beaks. The plumage of the Mottled is a black base with white markings on the tips of feathers, which imparts a spotted appearance.
Javas are valued for their dual-purpose characteristics. Though they are slow-growing compared to the broilers used by the commercial chicken industry today, they produce a good carcass. Hens lay a respectable amount of large, brown eggs and will go broody. Javas are particularly known as good foragers, needing less supplementary feed than many breeds when allowed to free range. Like many large breeds, they are known to be docile in temperament, and hardy in inclement weather. In general, Javas are particularly suitable for keepers of smaller flocks who require a good dual-purpose chicken
Jersey Giant
The Jersey Giant is a breed of chicken which originated in the United States in the late 19th century. They were created by John and Thomas Black. The breed was created with the intent to replace the turkey as the primary meat poultry breed at that time. Named for their state of origin (New Jersey) and their large size, Jersey Giants are the largest purebred chicken breed.breed. Cocks average 13 lbs. and hens 11 lbs.
The Black Jersey Giant was pronounced a breed in 1922 by the American Standard of Perfection. They were produced by crossing Black Javas, Black Langshans, and Dark Brahmas. White Jersey Giants arrived many years later in the year 1947. Black Jersey Giants average a pound heavier than White Jersey Giants. For a time, they were raised as capons and as broilers by the meat industry. They grow much slower than today's more common meat birds, and are thus not widely used in the industry.
In Europe the breed fell out of favour to such an extent that they nearly became extinct, however in the mid 1980's a breeder in the UK, Sam Hay of Shropshire located the last surviving trio and decided to save them. He built up his stock but they were suffering the ill effects of inbreeding. He was very fortunate to find that Dutch chicken breeder Jaap Beekman had the last few Jersey Giants in The Netherlands. The two were able to share stock and reintroduce the breed to both countries. Within a few years Jersey Giants were regular winners at rare breed poultry shows.
Jersey Giants went extinct in Australia in the 1950s, only a few decades after they were introduced to that country.
Jersey Giants lay extra large brown to dark brown eggs, and lay fairly well for being a large breed. There is a newer color variation known as the Blue Jersey Giant. Jersey Giants are extremely friendly and are good with pets and people. The cocks are rarely aggressive.
Colors: Black and White. Unofficial: Blue, Splash
The Black Jersey Giant was pronounced a breed in 1922 by the American Standard of Perfection. They were produced by crossing Black Javas, Black Langshans, and Dark Brahmas. White Jersey Giants arrived many years later in the year 1947. Black Jersey Giants average a pound heavier than White Jersey Giants. For a time, they were raised as capons and as broilers by the meat industry. They grow much slower than today's more common meat birds, and are thus not widely used in the industry.
In Europe the breed fell out of favour to such an extent that they nearly became extinct, however in the mid 1980's a breeder in the UK, Sam Hay of Shropshire located the last surviving trio and decided to save them. He built up his stock but they were suffering the ill effects of inbreeding. He was very fortunate to find that Dutch chicken breeder Jaap Beekman had the last few Jersey Giants in The Netherlands. The two were able to share stock and reintroduce the breed to both countries. Within a few years Jersey Giants were regular winners at rare breed poultry shows.
Jersey Giants went extinct in Australia in the 1950s, only a few decades after they were introduced to that country.
Jersey Giants lay extra large brown to dark brown eggs, and lay fairly well for being a large breed. There is a newer color variation known as the Blue Jersey Giant. Jersey Giants are extremely friendly and are good with pets and people. The cocks are rarely aggressive.
Colors: Black and White. Unofficial: Blue, Splash
La Fleche
La Flèche is a very rare breed of chicken originating in France in the area of Le Mans, where this chicken is still famous for its meat.
Description
Their main distinguishing feature is their unusual V-shaped comb. They are of medium size, with males usually weighing between 8 and 10 lb (3.6 to 4.5 kg) and females weighing between 6 and 8 lb (2.7 to 3.6 kg). They have white eggs. They are usually used as ornamental birds, but still are appreciated in high-level restaurants in France for its fine meat. http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGK/LaFleche/BRKLaFle.html
Description
Their main distinguishing feature is their unusual V-shaped comb. They are of medium size, with males usually weighing between 8 and 10 lb (3.6 to 4.5 kg) and females weighing between 6 and 8 lb (2.7 to 3.6 kg). They have white eggs. They are usually used as ornamental birds, but still are appreciated in high-level restaurants in France for its fine meat. http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGK/LaFleche/BRKLaFle.html
Lakenvelder
History
The Lakenvelder is thought to originate from the Westfalen area of Germany as long ago as the 1830s. The name, however, is Dutch and is believed to mean a shadow on a sheet and describes their striking black and white plumage. There is also a bantam version and a blue variety which was developed in the Netherlands and brought to the UK. They have a medium sized single comb, white almond shaped ear lobes and an orange-red eye. The legs are featherless and slate blue and they have four toes. They are a slightly built breed with an elongated body and a tail which is carried high. They make a very good utility bird and have white skin and a particularly plump breast. They are seen quite rarely in the United States but always attract attention.
Behaviour
They are fairly small birds and are good layers, producing white shelled or occasionally tinted eggs. The hens are not good sitters and tend to be rather flighty and wild so need to be contained carefully with suitable fencing as they can manage a 2½ metre flight. Chicks mature quickly and grow vigorously but they don't gain their characteristic markings until they have been through their third moult. They are confident, robust birds which tend to avoid human contact and are able to adapt to being kept in confined spaces but prefer to be allowed the freedom to free range. Males weigh around 5-6 lbs while the females are from 3-4½ lbs.
Varieties
The Lakenvelder is generally seen in the black and white form known as Belted but there is also a blue variety which is described as Blue Marked.
Langshan
The Croad Langshan is an old, heavy, soft-feathered chicken breed which probably originated in China.
Origin:
The first recorded imports came from the Langshan ('Wolf Mountain') District (called after a small hill in the outskirts of Nantong, just north of the lower reaches of the Yangtse-Kiang River in China) in 1872 and were undertaken by Major F.T. Croad who imported the breed into Britain. Major Croad’s niece, Miss A. C. Croad, has been credited with establishing the breed in Britain. The Croad Langshan Club was formed in Britain in 1904. The name ‘Croad’ distinguishes the original type of Langshan, imported by Major Croad, which were a utility fowl of great merit, from the tall Modern Langshans which have been developed for the show pen. As with many other breeds, numbers declined after the Second World War and eventually the breed was left without a breed club in the UK. It was rescued by the Rare Poultry Society until in 1979 the club was reformed.
Langshans were also imported to North America in 1878 and admitted to the standard in 1883. White Langshans were admitted to the standard ten years later in 1893. There are three varieties of Langshans that have been accepted to the US standard - Black, White, and Blue. The latter was not accepted to the standard until 1987.
In 1879 the breed was brought to Germany. The German Langshans were derived from these and soon replaced them. After the Second World War Croad Langshans were reintroduced to Germany from the USA.
The original Croad Langshans were black with a brilliant green sheen and that is still the main colour kept today.
Characteristics:
The Croad Langshan is large in body, has a deep and long breast which is carried well forward; the back is rather long and sloping with the tail rising sharply from the back, giving the characteristic 'U' shape. The head is small compared to the body size, the beak is light to dark horn in colour; the comb is medium-sized, single and carried upright in both sexes. The shanks and outer toes are slightly feathered. In the original birds the males topped 10 lb/4.5 kg; today cocks weigh 9.5 lbs/3.75-4.25 kg and hens 7.5 lbs/3-3.5 kg. Hatching eggs should weigh at least 58g.
In the early 20th century Croad Langshans became a popular utility breed, doing well in laying trials. The hens lay 140-150 eggs a year and are good winter layers; the eggs are dark brown with a plum-coloured bloom. The hens are excellent sitters and mothers. Croad Langshans are easily tamed and adapt well to both confinement and free range. They do well in sheltered conditions and dry soils but are not well suited to very exposed conditions. Under suitable conditions they thrive well and are very productive. Their flesh is fine in texture and of excellent quality.
Colors: White, Black, Blue
Weight: 6-9 pounds
Origin:
The first recorded imports came from the Langshan ('Wolf Mountain') District (called after a small hill in the outskirts of Nantong, just north of the lower reaches of the Yangtse-Kiang River in China) in 1872 and were undertaken by Major F.T. Croad who imported the breed into Britain. Major Croad’s niece, Miss A. C. Croad, has been credited with establishing the breed in Britain. The Croad Langshan Club was formed in Britain in 1904. The name ‘Croad’ distinguishes the original type of Langshan, imported by Major Croad, which were a utility fowl of great merit, from the tall Modern Langshans which have been developed for the show pen. As with many other breeds, numbers declined after the Second World War and eventually the breed was left without a breed club in the UK. It was rescued by the Rare Poultry Society until in 1979 the club was reformed.
Langshans were also imported to North America in 1878 and admitted to the standard in 1883. White Langshans were admitted to the standard ten years later in 1893. There are three varieties of Langshans that have been accepted to the US standard - Black, White, and Blue. The latter was not accepted to the standard until 1987.
In 1879 the breed was brought to Germany. The German Langshans were derived from these and soon replaced them. After the Second World War Croad Langshans were reintroduced to Germany from the USA.
The original Croad Langshans were black with a brilliant green sheen and that is still the main colour kept today.
Characteristics:
The Croad Langshan is large in body, has a deep and long breast which is carried well forward; the back is rather long and sloping with the tail rising sharply from the back, giving the characteristic 'U' shape. The head is small compared to the body size, the beak is light to dark horn in colour; the comb is medium-sized, single and carried upright in both sexes. The shanks and outer toes are slightly feathered. In the original birds the males topped 10 lb/4.5 kg; today cocks weigh 9.5 lbs/3.75-4.25 kg and hens 7.5 lbs/3-3.5 kg. Hatching eggs should weigh at least 58g.
In the early 20th century Croad Langshans became a popular utility breed, doing well in laying trials. The hens lay 140-150 eggs a year and are good winter layers; the eggs are dark brown with a plum-coloured bloom. The hens are excellent sitters and mothers. Croad Langshans are easily tamed and adapt well to both confinement and free range. They do well in sheltered conditions and dry soils but are not well suited to very exposed conditions. Under suitable conditions they thrive well and are very productive. Their flesh is fine in texture and of excellent quality.
Colors: White, Black, Blue
Weight: 6-9 pounds
Legbar
History:
The Cream Legbar is a crested chicken which is a true autosexing breed which means that you can tell the sex of the chicks by the colour of the feathers. It is an old pure breed which originated in the 1930s as a cross between Brown Leghorns and Barred Rock with some Araucana blood in them. They are very firm, muscular birds with a wedge shaped body which is broad at the shoulders and tapers towards the rear. The wings are large carried close to the body and the back is long and flat while the tail is held at 45° to the back. The head has a strong beak and large single erect comb with five to seven even spikes. They have a crest which lies at the back of the head behind the comb which is small in the male and larger in the female. The face is smooth with pendant cream or white ear-lobes, long thin wattles and the neck is long and well feathered. They have a yellow beak, red face, comb and wattles. The yellow legs and feet are strong and unfeathered with four evenly spaced toes.
Behaviour:
The male weighs in at 6-7½ lb and the female is around 4½-6lb.
Varieties:
The male has cream barred neck hackles and the saddle hackles are cream barred with dark grey and have cream tips. The back and the shoulders are mostly cream barred with dark grey. The wings have dark grey barred primaries and secondaries with cream tips. The breast and tail are barred dark grey and the crest is cream and grey. The female has softly barred cream neck hackles. The breast is almost salmon coloured while the body is silver-grey with broad barring. The wings are speckled with grey and the tail is silvery grey with light barring.
Colors: http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGA/Auto/BRKAutosex.html
The Cream Legbar is a crested chicken which is a true autosexing breed which means that you can tell the sex of the chicks by the colour of the feathers. It is an old pure breed which originated in the 1930s as a cross between Brown Leghorns and Barred Rock with some Araucana blood in them. They are very firm, muscular birds with a wedge shaped body which is broad at the shoulders and tapers towards the rear. The wings are large carried close to the body and the back is long and flat while the tail is held at 45° to the back. The head has a strong beak and large single erect comb with five to seven even spikes. They have a crest which lies at the back of the head behind the comb which is small in the male and larger in the female. The face is smooth with pendant cream or white ear-lobes, long thin wattles and the neck is long and well feathered. They have a yellow beak, red face, comb and wattles. The yellow legs and feet are strong and unfeathered with four evenly spaced toes.
Behaviour:
The male weighs in at 6-7½ lb and the female is around 4½-6lb.
Varieties:
The male has cream barred neck hackles and the saddle hackles are cream barred with dark grey and have cream tips. The back and the shoulders are mostly cream barred with dark grey. The wings have dark grey barred primaries and secondaries with cream tips. The breast and tail are barred dark grey and the crest is cream and grey. The female has softly barred cream neck hackles. The breast is almost salmon coloured while the body is silver-grey with broad barring. The wings are speckled with grey and the tail is silvery grey with light barring.
Colors: http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGA/Auto/BRKAutosex.html
Leghorn
The Leghorn: Livorno or Livornese, is a breed of chicken originating in Tuscany, in central Italy. Birds were first exported to North America in 1828 from the port city of Livorno, on the western coast of Tuscany. They were initially called "Italians", but by 1865 the breed was known as "Leghorn", the traditional anglicisation of "Livorno". The breed was first introduced to Britain from the United States in 1870. White Leghorns are commonly used as layer chickens in many countries of the world. Other Leghorn varieties are less common.
History:
The origins of the Leghorn are not clear; it appears to derive from light breeds originating in rural Tuscany. The name comes from Leghorn, the traditional anglicisation of Livorno, the Tuscan port from which the first birds were exported to North America. The date of the first exports is variously reported as 1828, "about 1830" and 1852. Initially called "Italians', they were first referred to as "leghorns" in 1865, in Worcester, Massachusetts.
The breed was included in the American Standard of Perfection in 1874, with three colours: black, white and brown (light and dark). Rose comb light and dark brown were added in 1883, and rose comb white in 1886. Single comb buff and silver followed in 1894, and red, black-tailed red, and Columbian in 1929. In 1981 rose comb black, buff, silver, and golden duckwing were added.
The breed was first introduced to Britain from the United States in 1870, and from there re-exported to Italy. White Leghorns that had won first prize at the 1868 New York show were imported to Britain in 1870, and brown Leghorns from 1872. Pyle Leghorns were first bred in Britain in the 1880s; gold and silver duckwings originated there a few years later, from crosses with Japanese Phoenix or Yokohama birds. Buff Leghorns were first seen in Denmark in 1885, and in England in 1888.
Characteristics:
In Italy, where the Livorno breed standard is recent, ten colour varieties are recognised. There is a separate Italian standard for the German Leghorn variety, the Italiana (German: Italiener). The Fédération française des volailles (the French poultry federation) divides the breed into four types: the American white, the English white, the old type (golden-salmon) and the modern type, for which seventeen colour variants are listed for full-size birds, and fourteen for bantams; it also recognises an autosexing variety, the Cream Legbar. Both the American Poultry Association and the American Bantam Association (ABA) recognize a number of Leghorn varieties including white, red, black-tailed red, light brown, dark brown, black, blue, buff, Columbian, buff Columbian, barred, exchequer and silver. In Britain, the Leghorn Club recognises eighteen colours: golden duckwing, silver duckwing, partridge, brown, buff, exchequer, Columbian, pyle, white, black, blue, mottled, cuckoo, blue-red, lavender, red, crele and buff Columbian. Most Leghorns have single combs; rose combs are permitted in some countries, but not in Italy. The legs are bright yellow, and the ear-lobes white.
The Italian standard gives a weight range of 2.4–2.7 kg (5.3–6.0 lb) for cocks, 2.0–2.3 kg (4.4–5.1 lb) for hens. According to the British standard, fully grown Leghorn cocks weigh 3.4 kg (7.5 lb), hens 2.5 kg; cockerels weigh 2.7–2.95 kg and pullets 2–2.25 kg; for bantams the maximum weight is 1020 g for cocks and 910 g for hens.
The eggs are white and weigh a minimum of 55 g. Ring size is 18 mm for cocks, 16 mm for hens
Colors: Dark Brown, Light Brown, White, Black, Buff, Silver, Black-Tailed Red, Columbian, Golden Duckwing
History:
The origins of the Leghorn are not clear; it appears to derive from light breeds originating in rural Tuscany. The name comes from Leghorn, the traditional anglicisation of Livorno, the Tuscan port from which the first birds were exported to North America. The date of the first exports is variously reported as 1828, "about 1830" and 1852. Initially called "Italians', they were first referred to as "leghorns" in 1865, in Worcester, Massachusetts.
The breed was included in the American Standard of Perfection in 1874, with three colours: black, white and brown (light and dark). Rose comb light and dark brown were added in 1883, and rose comb white in 1886. Single comb buff and silver followed in 1894, and red, black-tailed red, and Columbian in 1929. In 1981 rose comb black, buff, silver, and golden duckwing were added.
The breed was first introduced to Britain from the United States in 1870, and from there re-exported to Italy. White Leghorns that had won first prize at the 1868 New York show were imported to Britain in 1870, and brown Leghorns from 1872. Pyle Leghorns were first bred in Britain in the 1880s; gold and silver duckwings originated there a few years later, from crosses with Japanese Phoenix or Yokohama birds. Buff Leghorns were first seen in Denmark in 1885, and in England in 1888.
Characteristics:
In Italy, where the Livorno breed standard is recent, ten colour varieties are recognised. There is a separate Italian standard for the German Leghorn variety, the Italiana (German: Italiener). The Fédération française des volailles (the French poultry federation) divides the breed into four types: the American white, the English white, the old type (golden-salmon) and the modern type, for which seventeen colour variants are listed for full-size birds, and fourteen for bantams; it also recognises an autosexing variety, the Cream Legbar. Both the American Poultry Association and the American Bantam Association (ABA) recognize a number of Leghorn varieties including white, red, black-tailed red, light brown, dark brown, black, blue, buff, Columbian, buff Columbian, barred, exchequer and silver. In Britain, the Leghorn Club recognises eighteen colours: golden duckwing, silver duckwing, partridge, brown, buff, exchequer, Columbian, pyle, white, black, blue, mottled, cuckoo, blue-red, lavender, red, crele and buff Columbian. Most Leghorns have single combs; rose combs are permitted in some countries, but not in Italy. The legs are bright yellow, and the ear-lobes white.
The Italian standard gives a weight range of 2.4–2.7 kg (5.3–6.0 lb) for cocks, 2.0–2.3 kg (4.4–5.1 lb) for hens. According to the British standard, fully grown Leghorn cocks weigh 3.4 kg (7.5 lb), hens 2.5 kg; cockerels weigh 2.7–2.95 kg and pullets 2–2.25 kg; for bantams the maximum weight is 1020 g for cocks and 910 g for hens.
The eggs are white and weigh a minimum of 55 g. Ring size is 18 mm for cocks, 16 mm for hens
Colors: Dark Brown, Light Brown, White, Black, Buff, Silver, Black-Tailed Red, Columbian, Golden Duckwing
Malay
The Malay is a breed of chicken originating in Asia, most likely in northern Pakistan. These birds are cousins of Asil. It is unknown why they were called Malay, but perhaps because of a mistake by the former East India Company, when they introduced that exotic new breed around 1570. In Asia, the Malay chicken is usually found only in rural areas and villages. It is sometimes referred to as "kampung" chicken (kampung means "village" in Malay). In the Borneo region of Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei, the Malay chicken is called Sigun. In north West Pakistan these are called Sadalay meaning big docile or gentle giants. The Malay Chicken is sometimes used as fighting cocks in cockfighting.
Today, in the West the Malay is mainly kept for participation in poultry shows by breeders. It is considered a hard-feathered, gamefowl breed. The Malay has an upright stance, a well muscled form and a large skull with a cruel expression. Nowadays they are selected to be better egg-layers than in the 1970s with 70 to 120 eggs annually for a young hen and older hens laying only 30 to 55 eggs.
As food:
In Malaysia, kampung chicken is considered a premium by people living in urban areas and costs more in supermarkets and wet markets than conventionally raised broiler chickens, due to its supposedly better flavour.
Malay Chicken is a tougher meat than many other breeds. Because of this, the Malay chicken is often double boiled in herbs or is stewed, and recipes often call for curry, garlic, cumin, turmeric, etc. The Malay carcass may be hung in the kitchen at room temperature for 12 or 24 hours. The meat may also be cubed for soaking in buttermilk, as the milk acid helps to cut the fibrils in the meat.
As sport:
Cockfighting has long been associated with the Malay, even with the coming of Islam, is still continued in certain parts. Chicken fighting is mentioned in the Hikayat Raja-raja Pasai, written in 1390.
Today, in the West the Malay is mainly kept for participation in poultry shows by breeders. It is considered a hard-feathered, gamefowl breed. The Malay has an upright stance, a well muscled form and a large skull with a cruel expression. Nowadays they are selected to be better egg-layers than in the 1970s with 70 to 120 eggs annually for a young hen and older hens laying only 30 to 55 eggs.
As food:
In Malaysia, kampung chicken is considered a premium by people living in urban areas and costs more in supermarkets and wet markets than conventionally raised broiler chickens, due to its supposedly better flavour.
Malay Chicken is a tougher meat than many other breeds. Because of this, the Malay chicken is often double boiled in herbs or is stewed, and recipes often call for curry, garlic, cumin, turmeric, etc. The Malay carcass may be hung in the kitchen at room temperature for 12 or 24 hours. The meat may also be cubed for soaking in buttermilk, as the milk acid helps to cut the fibrils in the meat.
As sport:
Cockfighting has long been associated with the Malay, even with the coming of Islam, is still continued in certain parts. Chicken fighting is mentioned in the Hikayat Raja-raja Pasai, written in 1390.
Marans
The Marans is a breed of chicken originating in France. It is a medium breed compared to others, popular for poultry shows and is a dual purpose fowl known both for its extremely dark eggs as well as for its very fine meat qualities.
Appearance:
There are 9 recognized colors in the French Standard: Cuckoo, Golden Cuckoo, Black, Birchen, Black Copper, Wheaton, Black-tailed Buff, White and Columbian. Black Copper (black with copper feathers on the neck) and Cuckoo (barred feathers, giving a black and white speckled appearance) are the most common of these. Other colours not officially recognized (such as Blue Copper, Blue, and Splash) also exist.
The breed as it was when first brought to England was very variable in appearance. The only colours at this time were the white and brassy black. The breed became more of a standard breed than a country fowl due to the vigorous breeding standards of early British breeders, however this was only started fairly early in the 20th century, To the present day there is still much work to be done as "throw backs" are prevalent in the form of white and black birds being bred from other coloured strains. Sporadically appearing yellow colouration to the legs and beak rather than the preferred white is also a problem found in the breed.
They should have orange eyes. The shanks are usually slate or pink, the soles of the feet should always be white as Marans have white skin, not yellow. The original Marans have feathered legs but this has been bred out by many UK breeders. They are in the medium weight class, generally rather smaller than the more common Rhode Island Red. Some Marans in the United States are heavier.
Appearance:
There are 9 recognized colors in the French Standard: Cuckoo, Golden Cuckoo, Black, Birchen, Black Copper, Wheaton, Black-tailed Buff, White and Columbian. Black Copper (black with copper feathers on the neck) and Cuckoo (barred feathers, giving a black and white speckled appearance) are the most common of these. Other colours not officially recognized (such as Blue Copper, Blue, and Splash) also exist.
The breed as it was when first brought to England was very variable in appearance. The only colours at this time were the white and brassy black. The breed became more of a standard breed than a country fowl due to the vigorous breeding standards of early British breeders, however this was only started fairly early in the 20th century, To the present day there is still much work to be done as "throw backs" are prevalent in the form of white and black birds being bred from other coloured strains. Sporadically appearing yellow colouration to the legs and beak rather than the preferred white is also a problem found in the breed.
They should have orange eyes. The shanks are usually slate or pink, the soles of the feet should always be white as Marans have white skin, not yellow. The original Marans have feathered legs but this has been bred out by many UK breeders. They are in the medium weight class, generally rather smaller than the more common Rhode Island Red. Some Marans in the United States are heavier.
Characteristics:
Marans are generally quiet and docile; but they are quite active, taking well to free ranging in rough terrain and are also tough and disease-resistant. They were originally bred in the marshy areas of France and can cope with damper conditions.
Marans lay around 150 dark brown eggs each year. Marans are an historically dual-purpose bird, prized not only for their dark eggs but for their table qualities as well.
History:
The Marans originate from France, and were imported into the United Kingdom in the 1930s.
During 1929, Lord Greenway was attracted by the particular fleshing qualities of the Marans he saw at the Paris exhibition. (The birds having a fine textured white flesh with gourmet flavour, and at the time fast growing) Unfortunately at that time there was an import restriction on livestock, but some eggs were smuggled into the county that same year in a luncheon basket as hard-boiled eggs.
J S Parkin, Lord Greenway’s Poultry Manager hatched stock from these eggs and found the brown egg factor – he was so impressed that as soon as the restrictions were lifted he imported 60 day old chicks. These early birds had both Silver or Dark Cuckoo markings and feathered shanks. Black, Cuckoo, & White birds were derived from these birds. Lord Greenway first showed Marans at The Crystal Palace in 1934. They were subsequently shown at the World Poultry Congress in Rome & London.
In England there was difficulty differentiating between the Cuckoo Marans and other Continental Cuckoo breeds, especially the North Holland Blue unless the eggs could be seen, so after some years he concentrated his efforts on the selection of the Cuckoo variety exclusively. At that time both clean & feathered shanks were common and he decided to breed clean shanked birds. Due to the instability of the plumage of this variety, he subdivided it into two sub-varieties: Dark Cuckoo and Silver Cuckoo. These English Marans were developed with clean shanks, as breeders had difficulty differentiating them from other feathered shanked European breeds that laid cream/tinted eggs, some Barred Plymouth Rock & Light Sussex being used in their makeup. Interestingly whilst breeding out the shank feathers of Marans the British breeders bred them on to the clean shanked North Holland Blues.
Marans were accepted into the British Standard in 1935, the Standard having been drawn up by J S Parkin and W Powell-Green, Gold Cuckoos followed in 1944, together with the Blacks in 1952, unfortunately the Whites died out. Black Copper-necks were also imported from France in the 1930s but were never accepted into the British Standard. The popularity for the dark egg lead to indiscriminate breeding over the next 20 years to try and improve the identification of pullets and cockerels as day old. Good pure Marans can be difficult to sex when young - and the cockerels eat a lot.
Day old sexing meant the breeders didn't have to rear the cockerels so they could rear more pullets at reduced costs. This was done by using other breeds such as the Light Sussex - their offspring were then put to a pure Marans and the resulting Marans-looking young were sold as Marans. The cockerels were much lighter at day old so it was easier to cull them out. Successive years of breeding from these stocks produced a paler egg, poorer productivity and more white in the feathering (from the Light Sussex).
Pure Marans are now very difficult to find as a result, as it can be very difficult to distinguish between these birds and the mongrelised version which has become incorporated into some stocks.
Recent importations from France into the UK have resulted in both clean shanked and feathered shanked birds being available. The Poultry Club of Great Britain currently refuses to recognise the feathered birds, though they are accepted by The Marans Club of Great Britain. Internationally however. the Australian Poultry Standard recognises both feathered and clean legged and the Maran Club of America only recognises feather legged birds.
Colors: Black Copper, Silver Cuckoo, Golden Cuckoo, White, Wheaten, Birchen, Blue, Others
Appearance:
There are 9 recognized colors in the French Standard: Cuckoo, Golden Cuckoo, Black, Birchen, Black Copper, Wheaton, Black-tailed Buff, White and Columbian. Black Copper (black with copper feathers on the neck) and Cuckoo (barred feathers, giving a black and white speckled appearance) are the most common of these. Other colours not officially recognized (such as Blue Copper, Blue, and Splash) also exist.
The breed as it was when first brought to England was very variable in appearance. The only colours at this time were the white and brassy black. The breed became more of a standard breed than a country fowl due to the vigorous breeding standards of early British breeders, however this was only started fairly early in the 20th century, To the present day there is still much work to be done as "throw backs" are prevalent in the form of white and black birds being bred from other coloured strains. Sporadically appearing yellow colouration to the legs and beak rather than the preferred white is also a problem found in the breed.
They should have orange eyes. The shanks are usually slate or pink, the soles of the feet should always be white as Marans have white skin, not yellow. The original Marans have feathered legs but this has been bred out by many UK breeders. They are in the medium weight class, generally rather smaller than the more common Rhode Island Red. Some Marans in the United States are heavier.
Appearance:
There are 9 recognized colors in the French Standard: Cuckoo, Golden Cuckoo, Black, Birchen, Black Copper, Wheaton, Black-tailed Buff, White and Columbian. Black Copper (black with copper feathers on the neck) and Cuckoo (barred feathers, giving a black and white speckled appearance) are the most common of these. Other colours not officially recognized (such as Blue Copper, Blue, and Splash) also exist.
The breed as it was when first brought to England was very variable in appearance. The only colours at this time were the white and brassy black. The breed became more of a standard breed than a country fowl due to the vigorous breeding standards of early British breeders, however this was only started fairly early in the 20th century, To the present day there is still much work to be done as "throw backs" are prevalent in the form of white and black birds being bred from other coloured strains. Sporadically appearing yellow colouration to the legs and beak rather than the preferred white is also a problem found in the breed.
They should have orange eyes. The shanks are usually slate or pink, the soles of the feet should always be white as Marans have white skin, not yellow. The original Marans have feathered legs but this has been bred out by many UK breeders. They are in the medium weight class, generally rather smaller than the more common Rhode Island Red. Some Marans in the United States are heavier.
Characteristics:
Marans are generally quiet and docile; but they are quite active, taking well to free ranging in rough terrain and are also tough and disease-resistant. They were originally bred in the marshy areas of France and can cope with damper conditions.
Marans lay around 150 dark brown eggs each year. Marans are an historically dual-purpose bird, prized not only for their dark eggs but for their table qualities as well.
History:
The Marans originate from France, and were imported into the United Kingdom in the 1930s.
During 1929, Lord Greenway was attracted by the particular fleshing qualities of the Marans he saw at the Paris exhibition. (The birds having a fine textured white flesh with gourmet flavour, and at the time fast growing) Unfortunately at that time there was an import restriction on livestock, but some eggs were smuggled into the county that same year in a luncheon basket as hard-boiled eggs.
J S Parkin, Lord Greenway’s Poultry Manager hatched stock from these eggs and found the brown egg factor – he was so impressed that as soon as the restrictions were lifted he imported 60 day old chicks. These early birds had both Silver or Dark Cuckoo markings and feathered shanks. Black, Cuckoo, & White birds were derived from these birds. Lord Greenway first showed Marans at The Crystal Palace in 1934. They were subsequently shown at the World Poultry Congress in Rome & London.
In England there was difficulty differentiating between the Cuckoo Marans and other Continental Cuckoo breeds, especially the North Holland Blue unless the eggs could be seen, so after some years he concentrated his efforts on the selection of the Cuckoo variety exclusively. At that time both clean & feathered shanks were common and he decided to breed clean shanked birds. Due to the instability of the plumage of this variety, he subdivided it into two sub-varieties: Dark Cuckoo and Silver Cuckoo. These English Marans were developed with clean shanks, as breeders had difficulty differentiating them from other feathered shanked European breeds that laid cream/tinted eggs, some Barred Plymouth Rock & Light Sussex being used in their makeup. Interestingly whilst breeding out the shank feathers of Marans the British breeders bred them on to the clean shanked North Holland Blues.
Marans were accepted into the British Standard in 1935, the Standard having been drawn up by J S Parkin and W Powell-Green, Gold Cuckoos followed in 1944, together with the Blacks in 1952, unfortunately the Whites died out. Black Copper-necks were also imported from France in the 1930s but were never accepted into the British Standard. The popularity for the dark egg lead to indiscriminate breeding over the next 20 years to try and improve the identification of pullets and cockerels as day old. Good pure Marans can be difficult to sex when young - and the cockerels eat a lot.
Day old sexing meant the breeders didn't have to rear the cockerels so they could rear more pullets at reduced costs. This was done by using other breeds such as the Light Sussex - their offspring were then put to a pure Marans and the resulting Marans-looking young were sold as Marans. The cockerels were much lighter at day old so it was easier to cull them out. Successive years of breeding from these stocks produced a paler egg, poorer productivity and more white in the feathering (from the Light Sussex).
Pure Marans are now very difficult to find as a result, as it can be very difficult to distinguish between these birds and the mongrelised version which has become incorporated into some stocks.
Recent importations from France into the UK have resulted in both clean shanked and feathered shanked birds being available. The Poultry Club of Great Britain currently refuses to recognise the feathered birds, though they are accepted by The Marans Club of Great Britain. Internationally however. the Australian Poultry Standard recognises both feathered and clean legged and the Maran Club of America only recognises feather legged birds.
Colors: Black Copper, Silver Cuckoo, Golden Cuckoo, White, Wheaten, Birchen, Blue, Others
Minorca
The Minorca is a breed of chicken originating in Spain. They are classified in the Mediterranean class by the American Poultry Association. They lay white eggs. Color varieties include buff, black, white with the British recognizing a blue phase. Minorcas mature quickly and begin crowing sooner than other breeds. It closely related to White-faced Black Spanish and Castilian Black. Minorcas tend to be very flighty.
Characteristics:
The Minorca is the largest of the Mediterranean class of fowl in roosters weighing 9 pounds and hens 7½ pounds. They are utility fowl and were once in the class of widespread large flocks for laying and meat production like the Leghorn breed which is the smallest of this class. This chicken does not go "broody" and are usually very flighty but can be trained if handled regularly while still chicks. The distinction of the Minorca is its rather large white ear patch much like the White Faced Black Spanish, another of this class which makes it recognizable at a distance. The white phase of this breed which once numbered in the thousands is thought now to only have 100 chickens in all of the United States. The breed was developed in England from imported Castilian fowl of Spain. Another of this Minorca group is the Blue Andalusian noted for its equally Minorca large-sized comb which limits this breed from the frigid northern areas of the United States and Canada where comb frostbite is a problem for these birds.
Weight: 6-9 pounds
Characteristics:
The Minorca is the largest of the Mediterranean class of fowl in roosters weighing 9 pounds and hens 7½ pounds. They are utility fowl and were once in the class of widespread large flocks for laying and meat production like the Leghorn breed which is the smallest of this class. This chicken does not go "broody" and are usually very flighty but can be trained if handled regularly while still chicks. The distinction of the Minorca is its rather large white ear patch much like the White Faced Black Spanish, another of this class which makes it recognizable at a distance. The white phase of this breed which once numbered in the thousands is thought now to only have 100 chickens in all of the United States. The breed was developed in England from imported Castilian fowl of Spain. Another of this Minorca group is the Blue Andalusian noted for its equally Minorca large-sized comb which limits this breed from the frigid northern areas of the United States and Canada where comb frostbite is a problem for these birds.
Weight: 6-9 pounds
Modern Game
The Modern Game is a breed of a chicken originating in England between 1850 and 1900. Purely an exhibition bird, Modern Game were developed to be most aesthetically pleasing and to epitomize the visual appeal of the gamecock or fighting cock. After the outlawing of cockfights in the U.K. in the mid 19th century, many cockfighting enthusiasts turned to breeding for shows as an alternative poultry hobby, and the Modern Game was developed from crosses of Old English Game and Malays. Despite being classified as game chickens (i.e. of cockfighting derivation) in breed standards, Modern Game were not bred to fight.
Today, the ideal show bird should have a body shaped like a flat iron when seen from above, a relatively short back, fine tail, hard feathering, and a very upright carriage. The breed appears in more than a dozen colour variations. The most common being black red, birchen, brown red, duckwing and pyle. The colours can be broadly divided into two groups; those with willow-coloured legs and red eyes, and those with black legs and dark eyes.
A prize-winning Modern Game in Australia Like many breeds, Modern Game comes in both a standard large size and a bantam version; according to the British Poultry Standards large fowl should weigh 5- 9 pounds (2.25-4.10 kilos) and bantams 16-22 ounces (450-620 grams). Today, the bantam version is the most popular among poultry fanciers. The colour of their skin, comb, and wattles varies from red to mulberry depending on variety, but all have a small single comb. Combs and wattles are required to be dubbed (cut off) to compete in showing in some countries, which reflects their descent from fighting birds.
Modern Game are neither good egg layers nor are they valued for meat production. Admitted to the American Poultry Association's standard of Perfection upon the first edition in 1874, they are almost exclusively kept by competitive breeders. In temperament, they are friendly and curious towards people, and are easily tamed. For this reason Modern Game is considered excellent pets for the suburban poultry keeper.
Colors: Black-Breasted Red, Brown-Red, Golden Duckwing, Silver Duckwing, Birchen, Red Pyle, White, Black
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/Games/AmerGameBantams/BRKAmerGameBty.html
Today, the ideal show bird should have a body shaped like a flat iron when seen from above, a relatively short back, fine tail, hard feathering, and a very upright carriage. The breed appears in more than a dozen colour variations. The most common being black red, birchen, brown red, duckwing and pyle. The colours can be broadly divided into two groups; those with willow-coloured legs and red eyes, and those with black legs and dark eyes.
A prize-winning Modern Game in Australia Like many breeds, Modern Game comes in both a standard large size and a bantam version; according to the British Poultry Standards large fowl should weigh 5- 9 pounds (2.25-4.10 kilos) and bantams 16-22 ounces (450-620 grams). Today, the bantam version is the most popular among poultry fanciers. The colour of their skin, comb, and wattles varies from red to mulberry depending on variety, but all have a small single comb. Combs and wattles are required to be dubbed (cut off) to compete in showing in some countries, which reflects their descent from fighting birds.
Modern Game are neither good egg layers nor are they valued for meat production. Admitted to the American Poultry Association's standard of Perfection upon the first edition in 1874, they are almost exclusively kept by competitive breeders. In temperament, they are friendly and curious towards people, and are easily tamed. For this reason Modern Game is considered excellent pets for the suburban poultry keeper.
Colors: Black-Breasted Red, Brown-Red, Golden Duckwing, Silver Duckwing, Birchen, Red Pyle, White, Black
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/Games/AmerGameBantams/BRKAmerGameBty.html
Naked Neck
The Naked Neck is a breed of chicken that is naturally devoid of feathers on its neck and vent. The breed is also called the Transylvanian Naked Neck, as well as the Turken. Originally from Transylvania and was largely developed in Germany. The name "Turken" arose from the mistaken idea that the bird was a hybrid of a chicken and the domestic turkey. Naked Necks are fairly common in Europe today, but are rare in North America. The trait for a naked neck is a dominant one controlled by one gene and is fairly easy to introduce into other breeds, however these are hybrids rather than true Naked Necks, which is a breed recognized by the American Poultry Association since 1965, it was introduced in the Britain in the 1920s. There are other breeds of naked necked chicken, such as the French naked neck, which is often confused with the Transylvanian, and the naked necked gamefowl.
Characteristics: Naked Neck chickens Despite its highly unusual appearance, the breed is not particularly known as an exhibition bird, and is a dual-purpose utility chicken. They lay a respectable number of light brown eggs, and are considered desirable for meat production because they need less plucking and they have a meaty body. They are very good foragers and are immune to most diseases. The breed is also reasonably cold hardy despite its lack of feathers. Naked Neck roosters carry a single comb and the neck and head often become very bright red from increased sun exposure. This breed has approximately half the feathers of other chickens, making it resistant to hot weather and easier to pluck.
Recognized color varieties include: black, white, cuckoo, buff, red, and blue in the United Kingdom and Black, White, Buff, and Red in the United States.
The naked neck trait which characterizes this breed is controlled by an incompletely dominant. Since this allele is dominant, individuals which are either homozygous dominantor heterozygous will exhibit the naked neck characteristic though the heterozygous individual will exhibit less reduction in feathering - true breeding members of the breed must then be homozygous dominant, and all individuals in the recognized breed must be also. Individuals which are homozygous recessive (or wild type feathered) would not exhibit any feather reduction characteristics of the Naked Necks and, baring mutation, would be unable to pass that trait down.
Scientific studies have indicated that the naked neck gene improves breast size and reduces heat stress in chickens of non-broiler breeds which are homozygous for the trait. Additionally, in tropical climates if the naked neck trait is breed into broiler strains it has been shown to facilitate lower body temperature, increased body weight gain, better Feed conversion ratios and carcass traits compared to normally feathered broilers.
Characteristics: Naked Neck chickens Despite its highly unusual appearance, the breed is not particularly known as an exhibition bird, and is a dual-purpose utility chicken. They lay a respectable number of light brown eggs, and are considered desirable for meat production because they need less plucking and they have a meaty body. They are very good foragers and are immune to most diseases. The breed is also reasonably cold hardy despite its lack of feathers. Naked Neck roosters carry a single comb and the neck and head often become very bright red from increased sun exposure. This breed has approximately half the feathers of other chickens, making it resistant to hot weather and easier to pluck.
Recognized color varieties include: black, white, cuckoo, buff, red, and blue in the United Kingdom and Black, White, Buff, and Red in the United States.
The naked neck trait which characterizes this breed is controlled by an incompletely dominant. Since this allele is dominant, individuals which are either homozygous dominantor heterozygous will exhibit the naked neck characteristic though the heterozygous individual will exhibit less reduction in feathering - true breeding members of the breed must then be homozygous dominant, and all individuals in the recognized breed must be also. Individuals which are homozygous recessive (or wild type feathered) would not exhibit any feather reduction characteristics of the Naked Necks and, baring mutation, would be unable to pass that trait down.
Scientific studies have indicated that the naked neck gene improves breast size and reduces heat stress in chickens of non-broiler breeds which are homozygous for the trait. Additionally, in tropical climates if the naked neck trait is breed into broiler strains it has been shown to facilitate lower body temperature, increased body weight gain, better Feed conversion ratios and carcass traits compared to normally feathered broilers.
New Hampshire
The New Hampshire breed of chicken originated in the state of New Hampshire in the United States. Poultry farmers, starting with Rhode Island Reds and performing generation after generation of selective breeding, intensified the characteristics of early maturity, rapid full feathering, and production of large brown eggs. The mature birds are a rich chestnut red, of a somewhat lighter and more even shade than the Rhode Island Reds. The baby chicks are also a lighter red.
Use:
A dual purpose chicken, selected more for meat production than egg production. Medium heavy in weight, it dresses a nice, plump carcass as either a broiler or a roaster.
Origin:
New Hampshires are a relatively new breed, having been admitted to the Standard in 1935. They represent a specialized selection out of the Rhode Island Red breed. By intensive selection for rapid growth, fast feathering, early maturity and vigor, a different breed gradually emerged. This took place in the New England states, chiefly in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, from which it takes its name.
Characteristics:
New Hampshire Red hen They possess a deep, broad body, grow feathers very rapidly, are prone to go broody and make good mothers. Most pin feathers are a reddish buff in color and, therefore, do not detract from the carcass appearance very much. The color is a medium to light red and often fades in the sunshine. The comb is single and medium to large in size; in the females it often lops over a bit. These good, medium-sized meat chickens have fair egg-laying ability. Some strains lay eggs of a dark brown shell color. New Hampshires are competitive and aggressive, with other chickens. They were initially used in the Chicken of Tomorrow contests, which led the way for the modern broiler industry, and they were also used to develop the Delaware breed of chicken.
Use:
A dual purpose chicken, selected more for meat production than egg production. Medium heavy in weight, it dresses a nice, plump carcass as either a broiler or a roaster.
Origin:
New Hampshires are a relatively new breed, having been admitted to the Standard in 1935. They represent a specialized selection out of the Rhode Island Red breed. By intensive selection for rapid growth, fast feathering, early maturity and vigor, a different breed gradually emerged. This took place in the New England states, chiefly in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, from which it takes its name.
Characteristics:
New Hampshire Red hen They possess a deep, broad body, grow feathers very rapidly, are prone to go broody and make good mothers. Most pin feathers are a reddish buff in color and, therefore, do not detract from the carcass appearance very much. The color is a medium to light red and often fades in the sunshine. The comb is single and medium to large in size; in the females it often lops over a bit. These good, medium-sized meat chickens have fair egg-laying ability. Some strains lay eggs of a dark brown shell color. New Hampshires are competitive and aggressive, with other chickens. They were initially used in the Chicken of Tomorrow contests, which led the way for the modern broiler industry, and they were also used to develop the Delaware breed of chicken.
Old English Game
The Old English Game Fowl is a breed of chicken. Pure English Game Fowls are prized among Poultry breeders and thus fetch a high sale price. One of the types called standard Old Englishes are larger than the bantams and were originally bred for cockfighting. Old Englishes should not be confused with American games nor should American games be confused with Old Englishes.
Bantam version:
It should be noted that the body styles of US and UK OEG bantams differ noticeably. The Old English Game Bantam is the bantam version of this breed, it is one of the smallest chicken breeds, weighing about 22 oz (650 grams) when they are fully grown. The Old English Game Bantam is one of the most popular bantam breeds. This is especially the case in the United Kingdom, where it has its own specialist shows. The Old English Bantam is similar to the Old English Game in that it has long legs and it is fairly muscular. They are a great pet for children. The bantam was not developed from the larger sized old English but rather from other barnyard bantams of the same area. This explains their lack of length in the sickle feathers that you see in the standard sized O.E.G. The American old English game bantams contain blood from Dutch, and Rosecombs plus other breeds to add feather length and more colors like the silver laced varieties developed from sebrights.
the Old English Game Bantams History:
The English Game Fowl is one of the oldest strains of poultry breeds. Through the Middle Ages the breed was developed by the English Nobility into many varying colors, traits desirable for cockfighting were chosen by breeders. Cockfighting became illegal in Britain and Australia in the 1850s and English game fowl are usually kept just by poultry enthusiasts. Today the breeds are used at poultry exhibitions and breeders try to develop stock that will win prizes. Exhibition bred cocks can fetch amounts over US$ 600. Breeders aim to preserve the present strains of this species as well as trying to keep the color and traits for poultry showing and exhibits.
Colors: Black-Breasted Red, Brown-Red, Golden Duckwing, Silver Duckwing, Red Pyle, White, Black, others
http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/Old-English-Game-B78.aspx
Bantam version:
It should be noted that the body styles of US and UK OEG bantams differ noticeably. The Old English Game Bantam is the bantam version of this breed, it is one of the smallest chicken breeds, weighing about 22 oz (650 grams) when they are fully grown. The Old English Game Bantam is one of the most popular bantam breeds. This is especially the case in the United Kingdom, where it has its own specialist shows. The Old English Bantam is similar to the Old English Game in that it has long legs and it is fairly muscular. They are a great pet for children. The bantam was not developed from the larger sized old English but rather from other barnyard bantams of the same area. This explains their lack of length in the sickle feathers that you see in the standard sized O.E.G. The American old English game bantams contain blood from Dutch, and Rosecombs plus other breeds to add feather length and more colors like the silver laced varieties developed from sebrights.
the Old English Game Bantams History:
The English Game Fowl is one of the oldest strains of poultry breeds. Through the Middle Ages the breed was developed by the English Nobility into many varying colors, traits desirable for cockfighting were chosen by breeders. Cockfighting became illegal in Britain and Australia in the 1850s and English game fowl are usually kept just by poultry enthusiasts. Today the breeds are used at poultry exhibitions and breeders try to develop stock that will win prizes. Exhibition bred cocks can fetch amounts over US$ 600. Breeders aim to preserve the present strains of this species as well as trying to keep the color and traits for poultry showing and exhibits.
Colors: Black-Breasted Red, Brown-Red, Golden Duckwing, Silver Duckwing, Red Pyle, White, Black, others
http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/Old-English-Game-B78.aspx
Penedesenca
The Penedesenca is a breed of chicken originating in the Spanish province of Catalonia, in the area around Vilafranca del Penedès, which is the main town in the region known as "Penedès". It was developed in the first half of the 20th century from native barnyard chickens, and today is noted for producing copious amounts of very dark brown eggs, said to be among the darkest of any breed of chicken.
The earliest variety was the Black Penedesenca, which became standardized in 1946, when it was better known as the Vilafranca chicken. Today, Black, Crele, Partridge, and Wheaten colors exist (the Crele variety shows sexual differentiation at hatching, the males being light ash-grey and the females nut-brown in color). However, no variety has been accepted into poultry standards. All members of the breed possess red earlobes with a white center, red wattles, and an unusual red comb. Called the king's comb or carnation comb, it is similar to a common single comb but has several lobes at the rear. The breed is rare among poultry fanciers in North America, but is a common breed in Central and South America.
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGP/Penes/BRKPenes.html
Phoenix
The Phoenix is one of many breeds of chicken that resulted from European selective breeding of onagadori, a long-tail fowl bred in Japan for a thousand years.
They molt every other year, unlike most chicken breeds that molt every year. The breed is famous for its wide, rigid sickle feathers two to five ft. long, with their saddle feather growing from 12 to 18 inches.
The Phoenix breed was accepted into the American Poultry Association Standard of Perfection in 1974 with the Gold and Silver varieties. Recently the Black Breasted Red variety has also been included.
Mr. Hugo du Roi, the first president of the National German Poultry Association, created the Phoenix breed.
Colors: Silver, Gold
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGP/Phoen/BRKPhoenix.html
They molt every other year, unlike most chicken breeds that molt every year. The breed is famous for its wide, rigid sickle feathers two to five ft. long, with their saddle feather growing from 12 to 18 inches.
The Phoenix breed was accepted into the American Poultry Association Standard of Perfection in 1974 with the Gold and Silver varieties. Recently the Black Breasted Red variety has also been included.
Mr. Hugo du Roi, the first president of the National German Poultry Association, created the Phoenix breed.
Colors: Silver, Gold
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGP/Phoen/BRKPhoenix.html
Redcap
The Derbyshire Redcap is a breed of chicken originating in the English county of Derbyshire. The name "Redcap" derives from the breed's unusually large Rose-type comb. British breed standards dictate a length of more than 7 centimeters (3 inches) of length for a Redcap comb. It is covered in small, fleshy points, and has a distinct spike pointing backwards called a "leader". Combs, wattles and earlobes are all ideally bright red.
Characteristics:
Redcaps are classified as a light fowl, with roosters weighing approximately 3.4 kilos (7.5 pounds), and hens 2.75 kilos (6 pounds). Redcaps can be differentiated from similar looking breeds, especially the more popular Hamburgs, by their red earlobes and larger comb. Beaks are horn colored. Combs which hang to either side of the face, white earlobes, or a lack of points on the comb are undesirable traits according to the breed standards, and result in disqualification from poultry shows. The breed appears in a single variety of plumage, with various dark hues of red, brown and black. Roosters display a greater diversity of color, but both males and females have black tails and a crescent shape of black on the edge of most body feathers.
Derbyshire Redcaps are a hardy, active breed of chicken that does well in free range conditions. They are well suited for dual-purpose farm flocks, being used for both meat and egg production in addition to their ornamental qualities. Hens do not usually go broody, and lay a good amount of large, white colored eggs.
History:
Redcaps are a native English bird that have been written about since at least the early 19th century. The exact breeds that contributed to the creation of the Redcap are unknown, but Golden Spangled Hamburgs, Dorkings, Old English Pheasant Fowl and Black-Breasted Red Games may have been involved. The breed is also very similar in conformation to now-extinct chickens such as the Yorkshire Pheasant and the Lancashire Moonie.
Derbyshire Redcaps were common on British farms until the middle of the 20th century, particularly around the southern Pennines. They have never been preferred by intensive farms or commercial operations, and have always been primarily a barnyard fowl. In the 21st century, they are a very rare chicken, with the largest numbers still residing in their home country. The Rare Breeds Survival Trust of the U.K. lists them as Vulnerable on their watch list. Abroad, Redcaps were admitted to the American Poultry Association's Standard of Perfection in 1888, and are listed as Critical on the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy watchlist.
Characteristics:
Redcaps are classified as a light fowl, with roosters weighing approximately 3.4 kilos (7.5 pounds), and hens 2.75 kilos (6 pounds). Redcaps can be differentiated from similar looking breeds, especially the more popular Hamburgs, by their red earlobes and larger comb. Beaks are horn colored. Combs which hang to either side of the face, white earlobes, or a lack of points on the comb are undesirable traits according to the breed standards, and result in disqualification from poultry shows. The breed appears in a single variety of plumage, with various dark hues of red, brown and black. Roosters display a greater diversity of color, but both males and females have black tails and a crescent shape of black on the edge of most body feathers.
Derbyshire Redcaps are a hardy, active breed of chicken that does well in free range conditions. They are well suited for dual-purpose farm flocks, being used for both meat and egg production in addition to their ornamental qualities. Hens do not usually go broody, and lay a good amount of large, white colored eggs.
History:
Redcaps are a native English bird that have been written about since at least the early 19th century. The exact breeds that contributed to the creation of the Redcap are unknown, but Golden Spangled Hamburgs, Dorkings, Old English Pheasant Fowl and Black-Breasted Red Games may have been involved. The breed is also very similar in conformation to now-extinct chickens such as the Yorkshire Pheasant and the Lancashire Moonie.
Derbyshire Redcaps were common on British farms until the middle of the 20th century, particularly around the southern Pennines. They have never been preferred by intensive farms or commercial operations, and have always been primarily a barnyard fowl. In the 21st century, they are a very rare chicken, with the largest numbers still residing in their home country. The Rare Breeds Survival Trust of the U.K. lists them as Vulnerable on their watch list. Abroad, Redcaps were admitted to the American Poultry Association's Standard of Perfection in 1888, and are listed as Critical on the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy watchlist.
Rhode Island Red
The Rhode Island Red is a breed of chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus). They are a utility bird, raised for meat and eggs, and also as show birds. They are a popular choice for backyard flocks because of their egg laying abilities and hardiness. Non-industrial strains of the Rhode Island Red are listed as recovering by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy.Three vital variations appeared to have had the largest impact around the Rhode Island Red: Asiatics, Game, and Mediterranean.
The Rhode Island Red is the state bird of Rhode Island
Appearance:
The bird's feathers are rust-colored, however darker shades are known, including maroon bordering on black. Their eyes are red-orange and they have yellow feet, with reddish-brown beaks. Chicks are a light red to tan color. The Roosters usually weigh in at 8.5 pounds (3.9 kg), the Hens slightly less at 6.5 pounds (2.9 kg), cockerel at 7.5 pounds (3.4 kg), and pullets at 5.5 pounds (2.5 kg).
History:
Developed in Rhode Island & Massachusetts, early flocks often had both single and rose combed individuals because of the influence of Malay blood. It was from the Malay that the Rhode Island Red got its deep color, strong constitution, and relatively hard feathers.
The Rhode Island Red were originally bred in Adamsville, a village which is part of Little Compton, Rhode Island. One of the foundation sires of the breed was a black-breasted red Malay cock which was imported from England. This cock is on display at the Smithsonian Institution as the father of the Rhode Island Red breed.
In 1925, the Rhode Island Red Club of America donated funds for an elegant monument to the Rhode Island Red in Adamsville, near the baseball field and across the street from what used to be Abraham Manchester's restaurant. (The monument is now on the National Register of Historic Places.) A competing monument to the Rhode Island Red, claiming its creation not for the poultry fanciers, but for the farmers who grew them commercially in great numbers in Little Compton, was erected by the state in 1954 a mile or so (about two kilometers) south of Adamsville.
Rhode Island Reds and Sussex are also used for many modern hybrid breeds. Many modern hybrid hens have Rhode Island Red fathers, mainly due to the prolific egg laying characteristic of the Rhode Island Red, which is passed down through the males.
Rhode Island Reds cocks were hybridised with Black Shumen chicken and Starozagorska red chicken.
The Rhode Island Red is the state bird of Rhode Island
Appearance:
The bird's feathers are rust-colored, however darker shades are known, including maroon bordering on black. Their eyes are red-orange and they have yellow feet, with reddish-brown beaks. Chicks are a light red to tan color. The Roosters usually weigh in at 8.5 pounds (3.9 kg), the Hens slightly less at 6.5 pounds (2.9 kg), cockerel at 7.5 pounds (3.4 kg), and pullets at 5.5 pounds (2.5 kg).
History:
Developed in Rhode Island & Massachusetts, early flocks often had both single and rose combed individuals because of the influence of Malay blood. It was from the Malay that the Rhode Island Red got its deep color, strong constitution, and relatively hard feathers.
The Rhode Island Red were originally bred in Adamsville, a village which is part of Little Compton, Rhode Island. One of the foundation sires of the breed was a black-breasted red Malay cock which was imported from England. This cock is on display at the Smithsonian Institution as the father of the Rhode Island Red breed.
In 1925, the Rhode Island Red Club of America donated funds for an elegant monument to the Rhode Island Red in Adamsville, near the baseball field and across the street from what used to be Abraham Manchester's restaurant. (The monument is now on the National Register of Historic Places.) A competing monument to the Rhode Island Red, claiming its creation not for the poultry fanciers, but for the farmers who grew them commercially in great numbers in Little Compton, was erected by the state in 1954 a mile or so (about two kilometers) south of Adamsville.
Rhode Island Reds and Sussex are also used for many modern hybrid breeds. Many modern hybrid hens have Rhode Island Red fathers, mainly due to the prolific egg laying characteristic of the Rhode Island Red, which is passed down through the males.
Rhode Island Reds cocks were hybridised with Black Shumen chicken and Starozagorska red chicken.
The left is a robin egg and the one on the right is a Rhode island egg
Rosecomb
The Rosecomb is a breed of chicken named for its distinctive comb. Rosecombs are bantam chickens, and are among those known as true bantams, meaning they are not a miniaturized version of a large fowl. Rosecombs are one of the oldest and most popular bantam breeds in showing, and thus have numerous variations within the breed. As an ornamental chicken, they are subsequently poor egg layers, and not suited for meat production.
History:
The Rosecomb is one of the oldest bantam breeds of chicken. The earliest surviving records of the breed are from the 14th century in Britain, though it may have another point of origin. Their popularity as an ornamental breed first took flight after King Richard III began to raise them. Their popularity among poultry enthusiasts continued in to the 19th century, and Rosecombs were shown at the first North American poultry exhibition in 1849, as well as being admitted in to the first edition of American Standard of Perfection in 1874. Today their widespread keeping by breeders persists.
Characteristics:
Rosecombs are almost exclusively kept for competitive poultry showing, and their characteristics reflect this. Males are generally 20–22 ounces (1.3 lbs), and females are 16–18 oz. (1.1 lbs). The breed's eponymous trait is its rose comb, which is large compared to its overall body size. They also sport relatively substantial white earlobes, prodigious tails, and a compact body shape. In addition to these general characteristics, Rosecombs appear in 25 different color variations, though Black, Blue, and White are the most common.
Selective breeding solely for appearance has produced birds with striking appearances, but poor egg laying ability, carcasses unsuitable for eating, and some reproductive problems. Due to a genetic trait tied to rose combed chickens, roosters may have low fertility. Hens rarely are inclined to brood their own clutches, and chicks have high mortality rates. However, adult birds are generally hardy and active. Unlike the majority of chickens, Rosecombs are good fliers. They are also usually friendly birds, but males may be aggressive.
Colors: http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGP/BRC/BRKRosecombs.html
History:
The Rosecomb is one of the oldest bantam breeds of chicken. The earliest surviving records of the breed are from the 14th century in Britain, though it may have another point of origin. Their popularity as an ornamental breed first took flight after King Richard III began to raise them. Their popularity among poultry enthusiasts continued in to the 19th century, and Rosecombs were shown at the first North American poultry exhibition in 1849, as well as being admitted in to the first edition of American Standard of Perfection in 1874. Today their widespread keeping by breeders persists.
Characteristics:
Rosecombs are almost exclusively kept for competitive poultry showing, and their characteristics reflect this. Males are generally 20–22 ounces (1.3 lbs), and females are 16–18 oz. (1.1 lbs). The breed's eponymous trait is its rose comb, which is large compared to its overall body size. They also sport relatively substantial white earlobes, prodigious tails, and a compact body shape. In addition to these general characteristics, Rosecombs appear in 25 different color variations, though Black, Blue, and White are the most common.
Selective breeding solely for appearance has produced birds with striking appearances, but poor egg laying ability, carcasses unsuitable for eating, and some reproductive problems. Due to a genetic trait tied to rose combed chickens, roosters may have low fertility. Hens rarely are inclined to brood their own clutches, and chicks have high mortality rates. However, adult birds are generally hardy and active. Unlike the majority of chickens, Rosecombs are good fliers. They are also usually friendly birds, but males may be aggressive.
Colors: http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGP/BRC/BRKRosecombs.html
Russian Orloff
The Orloff is a breed of chicken named after Alexei Grigoryevich Orlov, a Russian Count. Reflecting this origin, it is sometimes called the Russian Orloff or simply Russian.
For most of its history, the Orloff was considered to be a product of Russia and Orlov, but modern research has discovered that the breed first appeared in Persia, and was distributed across Europe and Asia by the 17th century. However, Count Orlov was a key promoter of the breed in the 19th century, and the breed became known in the West following his efforts.
Orloffs were first introduced to Great Britain in the 1920s, and were also refined a good deal in Germany; Germans created the first miniaturized bantam Orloff by 1925. The breed was once included in the American Poultry Association's breed standard, the Standard of Perfection, but it was removed due a lack of interest from breeders. In the 21st century, the Orloff remains a rare breed in the West. The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy lists the breed as critically endangered.
The Orloff is a tall, well-feathered chicken with a somewhat game-like appearance. The head and neck are very thickly feathered. They appear in several recognized color varieties: Black, White, Spangled, Black-tailed Red, Mahogany, and Cuckoo. Their plumage, combined with their tiny walnut comb, small earlobes and minuscule wattles, makes the Orloff a very cold hardy breed. Males generally weigh 3.6 kilos (8 pounds), and hens weigh 3 kilos (6.5 pounds). Orloffs are primarily suited to meat production, but hens are reasonable layers of light brown eggs and do not usually go broody. In general temperament, they are known to be relatively calm birds.
Colors: http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGK/Orloffs/BRKOrloff.html
For most of its history, the Orloff was considered to be a product of Russia and Orlov, but modern research has discovered that the breed first appeared in Persia, and was distributed across Europe and Asia by the 17th century. However, Count Orlov was a key promoter of the breed in the 19th century, and the breed became known in the West following his efforts.
Orloffs were first introduced to Great Britain in the 1920s, and were also refined a good deal in Germany; Germans created the first miniaturized bantam Orloff by 1925. The breed was once included in the American Poultry Association's breed standard, the Standard of Perfection, but it was removed due a lack of interest from breeders. In the 21st century, the Orloff remains a rare breed in the West. The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy lists the breed as critically endangered.
The Orloff is a tall, well-feathered chicken with a somewhat game-like appearance. The head and neck are very thickly feathered. They appear in several recognized color varieties: Black, White, Spangled, Black-tailed Red, Mahogany, and Cuckoo. Their plumage, combined with their tiny walnut comb, small earlobes and minuscule wattles, makes the Orloff a very cold hardy breed. Males generally weigh 3.6 kilos (8 pounds), and hens weigh 3 kilos (6.5 pounds). Orloffs are primarily suited to meat production, but hens are reasonable layers of light brown eggs and do not usually go broody. In general temperament, they are known to be relatively calm birds.
Colors: http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGK/Orloffs/BRKOrloff.html
Sebright
The Sebright is a breed of chicken named after its developer, Sir John Saunders Sebright. The Sebright is one of the oldest recorded British 'true' bantam (meaning it is a miniature bird with no corresponding large version of the breed), created in the 19th century through a selective breeding program designed to produce an ornamental breed.
The first poultry breed to have its own specialist club for enthusiasts, Sebrights were admitted to poultry
exhibition standards not long after their establishment. Today, they are among the most popular of bantam breeds. Despite their popularity, Sebrights are often difficult to breed, and the inheritance of certain unique characteristics the breed carries has been studied scientifically. As a largely ornamental chicken, they lay tiny, white eggs and are not kept for meat production.
History:
Background Sir John Saunders Sebright (1767–1846) was the 7th Sebright Baronet, and a Member of Parliament for Hertfordshire. In addition to breeding chickens, cattle and other animals, Sir John wrote several influential pamphlets on animal keeping and breeding: The Art of Improving the Breeds of Domestic Animals (1809), Observations upon Hawking (1826), and Observations upon the Instinct of Animals (1836).
Charles Darwin read Sir John's 1809 pamphlet, and was impressed with a passage that elaborated on how "the weak and the unhealthy do not live to propagate their infirmities". These writings, along with Darwin's correspondence via their mutual friend William Yarrell, aided Darwin in the inception of Darwin's theory of natural selection. Darwin's seminal work On the Origin of Species, first published in 1859, cited Sir John's experiments in pigeon breeding, and recalled "That most skilful breeder, Sir John Sebright, used to say, with respect to pigeons, that 'he would produce any given feather in three years, but it would take him six years to obtain head and beak. Darwin also cited Sir John extensively regarding the Sebright bantam, as well as pigeon and dog breeding, in his 1868 work Variation of Plants and Animals Under Domestication, his 1871 The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex, and his book on Natural Selection (which was not published in his lifetime).
Development:
With the breed that carries his name, John Sebright intentionally set out to create a very small bantam chicken with laced plumage similar to the laced variety of Polish chickens. Although the exact makeup of the breed is uncertain, he is thought to have crossed British, Hamburgh, Nankin and Polish birds with a base of Rosecombs before achieving a laced chicken that would breed true. After the breed's establishment circa 1810, Sebright founded The Sebright Bantam Club, which was the very first individual breed association for chickens. The breed has appeared in the American Poultry Association's Standard of Perfection since the first edition in 1874. Today, the breed is one of the ten most popular bantam chickens, according to the American Bantam Association
Characteristics:
In accordance with the intentions of their creator, the Sebright is an ornamental bantam, and is commonly seen in competitive poultry shows. As a true bantam, all Sebrights are very small in stature; males weigh an average of 22 ounces (625 grams) and females 20 oz (570 g). Their short backs, proportionally large breasts, and downward–pointing wings combine to create an angular, jaunty look.
All Sebrights have plumage that is laced around the edges evenly with black, on a base of either dark gold or whitish silver. Sebrights have unfeathered legs with slate–blue skin, and their beaks are ideally a dark horn color. Sebright roosters carry a rose comb covered with fine points, and a small spike that sweeps back from the head (called a leader). Combs, earlobes and wattles were originally a purple colour referred to in the fancy as mulberry, but today are often bright red though mulberry is still desired according to the standards in most countries. Some breeders consider hen feathering to have an adverse effect on the fertility of male Sebrights, and may use roosters that don't carry the trait for breeding purposes, despite their automatic disqualification in shows.
Characteristically, Sebrights are only one of a few chicken breeds in which the roosters are hen feathered, meaning they have none of the long, sickle–shaped feathers common in most roosters that appear in the tail, neck and saddle. Due to the unique characteristic hen feathering, molecular biologists have found the Sebright bantam a useful model organism in the study of sex hormones. This is because they carry a mutation that causes the tissues of their skin to convert an unusually large amount of male sex hormones (androgens) into female sex hormones (estrogens).
They are kind birds but the male Sebright may get protective around hens and may turn on its own owners like all roosters may do. And due to their light, flighty nature it might be best to keep them contained to a smaller, fenced off area. Sebrights often will live happily living amongst other breeds as well. Sebrights are not prolific egglayers and hens are only expected to produce 60-80 creamy-white eggs each season.
Husbandry:
Sebrights are neither prolific egg layers, nor outstanding meat birds. They can prove to be particularly difficult to raise, especially for beginners. Hens rarely go broody and chicks usually have high mortality rates. Adults are generally hardy birds, but are especially susceptible to Marek's disease.
In temperament, Sebrights are friendly and actively social birds. Males are not known to be aggressive, but Sebrights in general, like most small chickens, are somewhat skittish birds. Due to their small size and relatively large wings, they are one of a minority of chicken breeds that retains a strong flying ability. Thus, most keepers keep Sebrights in confinement rather than allowing them to free range. Due to their genetic make-up, males may on occasion be born infertile, further complicating breeding.
Colors: http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGP/Sebr/BRKSebrights.html
The first poultry breed to have its own specialist club for enthusiasts, Sebrights were admitted to poultry
exhibition standards not long after their establishment. Today, they are among the most popular of bantam breeds. Despite their popularity, Sebrights are often difficult to breed, and the inheritance of certain unique characteristics the breed carries has been studied scientifically. As a largely ornamental chicken, they lay tiny, white eggs and are not kept for meat production.
History:
Background Sir John Saunders Sebright (1767–1846) was the 7th Sebright Baronet, and a Member of Parliament for Hertfordshire. In addition to breeding chickens, cattle and other animals, Sir John wrote several influential pamphlets on animal keeping and breeding: The Art of Improving the Breeds of Domestic Animals (1809), Observations upon Hawking (1826), and Observations upon the Instinct of Animals (1836).
Charles Darwin read Sir John's 1809 pamphlet, and was impressed with a passage that elaborated on how "the weak and the unhealthy do not live to propagate their infirmities". These writings, along with Darwin's correspondence via their mutual friend William Yarrell, aided Darwin in the inception of Darwin's theory of natural selection. Darwin's seminal work On the Origin of Species, first published in 1859, cited Sir John's experiments in pigeon breeding, and recalled "That most skilful breeder, Sir John Sebright, used to say, with respect to pigeons, that 'he would produce any given feather in three years, but it would take him six years to obtain head and beak. Darwin also cited Sir John extensively regarding the Sebright bantam, as well as pigeon and dog breeding, in his 1868 work Variation of Plants and Animals Under Domestication, his 1871 The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex, and his book on Natural Selection (which was not published in his lifetime).
Development:
With the breed that carries his name, John Sebright intentionally set out to create a very small bantam chicken with laced plumage similar to the laced variety of Polish chickens. Although the exact makeup of the breed is uncertain, he is thought to have crossed British, Hamburgh, Nankin and Polish birds with a base of Rosecombs before achieving a laced chicken that would breed true. After the breed's establishment circa 1810, Sebright founded The Sebright Bantam Club, which was the very first individual breed association for chickens. The breed has appeared in the American Poultry Association's Standard of Perfection since the first edition in 1874. Today, the breed is one of the ten most popular bantam chickens, according to the American Bantam Association
Characteristics:
In accordance with the intentions of their creator, the Sebright is an ornamental bantam, and is commonly seen in competitive poultry shows. As a true bantam, all Sebrights are very small in stature; males weigh an average of 22 ounces (625 grams) and females 20 oz (570 g). Their short backs, proportionally large breasts, and downward–pointing wings combine to create an angular, jaunty look.
All Sebrights have plumage that is laced around the edges evenly with black, on a base of either dark gold or whitish silver. Sebrights have unfeathered legs with slate–blue skin, and their beaks are ideally a dark horn color. Sebright roosters carry a rose comb covered with fine points, and a small spike that sweeps back from the head (called a leader). Combs, earlobes and wattles were originally a purple colour referred to in the fancy as mulberry, but today are often bright red though mulberry is still desired according to the standards in most countries. Some breeders consider hen feathering to have an adverse effect on the fertility of male Sebrights, and may use roosters that don't carry the trait for breeding purposes, despite their automatic disqualification in shows.
Characteristically, Sebrights are only one of a few chicken breeds in which the roosters are hen feathered, meaning they have none of the long, sickle–shaped feathers common in most roosters that appear in the tail, neck and saddle. Due to the unique characteristic hen feathering, molecular biologists have found the Sebright bantam a useful model organism in the study of sex hormones. This is because they carry a mutation that causes the tissues of their skin to convert an unusually large amount of male sex hormones (androgens) into female sex hormones (estrogens).
They are kind birds but the male Sebright may get protective around hens and may turn on its own owners like all roosters may do. And due to their light, flighty nature it might be best to keep them contained to a smaller, fenced off area. Sebrights often will live happily living amongst other breeds as well. Sebrights are not prolific egglayers and hens are only expected to produce 60-80 creamy-white eggs each season.
Husbandry:
Sebrights are neither prolific egg layers, nor outstanding meat birds. They can prove to be particularly difficult to raise, especially for beginners. Hens rarely go broody and chicks usually have high mortality rates. Adults are generally hardy birds, but are especially susceptible to Marek's disease.
In temperament, Sebrights are friendly and actively social birds. Males are not known to be aggressive, but Sebrights in general, like most small chickens, are somewhat skittish birds. Due to their small size and relatively large wings, they are one of a minority of chicken breeds that retains a strong flying ability. Thus, most keepers keep Sebrights in confinement rather than allowing them to free range. Due to their genetic make-up, males may on occasion be born infertile, further complicating breeding.
Colors: http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGP/Sebr/BRKSebrights.html
Sicilian Buttercup
The Sicilian Buttercup is a breed of domestic chicken from the island of Sicily. The breed was imported to the United States in the 19th century, and to Britain and Australia early in the 20th century. It derives from the indigenous Siciliana breed of Sicily, but long separation from the original stock has led to marked differences between the two
History:
Gallus turcicus, from the Ornithologiae tomus alter of Ulisse Aldrovandi (1522–1605) The Siciliana breed of Sicily appears to derive from ancient inter-breeding of local birds with North African stock such as the rose-combed Berbera breed or the Tripolitana described by Tucci. These birds may have been similar to the "Gallus turcicus" described by Ulisse Aldrovandi in 1600. Similar chickens are depicted in 16th-century paintings in the Vatican Museums and the Galleria Borghese in Rome, and in Florence and Paris.
In about 1863 or 1877, a certain Cephas Dawes of Dedham, Mass, captain of the Frutiere, was loading oranges in Sicily and bought a number of chickens to provide meat on his homeward journey. Some of these continued to lay well during the voyage, and were kept for eggs instead. Some of them were later sold to one C. Carroll Loring, also of Dedham, who became the first breeder of what would become the Sicilian Buttercup. All American Buttercups, however, descend from a later shipment of hatchlings, in 1892.
Characteristics:
The golden color and cup-shaped comb are the basis for the very descriptive name. The comb is a cup-shaped crown with a complete circle of medium sized regular points. The male and female do not look alike in coloring. The males are a rich, brilliant orange red with some black spangles in the feather of the body fluff and cape feathers at the base of the hackle; with lustrous, greenish black tail. The base color of the female is buff with all feathers on the body marked by parallel rows of black elongated spangles, giving the hen an appearance of being beautifully spotted and suggesting a ringneck pheasant hen. Skin color is yellow and shanks and toes are a willow green. Eggs are small and can be colored anywhere from white to heavily tinted. They are good fliers and free-ranging Buttercups will often be seen perching in elevated areas such as fencetops, haylofts, trees, and arbors.
Colors: http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGA/BCup/BRKButtercup.html
History:
Gallus turcicus, from the Ornithologiae tomus alter of Ulisse Aldrovandi (1522–1605) The Siciliana breed of Sicily appears to derive from ancient inter-breeding of local birds with North African stock such as the rose-combed Berbera breed or the Tripolitana described by Tucci. These birds may have been similar to the "Gallus turcicus" described by Ulisse Aldrovandi in 1600. Similar chickens are depicted in 16th-century paintings in the Vatican Museums and the Galleria Borghese in Rome, and in Florence and Paris.
In about 1863 or 1877, a certain Cephas Dawes of Dedham, Mass, captain of the Frutiere, was loading oranges in Sicily and bought a number of chickens to provide meat on his homeward journey. Some of these continued to lay well during the voyage, and were kept for eggs instead. Some of them were later sold to one C. Carroll Loring, also of Dedham, who became the first breeder of what would become the Sicilian Buttercup. All American Buttercups, however, descend from a later shipment of hatchlings, in 1892.
Characteristics:
The golden color and cup-shaped comb are the basis for the very descriptive name. The comb is a cup-shaped crown with a complete circle of medium sized regular points. The male and female do not look alike in coloring. The males are a rich, brilliant orange red with some black spangles in the feather of the body fluff and cape feathers at the base of the hackle; with lustrous, greenish black tail. The base color of the female is buff with all feathers on the body marked by parallel rows of black elongated spangles, giving the hen an appearance of being beautifully spotted and suggesting a ringneck pheasant hen. Skin color is yellow and shanks and toes are a willow green. Eggs are small and can be colored anywhere from white to heavily tinted. They are good fliers and free-ranging Buttercups will often be seen perching in elevated areas such as fencetops, haylofts, trees, and arbors.
Colors: http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGA/BCup/BRKButtercup.html
Stars or Sex Links
Stars are "sex link" chickens, meaning they're bred specifically so that males and females are different colors when they hatch. Females are egg-laying machines that continue to lay well in the heat and cold, when many others slow down. The males are said to be good "fryers". Stars are not recognized by the American Poultry Association and are just one of many hybrid sex-link crosses available on the market today.
Stars are "sex link" chickens, meaning they're bred specifically so that males and females are different colors when they hatch. Females are egg-laying machines that continue to lay well in the heat and cold, when many others slow down. The males are said to be good "fryers". Stars are not recognized by the American Poultry Association and are just one of many hybrid sex-link crosses available on the market today.
We had a Sex Link Chicken, named Rachel, she was the best pet chicken we ever had!
I remember on a cold fall day, she would jump in our lap and we would put her in our coats to keep her warm (she would make a puring like sound :) We had her for about 4 years and lost her at old age :(
Colors: http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGP/Sex-links/BRKSexLink.html
Stars are "sex link" chickens, meaning they're bred specifically so that males and females are different colors when they hatch. Females are egg-laying machines that continue to lay well in the heat and cold, when many others slow down. The males are said to be good "fryers". Stars are not recognized by the American Poultry Association and are just one of many hybrid sex-link crosses available on the market today.
We had a Sex Link Chicken, named Rachel, she was the best pet chicken we ever had!
I remember on a cold fall day, she would jump in our lap and we would put her in our coats to keep her warm (she would make a puring like sound :) We had her for about 4 years and lost her at old age :(
Colors: http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGP/Sex-links/BRKSexLink.html
Sultan
The Sultan is a breed of chicken originating in Turkey. Its English moniker is directly culled from the original Turkish language name of Serai-Tavuk, which translates as "fowls of the Sultan". They have always been primarily ornamental, having been kept in the gardens of Ottoman sultanate. In the West they are bred for competitive showing as part of poultry fancy, and are generally a rare sight.
The breed was first exported from its native country in 1854, when a Ms. Elizabeth Watts of Hampstead, London brought a small flock to Britain. It was seen in North America by 1867, and was recognized officially by acceptance into the American Poultry Association's Standard of Perfection in 1874.
Sultans have a great deal of decorative plumage, including large, puffy crests, beards, long tails, and profuse foot feathering. Their small, V-shaped combs are almost entirely hidden under feathering. Sultans are also one of a minority of breeds to have five toes on each foot. With males weighing approximately 2.7 kilos (6 pounds) and hens 2 kilos (4 pounds), they are the smallest of the large breeds of chickens. They also have a bantam version.
Sultans appear in three varieties: Black, Blue, and White, with White being the most well known. Hens lay small white eggs at a slow rate, and do not generally go broody. In temperament, Sultans are quite docile, friendly chickens, and are content at being kept in confinement. Most Sultan breeders take care to raise them in dry bedding in order to protect their elaborate feathering, especially on the feet. They may also be bullied somewhat if kept in flocks with more active breeds.
The breed was first exported from its native country in 1854, when a Ms. Elizabeth Watts of Hampstead, London brought a small flock to Britain. It was seen in North America by 1867, and was recognized officially by acceptance into the American Poultry Association's Standard of Perfection in 1874.
Sultans have a great deal of decorative plumage, including large, puffy crests, beards, long tails, and profuse foot feathering. Their small, V-shaped combs are almost entirely hidden under feathering. Sultans are also one of a minority of breeds to have five toes on each foot. With males weighing approximately 2.7 kilos (6 pounds) and hens 2 kilos (4 pounds), they are the smallest of the large breeds of chickens. They also have a bantam version.
Sultans appear in three varieties: Black, Blue, and White, with White being the most well known. Hens lay small white eggs at a slow rate, and do not generally go broody. In temperament, Sultans are quite docile, friendly chickens, and are content at being kept in confinement. Most Sultan breeders take care to raise them in dry bedding in order to protect their elaborate feathering, especially on the feet. They may also be bullied somewhat if kept in flocks with more active breeds.
Sumatra
The Sumatra is a breed of chicken native of the island of Sumatra. Chickens were originally imported from Sumatra in 1847 to the U.S. and Europe as fighting cocks for the purpose of cockfighting, but today the breed is primarily kept for exhibition. 1883 is the year the Black Sumatra was first inducted into the American Standard of Perfection.
Characteristics:
Sumatras are primarily an ornamental breed kept for their attractive plumage. Most often they are pitch black with a green sheen throughout the body and tail. The breed additionally comes in blue and white varieties. the Blue sumatras offspring will commonly be dark blue splash or sometimes blue. Males usually weigh between 4 and 5 pounds, and females weigh between 31⁄2 and 4 pounds. Hens lay about 100 white eggs a year. Both males and females have no wattles, and males often have multiple spurs. The breed is considered a primitive one; the Sumatra retains a strong flying ability, unlike most modern chicken breeds. The males will fight for dominance, but unlike most breeds, they usually do not fight to the death.
A unique feature of the Sumatra is that males have multiple spurs, with Sumatra sometimes having as many as 3 spurs per leg.
Colors: Officially recognized: Black only. Other unofficial colors: Blue, Splash http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGP/Sumatra/BRKSumatras.html
Characteristics:
Sumatras are primarily an ornamental breed kept for their attractive plumage. Most often they are pitch black with a green sheen throughout the body and tail. The breed additionally comes in blue and white varieties. the Blue sumatras offspring will commonly be dark blue splash or sometimes blue. Males usually weigh between 4 and 5 pounds, and females weigh between 31⁄2 and 4 pounds. Hens lay about 100 white eggs a year. Both males and females have no wattles, and males often have multiple spurs. The breed is considered a primitive one; the Sumatra retains a strong flying ability, unlike most modern chicken breeds. The males will fight for dominance, but unlike most breeds, they usually do not fight to the death.
A unique feature of the Sumatra is that males have multiple spurs, with Sumatra sometimes having as many as 3 spurs per leg.
Colors: Officially recognized: Black only. Other unofficial colors: Blue, Splash http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGP/Sumatra/BRKSumatras.html
Sussex
The Sussex chicken is a dual purpose breed that originating in England around the time of the Roman conquest of Britain in AD 43 that is a popular backyard chicken in many countries. They come in eight colors (with a couple more being developed) and have a bantam version at 1/4 size; the bantams may be any of the eight colors.
A Sussex breed club was formed in 1903.
The colors found in Sussex chickens are: Brown, Buff, Light, Red, Speckled, Silver, White and Coronation. The Sussex chicken, whatever color, should be graceful with a long, broad, flat back and a rectangular build, the tail should be at a 45 degree angle from the body. The eyes should be red in the darker varieties but orange in the lighter one and they sport a medium sized, single, erect comb. The earlobes are red and the legs and skin white in every variety. Cocks should weigh approx 9 lbs, and the hens (females) 7 lbs. The Brown and red varieties are rare but the others are more common.
Brown and red, Light, Buff and Silver:
The light Sussex has a white body with a black tail and black wing tips. Its neck is white, striped with black and has a very striking appearance. The feathers around the neck are called hackle feathers and each one is black with a fine white lace around the edge. The buff is ginger where the light is white. If showing the bird, a person must be careful to keep it out of strong sunlight, as the color will fade. The Silver Sussex has a similar neck to the previous two variants, except that the body is black and the majority of the feathers on the body have silver lacing.
White: Pure white throughout and is very rare.
Speckled: The feathers of the Speckled variety all have a mix of mahogany and black with white tips. Sometimes the amount of white increases as the bird moults each year. This is the most common variety in the US. However, the Light is far more common in the UK.
Coronation and Lavender: The Coronation sussex is essentially the same as the light, but the black markings are replaced by pigeon grey/blue. This grey/blue is described as 'lavender' by poultry breeders and is caused by a gene that dilutes the black color. The Coronation Sussex only existed in small numbers and by the end of the second World War, no more Coronation Sussex existed. The Bantam size was re-created in the 1980s and the Large version only exists in small numbers. There is a buff coronation, but it is quite rare and not recognized.
It should be mentioned that pure sussex will sometimes throw offspring, with white Colombian patterns replacing the black.This will happen only if the Coronation birds carry the blue genes.
The Lavender sussex is the same but a bit lighter and no buff. These are also known as Coronation and the best examples are found in Australia, this version of Coronation will breed true because of the lavender gene.
Buff Colombian: The Buff Colombian sussex is like the light sussex but where the light sussex is white the golden sussex is a light brown colour and has black on the top of its back and the same places as the light sussex.
Characteristics: The Sussex chicken is an alert, docile breed that can adapt to any surrounding, they are comfortable in both free range or confined spaces and in the presence of humans. The breed sometimes (but not very often) goes broody, the speckled version is most likely to do so. They are good foragers.
Color pic's: http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGP/Sussex/BRKSussex.html
More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sussex_(chicken)
A Sussex breed club was formed in 1903.
The colors found in Sussex chickens are: Brown, Buff, Light, Red, Speckled, Silver, White and Coronation. The Sussex chicken, whatever color, should be graceful with a long, broad, flat back and a rectangular build, the tail should be at a 45 degree angle from the body. The eyes should be red in the darker varieties but orange in the lighter one and they sport a medium sized, single, erect comb. The earlobes are red and the legs and skin white in every variety. Cocks should weigh approx 9 lbs, and the hens (females) 7 lbs. The Brown and red varieties are rare but the others are more common.
Brown and red, Light, Buff and Silver:
The light Sussex has a white body with a black tail and black wing tips. Its neck is white, striped with black and has a very striking appearance. The feathers around the neck are called hackle feathers and each one is black with a fine white lace around the edge. The buff is ginger where the light is white. If showing the bird, a person must be careful to keep it out of strong sunlight, as the color will fade. The Silver Sussex has a similar neck to the previous two variants, except that the body is black and the majority of the feathers on the body have silver lacing.
White: Pure white throughout and is very rare.
Speckled: The feathers of the Speckled variety all have a mix of mahogany and black with white tips. Sometimes the amount of white increases as the bird moults each year. This is the most common variety in the US. However, the Light is far more common in the UK.
Coronation and Lavender: The Coronation sussex is essentially the same as the light, but the black markings are replaced by pigeon grey/blue. This grey/blue is described as 'lavender' by poultry breeders and is caused by a gene that dilutes the black color. The Coronation Sussex only existed in small numbers and by the end of the second World War, no more Coronation Sussex existed. The Bantam size was re-created in the 1980s and the Large version only exists in small numbers. There is a buff coronation, but it is quite rare and not recognized.
It should be mentioned that pure sussex will sometimes throw offspring, with white Colombian patterns replacing the black.This will happen only if the Coronation birds carry the blue genes.
The Lavender sussex is the same but a bit lighter and no buff. These are also known as Coronation and the best examples are found in Australia, this version of Coronation will breed true because of the lavender gene.
Buff Colombian: The Buff Colombian sussex is like the light sussex but where the light sussex is white the golden sussex is a light brown colour and has black on the top of its back and the same places as the light sussex.
Characteristics: The Sussex chicken is an alert, docile breed that can adapt to any surrounding, they are comfortable in both free range or confined spaces and in the presence of humans. The breed sometimes (but not very often) goes broody, the speckled version is most likely to do so. They are good foragers.
Color pic's: http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGP/Sussex/BRKSussex.html
More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sussex_(chicken)
White-Faced Black Spanish
The White-Faced Black Spanish is a Spanish breed of chicken. It is thought to be the oldest breed of fowl in the Mediterranean class. The British have records dating back to 1572 referring to this chicken. This breed was admitted into the American Poultry Association in 1874. This breed originated in Spain, and came to the Americas through the Caribbean Islands.
Nicknames of this breed include "Clown Chickens," but they were also called, "The Fowls of Seville." They were very popular in the South during Colonial times.
Characteristics:
The have glossey black plumage, weigh 6-7 pounds, and are closely related to the Minorca and Castilian breeds. Their most distinguishing feature are their white, low hanging ear lobes, which are actually overdeveloped. They have a single comb, four toes, and no crest. Hens are non-setters that lay eggs that are large, and chalk white in color, with an average of three a week, 150-180 eggs a year.
More pic's
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGP/Spanish/BRKWFBS.html
Nicknames of this breed include "Clown Chickens," but they were also called, "The Fowls of Seville." They were very popular in the South during Colonial times.
Characteristics:
The have glossey black plumage, weigh 6-7 pounds, and are closely related to the Minorca and Castilian breeds. Their most distinguishing feature are their white, low hanging ear lobes, which are actually overdeveloped. They have a single comb, four toes, and no crest. Hens are non-setters that lay eggs that are large, and chalk white in color, with an average of three a week, 150-180 eggs a year.
More pic's
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGP/Spanish/BRKWFBS.html
Wyandotte
The Wyandotte is a breed of chicken originating in the United States. The first examples of the breed appeared in 1870s. Wyandottes are a docile, dual-purpose breed kept for their brown eggs and for meat. They appear in a wide variety of color patterns, and are popular show birds. The Wyandotte lays pale brown or tan eggs and usually has a white ring of feathers around its neck. Wyandotte hens are devoted mothers.
Appearance: The Wyandotte is a medium sized bird with a rose comb and clean legs. The chicken feathers are broad and loosely fitting. The area around the vent is very fluffy. The legs are yellow, although some silver laced may have grey.
Colors: There are eight colors recognized by the APA (American Poultry Association) which are golden laced, silver laced, white, black, buff, Columbian, partridge and silver penciled. In bantams there is also buff Columbian, black breasted red, blue red, lemon blue, barred,brown red, and birchen that are recognized by the American Bantam Association. However, there are more colors than that which are either recognised by similar organisations in other countries like the PCGB (Poultry Club of Great Britain). These colors include blue laced red and buff laced. Overall there are 17 colors. The cock is a different color. It is tan with a long neck and a purple head. They are often called the veiny roaster due to the visibility of the veins through the dark matted feathers that end at the neck.
Utility aspects: The hens (females) will lay around 200 eggs a year with an exceptional hen laying around 240 eggs a year. The eggs are brown or tinted. The hens weigh around 6 pounds and the cocks weigh around 8½ pounds. The hens also make great setters. It is sometimes difficult for natural insemination to occur, due to the number and thickness of feathers in the tail area. For the same reason, they are prone to accumulation of feces on vent-area feathers that needs to be regularly washed off, or the vent could become clogged.
Variations: Silver Laced: The silver laced wyandotte has white feathers with black edges to every feather, an effect called lacing. The tail is black and they should have yellow legs. The silver laced was developed in New York state in the early 1870s and was admitted to the standard in 1883. The silver laced wyandotte was the base for all other colors.
Golden-Laced Wyandotte hen Golden Laced: The golden laced wyandotte is a golden color with black around the edge of every feather and black tail. Joseph McKeen of Wisconsin was the originator of the Golden Laced Wyandotte. In 1880 he crossed Silver Laced Wyandotte females with a large "Black Red" patterned fowl of unknown origin called the Winnebago. The variety was admitted to the American Standard in 1888.
The Blue Laced Red is one of the rarest varieties Blue Laced Red: The blue laced red is a buff/red color with a blue that looks just like grey around the edge of every feather.
Buff Laced: The buff laced is buff but with white around the edge of the feathers.
White: The white is white all over. The whites are the rarest colour in the UK.
Black: The black is black all over.
Buff: The buff is a buff color all over. A buff is like a ginger orange colour.
Columbian: Columbian is white, but with a black tail, black wing tips and the neck is mainly black with some white.
Partridge: A red color but with three black stripes, meeting at the middle of the feather and then going outwards at an angle in the hen, and the cock looks like a typical farmyard cock.
Silver Pencilled: Like the partridge, but with a silver undercolor in the hen and the cock is a white color but with bits of black in there until the tail and the wing which are black.
Blue: The hen is blue all over but the cock is black with the tail and wing blue on some birds.
Barred: The barred, in both genders, has feathers which have black and white stripes across the width of the feather, all over the body.
Mille Fleur: The mille fleur wyandotte is a dark brown color with black crescents with white spots on the tips.
Buff Columbian: Like the Columbian except buff.
Red: The red wyandotte is a dark red/brown all over. It is a smaller chicken
More pic's
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGP/Wyand/BRKWyand.html
Appearance: The Wyandotte is a medium sized bird with a rose comb and clean legs. The chicken feathers are broad and loosely fitting. The area around the vent is very fluffy. The legs are yellow, although some silver laced may have grey.
Colors: There are eight colors recognized by the APA (American Poultry Association) which are golden laced, silver laced, white, black, buff, Columbian, partridge and silver penciled. In bantams there is also buff Columbian, black breasted red, blue red, lemon blue, barred,brown red, and birchen that are recognized by the American Bantam Association. However, there are more colors than that which are either recognised by similar organisations in other countries like the PCGB (Poultry Club of Great Britain). These colors include blue laced red and buff laced. Overall there are 17 colors. The cock is a different color. It is tan with a long neck and a purple head. They are often called the veiny roaster due to the visibility of the veins through the dark matted feathers that end at the neck.
Utility aspects: The hens (females) will lay around 200 eggs a year with an exceptional hen laying around 240 eggs a year. The eggs are brown or tinted. The hens weigh around 6 pounds and the cocks weigh around 8½ pounds. The hens also make great setters. It is sometimes difficult for natural insemination to occur, due to the number and thickness of feathers in the tail area. For the same reason, they are prone to accumulation of feces on vent-area feathers that needs to be regularly washed off, or the vent could become clogged.
Variations: Silver Laced: The silver laced wyandotte has white feathers with black edges to every feather, an effect called lacing. The tail is black and they should have yellow legs. The silver laced was developed in New York state in the early 1870s and was admitted to the standard in 1883. The silver laced wyandotte was the base for all other colors.
Golden-Laced Wyandotte hen Golden Laced: The golden laced wyandotte is a golden color with black around the edge of every feather and black tail. Joseph McKeen of Wisconsin was the originator of the Golden Laced Wyandotte. In 1880 he crossed Silver Laced Wyandotte females with a large "Black Red" patterned fowl of unknown origin called the Winnebago. The variety was admitted to the American Standard in 1888.
The Blue Laced Red is one of the rarest varieties Blue Laced Red: The blue laced red is a buff/red color with a blue that looks just like grey around the edge of every feather.
Buff Laced: The buff laced is buff but with white around the edge of the feathers.
White: The white is white all over. The whites are the rarest colour in the UK.
Black: The black is black all over.
Buff: The buff is a buff color all over. A buff is like a ginger orange colour.
Columbian: Columbian is white, but with a black tail, black wing tips and the neck is mainly black with some white.
Partridge: A red color but with three black stripes, meeting at the middle of the feather and then going outwards at an angle in the hen, and the cock looks like a typical farmyard cock.
Silver Pencilled: Like the partridge, but with a silver undercolor in the hen and the cock is a white color but with bits of black in there until the tail and the wing which are black.
Blue: The hen is blue all over but the cock is black with the tail and wing blue on some birds.
Barred: The barred, in both genders, has feathers which have black and white stripes across the width of the feather, all over the body.
Mille Fleur: The mille fleur wyandotte is a dark brown color with black crescents with white spots on the tips.
Buff Columbian: Like the Columbian except buff.
Red: The red wyandotte is a dark red/brown all over. It is a smaller chicken
More pic's
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGP/Wyand/BRKWyand.html
Yokohama
The Yokohama is a breed of chicken that originated from Japanese breeds. Yokohama is not where the breed originated, but it is the port where a French Missionary named Girad first exported the breed to Europe where further breeding would create the Yokohama known today.
It was developed from two different Japanese Cultural Monument breeds, the principal progenitor is the Minohiki or "Saddle Dragger". Some percentage of the ancestral founders were probably another Japanese treasure called the Onagadori, but it is likely that at the time of the founders' introduction to Europe, the lesser known Minohiki was simply not as highly celebrated as the Onagadori. Consequently, many Minohiki were likely confused with Onagadori. Regardless of which of these important breeds were more significant in the development of this unique fowl,the ancestors of today's Yokohama were imported from Yokohama, Japan. In appearance, it most closely resembles the Minohiki breed, and to a lesser extent to the European Phoenix Breed, which probably shares many of the same ancestors. The European Phoenix however, has more Onagadori and less Minohiki in its genetic makeup, whilst the opposite is true for the Yokohama Fowl. The Black Sumatran Fowl is a close relative of the Minohiki and Yokohama.
Characteristics: The Yokohama is primarily ornamental for many but it is actually an excellent breed for suburban poultry enthusiasts because of its calm demeanor. Better strains of this important breed are also relatively quiet in voice. It lays cream or tinted eggs. If fed a typical lay pellet it will only produce on an average, one egg a week. Fed a higher quality ration with generous proportions of fish and animal protein and fat, it produces an egg a day and all through the winter. The Yokohama is a relatively small breed,only four to five pounds at the very largest. It comes both in the bantam and standard sizes. It has yellow skin, and can have either a walnut or a pea comb.
The most distinguished feature of this fowl is its unusual plumage, unique in pattern from all other domestic fowl. It is also celebrated for its long, elegant tail and tail coverts called saddle feathers. The primary of emphasis for breeders with Yokohama cocks is on the length of the tail feathers. Fanciers typically try to keep the birds in conditions that help prevent them from moulting in order to encourage tail growth. Under the right conditions the tail should increase one meter (three feet) every year.
More pic's
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGP/Phoen/BRKYoko.html
It was developed from two different Japanese Cultural Monument breeds, the principal progenitor is the Minohiki or "Saddle Dragger". Some percentage of the ancestral founders were probably another Japanese treasure called the Onagadori, but it is likely that at the time of the founders' introduction to Europe, the lesser known Minohiki was simply not as highly celebrated as the Onagadori. Consequently, many Minohiki were likely confused with Onagadori. Regardless of which of these important breeds were more significant in the development of this unique fowl,the ancestors of today's Yokohama were imported from Yokohama, Japan. In appearance, it most closely resembles the Minohiki breed, and to a lesser extent to the European Phoenix Breed, which probably shares many of the same ancestors. The European Phoenix however, has more Onagadori and less Minohiki in its genetic makeup, whilst the opposite is true for the Yokohama Fowl. The Black Sumatran Fowl is a close relative of the Minohiki and Yokohama.
Characteristics: The Yokohama is primarily ornamental for many but it is actually an excellent breed for suburban poultry enthusiasts because of its calm demeanor. Better strains of this important breed are also relatively quiet in voice. It lays cream or tinted eggs. If fed a typical lay pellet it will only produce on an average, one egg a week. Fed a higher quality ration with generous proportions of fish and animal protein and fat, it produces an egg a day and all through the winter. The Yokohama is a relatively small breed,only four to five pounds at the very largest. It comes both in the bantam and standard sizes. It has yellow skin, and can have either a walnut or a pea comb.
The most distinguished feature of this fowl is its unusual plumage, unique in pattern from all other domestic fowl. It is also celebrated for its long, elegant tail and tail coverts called saddle feathers. The primary of emphasis for breeders with Yokohama cocks is on the length of the tail feathers. Fanciers typically try to keep the birds in conditions that help prevent them from moulting in order to encourage tail growth. Under the right conditions the tail should increase one meter (three feet) every year.
More pic's
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGP/Phoen/BRKYoko.html