The Advantages Of Owning Heritage Chickens
Raising heritage chickens has much to recommend it. Many of these older breeds are now endangered as they don't' have the qualities needed by commercial producers. Those who produce chicken meat and/or eggs need birds which mature quickly, have a high weight gain, don't go broody and lay almost continually.
While commercial breeders have gone to great lengths to breed birds for specific purposes the older breeds still have some wonderful qualities, especially as backyard birds. They also provide genetic diversity. Keeping these older breeds alive is important.
Dual purpose breeds were popular with families in days gone by. They laid enough eggs for a family. Hens would go broody occasionally and hatch out a new generation of chickens to take over from the older hens. The surplus roosters would fatten up and provide a meal at some stage. These older breeds instinctively knew how to forage and most manage quite well when allowed to forage for most of their needs.
Some breeds were slow to mature but had good longevity. The Sussex chicken is considered a heritage breed. It originated in the English county of Sussex and is a very ancient breed. There are now a number of varieties as regards colour. It was originally grown as a table bird, producing succulent, fleshy carcasses for consumption. Nowadays it is regarded as a dual purpose chicken.
The Sussex is a good producer and also very attractive. Cocks mature at around nine pounds. They have broad, flat backs, a single comb and white legs and feet. The Light Sussex is very striking. The body is white with black tail and wingtips. The feathers on the neck are also black but have a fine, white edging. The Buff Sussex will also bring grace and beauty to a backyard flock. It is a ginger colour where the Light Sussex is white. The earlobes are red.
Barneveld is a Dutch town and gives its name to the Barnevelder. These birds are quite heavy and lays large, brown eggs. It is popular for its ability to lay well through winter. The most common colouring is the original double-laced type which has dark brown feathers with a double row of lighter colour. This is only one of several colours available.
The Hamburg was developed in Holland and Germany before 1700. They are small chickens which are sometimes called 'everlayers' because of their egg-laying abilities. They have retained the alertness and suspicion which has enabled them to survive since their early development. There are ten varieties of Hamburg. The pencilled plumage of several of the types is very striking and the breed is popular with exhibitors.
These are hardy, active chickens with cocks reaching perhaps five pounds and hens being slightly lighter. They have a rose comb. They are quicker to mature than some heritage breeds. They are good layers although the eggs are on the small side. They fly quite well and can be difficult to confine. They do best if they are able to fend for themselves at least some of the time. Heritage chickens are great fun to own. These older breeds should be kept alive for their many positive qualities.
While commercial breeders have gone to great lengths to breed birds for specific purposes the older breeds still have some wonderful qualities, especially as backyard birds. They also provide genetic diversity. Keeping these older breeds alive is important.
Dual purpose breeds were popular with families in days gone by. They laid enough eggs for a family. Hens would go broody occasionally and hatch out a new generation of chickens to take over from the older hens. The surplus roosters would fatten up and provide a meal at some stage. These older breeds instinctively knew how to forage and most manage quite well when allowed to forage for most of their needs.
Some breeds were slow to mature but had good longevity. The Sussex chicken is considered a heritage breed. It originated in the English county of Sussex and is a very ancient breed. There are now a number of varieties as regards colour. It was originally grown as a table bird, producing succulent, fleshy carcasses for consumption. Nowadays it is regarded as a dual purpose chicken.
The Sussex is a good producer and also very attractive. Cocks mature at around nine pounds. They have broad, flat backs, a single comb and white legs and feet. The Light Sussex is very striking. The body is white with black tail and wingtips. The feathers on the neck are also black but have a fine, white edging. The Buff Sussex will also bring grace and beauty to a backyard flock. It is a ginger colour where the Light Sussex is white. The earlobes are red.
Barneveld is a Dutch town and gives its name to the Barnevelder. These birds are quite heavy and lays large, brown eggs. It is popular for its ability to lay well through winter. The most common colouring is the original double-laced type which has dark brown feathers with a double row of lighter colour. This is only one of several colours available.
The Hamburg was developed in Holland and Germany before 1700. They are small chickens which are sometimes called 'everlayers' because of their egg-laying abilities. They have retained the alertness and suspicion which has enabled them to survive since their early development. There are ten varieties of Hamburg. The pencilled plumage of several of the types is very striking and the breed is popular with exhibitors.
These are hardy, active chickens with cocks reaching perhaps five pounds and hens being slightly lighter. They have a rose comb. They are quicker to mature than some heritage breeds. They are good layers although the eggs are on the small side. They fly quite well and can be difficult to confine. They do best if they are able to fend for themselves at least some of the time. Heritage chickens are great fun to own. These older breeds should be kept alive for their many positive qualities.
About the Author:
When searching for quality heritage chickens health enthusiasts can find gourmet selections on our website at www.whynotfarm.net. For more details, go to the home page at http://www.whynotfarm.net now.
>
0 comments:
Post a Comment