Heritage chickens have an important role to play even though they may be no longer commercially viable. They add genetic diversity to the chicken world and should be saved from extinction for this reason alone. These heritage breeds have strong survival instincts. Being both productive and attractive in appearance, they have a positive contribution to smaller landholdings and backyards.
These breeds are often referred to as utility breeds as they supply plenty of eggs and also have fleshy carcases when killed for the table. They are fertile and can raise their own chickens thus family flocks are replenished with little trouble. As they forage for much of their food, they do not require a lot of supplementary feeding. Some of these old-fashioned breeds are now rare but others are more common.
One of the very old utility breeds is the Derbyshire Redcap. The 'redcap' refers to the magnificent comb which may be over three inches in length with a width of two inches. It is a rose comb with a short leader out the back and a top which is covered with fine points. In exhibition birds, the comb must not hang over the eyes and should be free of hollows. The plumage is just as stunning.
The plumage of the hens is a rich nut-brown with half-moon spangles on the feathers of the body. Cocks may be a deep chestnut to black-red. The plumage on the neck and hackles is dark orange. They have black tails and red earlobes and wattles. It is an active bird that doesn't like being kept penned. It forages vigorously. Although the hens are excellent layers, they do not go broody readily. The meat is white and tastes more like game.
Another old breed came originally from northern China. This is the Croad Langshan. It looks much like the Black Cochin with glossy black plumage enhanced by a beetle-green sheen. With short legs and deep, fleshy breasts, they make great table birds. There are also blue and white varieties of the Croad Langshan. From the side, they have a distinctive U-shape as the tail is on a level with the head.
Croad Langshan hens have great maternal instincts and are able to cover a dozen eggs when brooding. They are quiet, docile birds which make great pets and are quick to mature. They have feathered legs and feet which can become dirty and matted in wet, muddy conditions.
Another very pretty bird is the Pheasant Fowl, so named for the spangled feathering of the hen. The tip of each feather has a half-moon spot. These birds are very hardy, able to withstand the harshest winters. They are rather wild and much prefer roosting in trees to being confined. They are slow to mature and pullets won't begin to lay until about seven months old.
They have a rose comb, red wattles and white earlobes. The hens have good maternal instincts and the chicks are strong and sturdy. Heritage breeds such as the Derbyshire Redcap, Croad Langshan and Pheasant Fowl are gratifying to breed and add color to a poultry run. Heritage chickens are well worth keeping in a backyard.
These breeds are often referred to as utility breeds as they supply plenty of eggs and also have fleshy carcases when killed for the table. They are fertile and can raise their own chickens thus family flocks are replenished with little trouble. As they forage for much of their food, they do not require a lot of supplementary feeding. Some of these old-fashioned breeds are now rare but others are more common.
One of the very old utility breeds is the Derbyshire Redcap. The 'redcap' refers to the magnificent comb which may be over three inches in length with a width of two inches. It is a rose comb with a short leader out the back and a top which is covered with fine points. In exhibition birds, the comb must not hang over the eyes and should be free of hollows. The plumage is just as stunning.
The plumage of the hens is a rich nut-brown with half-moon spangles on the feathers of the body. Cocks may be a deep chestnut to black-red. The plumage on the neck and hackles is dark orange. They have black tails and red earlobes and wattles. It is an active bird that doesn't like being kept penned. It forages vigorously. Although the hens are excellent layers, they do not go broody readily. The meat is white and tastes more like game.
Another old breed came originally from northern China. This is the Croad Langshan. It looks much like the Black Cochin with glossy black plumage enhanced by a beetle-green sheen. With short legs and deep, fleshy breasts, they make great table birds. There are also blue and white varieties of the Croad Langshan. From the side, they have a distinctive U-shape as the tail is on a level with the head.
Croad Langshan hens have great maternal instincts and are able to cover a dozen eggs when brooding. They are quiet, docile birds which make great pets and are quick to mature. They have feathered legs and feet which can become dirty and matted in wet, muddy conditions.
Another very pretty bird is the Pheasant Fowl, so named for the spangled feathering of the hen. The tip of each feather has a half-moon spot. These birds are very hardy, able to withstand the harshest winters. They are rather wild and much prefer roosting in trees to being confined. They are slow to mature and pullets won't begin to lay until about seven months old.
They have a rose comb, red wattles and white earlobes. The hens have good maternal instincts and the chicks are strong and sturdy. Heritage breeds such as the Derbyshire Redcap, Croad Langshan and Pheasant Fowl are gratifying to breed and add color to a poultry run. Heritage chickens are well worth keeping in a backyard.
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For special gourmet breeds and Heritage chickens clink the info link to this site. You will find only the best poultry and eggs at http://www.whynotfarm.net.
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