Raising rare breed chickens is not a viable option for commercial producers of eggs and meat birds. In the days when most families had a few chickens, dual purpose varieties were prized, keeping a family supplied with eggs and providing an occasional bird for the table. Breeding has become highly specialized and older breeds cannot compete with the newer strains.
The Faverolle chicken is now rare. It was developed in the north of France in the middle of the 19th century. Faverolle is a town in the area. It is a dual purpose bird with some intriguing features. Both sexes have a profusion of fluffy feathers which puff out near the eyes (muffs) and form a beard under the beak. The feet are feathered and each has five toes as opposed to the more usual four toes.
Faverolle bantams are available. The standard size are big birds. Cocks reach eleven pounds in weight while hens are about nine pounds. This provides a very substantial carcass for the table. It is a true dual purpose as it produces abundant eggs. These are medium in size and creamy white to light brown in color.
This breed is the only one to have salmon coloring as one of its varieties. The plumage of the Salmon Faverolle hens is a pretty salmon-honey color laced with white. The breasts are white. However the cocks have black breasts. The saddle and wings of the cock shine in the sun like burnished copper. Their beautiful coloring would be enough to warrant owning these birds, quite apart from their other qualities.
The Silver-grey Dorking is also rare, dating back to Roman times. It is another five-toed bird. Despite having red ear-lobes, it lays white eggs and produces a large, firm carcass when dressed. It features in the background of both the Light Sussex and the Faverolle.
As well as producing delicious meat, the hens lay around 140 eggs per annum. The meat is white and the carcass has plenty of flesh. The legs are short and it has a large comb. The comb can get frostbitten during cold weather and shelter needs to be provided to prevent this.
As might be expected with heritage poultry, the Dorking prefers a free-range style of management. They are not aggressive birds and can be intimidated by others in a confined situation. If not fed well and allowed space to develop bones and muscles, they may become weedy. They are a visual asset to a chicken flock. The cocks have white saddles and hackles while the underparts are black. The Silver-grey reaches about nine pounds. The cuckoo, white, dark and red varieties are a little lighter. They make great pets as they are friendly and easy to tame.
Much smaller but also rare is the Campine. It is believed the Campine originated in Belgium in the district of the same name. Some Campines have beautiful golden or silver plumage while others have zigzag patterns. They are known largely for their large, white eggs. The maximum weight is about four to five pounds. They are alert, inquisitive chickens and are happy to be confined. They are susceptible to frostbite. They are economical to keep but are not recommended as pets. They need to be protected from the cold as they are not particularly hardy. By raising rare breed chickens you will be helping keep alive the birds which played a large part in the history of our ancestors.
The Faverolle chicken is now rare. It was developed in the north of France in the middle of the 19th century. Faverolle is a town in the area. It is a dual purpose bird with some intriguing features. Both sexes have a profusion of fluffy feathers which puff out near the eyes (muffs) and form a beard under the beak. The feet are feathered and each has five toes as opposed to the more usual four toes.
Faverolle bantams are available. The standard size are big birds. Cocks reach eleven pounds in weight while hens are about nine pounds. This provides a very substantial carcass for the table. It is a true dual purpose as it produces abundant eggs. These are medium in size and creamy white to light brown in color.
This breed is the only one to have salmon coloring as one of its varieties. The plumage of the Salmon Faverolle hens is a pretty salmon-honey color laced with white. The breasts are white. However the cocks have black breasts. The saddle and wings of the cock shine in the sun like burnished copper. Their beautiful coloring would be enough to warrant owning these birds, quite apart from their other qualities.
The Silver-grey Dorking is also rare, dating back to Roman times. It is another five-toed bird. Despite having red ear-lobes, it lays white eggs and produces a large, firm carcass when dressed. It features in the background of both the Light Sussex and the Faverolle.
As well as producing delicious meat, the hens lay around 140 eggs per annum. The meat is white and the carcass has plenty of flesh. The legs are short and it has a large comb. The comb can get frostbitten during cold weather and shelter needs to be provided to prevent this.
As might be expected with heritage poultry, the Dorking prefers a free-range style of management. They are not aggressive birds and can be intimidated by others in a confined situation. If not fed well and allowed space to develop bones and muscles, they may become weedy. They are a visual asset to a chicken flock. The cocks have white saddles and hackles while the underparts are black. The Silver-grey reaches about nine pounds. The cuckoo, white, dark and red varieties are a little lighter. They make great pets as they are friendly and easy to tame.
Much smaller but also rare is the Campine. It is believed the Campine originated in Belgium in the district of the same name. Some Campines have beautiful golden or silver plumage while others have zigzag patterns. They are known largely for their large, white eggs. The maximum weight is about four to five pounds. They are alert, inquisitive chickens and are happy to be confined. They are susceptible to frostbite. They are economical to keep but are not recommended as pets. They need to be protected from the cold as they are not particularly hardy. By raising rare breed chickens you will be helping keep alive the birds which played a large part in the history of our ancestors.
About the Author:
You can visit the website www.whynotfarm.net for more helpful information about Raise Rare Breed Chickens And Keep Our Heritage Alive
No comments:
Post a Comment