RED BROILER GRANGE SUPPLY’S MEAT BIRD 2015 GUIDE TO
The Red Broiler (also known as the Red Ranger) has a POULTRY BREEDS healthy growth rate but maintains a natural proportion of breast meat to leg meat. They reach slaughter weight around 12 weeks. Because these birds do grow at a more consistent rate, they have great livability rate (70%+) and can be free ranged until slaughter. Expect a final dress weight of 5-6.5 lbs.
This bird is most suitable for those customers looking to raise their own meat.
AMERAUCAUNA WHITE PEKIN
STANDARD BREED DOMESTICATED DUCK BREED
ASSORTED COLORS
Size: Medium 5-6lbs Size: Heavy 8-11lbs
Purpose: Egg Layer Purpose: Dual
Egg Color: Blue, Green or Pink Egg Color: White
Productivity: Average; 3 per week Productivity: 200+ eggs a year
Broody: No Broody: No
Confinement: Tolerates Well Confinement: Tolerates Well
Personality: Docile, Sweet, Personable Personality: Social, Active, Friendly
Fun Facts: The Ameraucana is one of the most mistaken Fun Facts: There are a lot of famous Pekin Ducks in the breeds; often referred to as Araucanas. Although both world. Donald Duck, Howard the Duck, the Aflac duck and green eggers Ameraucanas have different breed character- The Duck (from the TV show Friends) are all Pekin ducks! istics, most notably the absence of ear tufts. Ameraucanas Another fun fact: If fed a diet rich in corn or alfalfa, the bill are also referred to as Easter Eggers, a nod to their col- of the Pekin duck will turn a bright Once a duck, always a ored eggs. However the term Easter Eggers truly refers to orange. duck... Oh boy! chickens that carry the blue egg gene but do not meet the Ameraucana breed standard.
WELSH HARLEQUIN BLACK AUSTRALORP
DOMESTICATED DUCK BREED STANDARD BREED FIRST TIME AT THE GRANGE!
Size: Medium 5-6lbs Size: Heavy 7-8lbs
Purpose: Dual Purpose: Dual
Egg Color: White Egg Color: Brown
Productivity: 200+ eggs a year Productivity: Excellent; 5 per week
Broody: Yes Broody: Yes
Confinement: Tolerates Well Confinement: Tolerates Well
Personality: Calm, Inquisitive, Excellent Foragers Personality: Sweet, Docile and Curious
Fun Facts: Welsh Harlequins are a fairly new breed. They Fun Facts: Black Australorps gained notoriety in 1922, were bred from off colored Khaki Campbells in the late when a team of 6 hens set the world record for egg pro- 1960s. Unlike most birds, Welsh Harlequins can be sexed duction in a yearlong trial. One hen laid 364 eggs in 365 at hatch by their bill color with high accuracy. days (in a time where lights were not used to extend pro- duction time)! Australorps produce large, light brown eggs and the mature hen can be expected to lay 200+ eggs a year.
BRAHMA KHAKI CAMPBELL
STANDARD BREED DOMESTICATED DUCK BREED
DARK & LIGHT Size: Small 4-5lbs Size: Heavy 8-10lbs Purpose: Layer Purpose: Dual Egg Color: White Egg Color: Brown Productivity: 300 eggs a year Productivity: Average; 3 per week Broody: No Broody: Yes Confinement: Tolerates Well Confinement: Tolerates Well Personality: Curious, Friendly, Active Personality: Very Calm, Tame and Easily Handled Fun Facts: In the late 1800’s, Adele Campbell crossed Fun Facts: Brahmas are beautiful birds that make great Fawn and White Runners with Rouens, hoping to create a additions to households with children, as they are very large bodied, prolific layer. She then bred the offspring to calm and not skittish. They originate from India, where Penciled Runners. The resulting bird’s color reminded her they are known as “Grey Chittagong.” of British Army Uniforms, so she named them “Khaki” Campbells. (You can see their Indian Runner heritage in their upright carriage)
Light Dark INDIAN RUNNER BUCKEYE
DOMESTICATED DUCK BREED STANDARD BREED
ASSORTED COLORS HERITAGE VARIETY Size: Medium 4-5lbs Size: Medium 6-8lbs Purpose: Dual Purpose: Egg Layer Egg Color: White or Green Tinted Egg Color: Brown Productivity: 150-200 eggs a year Productivity: Good; 3 per week Broody: No Broody: Yes Confinement: Tolerates Well, enjoys foraging Confinement: Tolerant, but prefers to range Personality: Social, Active, Curious Personality: Friendly, Active, Voracious Foragers Fun Facts: When the Indian Runner was imported into Fun Facts: The Buckeye is the only American breed to Europe 200 years ago, their tall, upright bodies and repu- have been designed by a women, Nettie Metcalf. Many tation for egg production attracted a lot of attention. Their people are familiar with the Rhode Island Red, another red, name is a nod to their origins but they were initially called American breed. Interestingly, the Buckeye was established “Penguin Ducks” by early importers! shortly before the Rhode Island Red and Nettie Metcalf actu- ally sent some of her Buckeyes to Rhode Island Red breed- ers to help establish the bird. The Buckeye is now extremely rare and considered critically endangered by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy.
BUFF ORPINGTON CAYUGA
STANDARD BREED DOMESTICATED DUCK BREED
Size: Heavy 7-8lbs Size: Medium 6-8lbs
Purpose: Dual Purpose: Egg Layer
Egg Color: Brown Egg Color: Black or Greenish… lightens with age
Productivity: Average; 3 per week Productivity: 100+ eggs a year
Broody: Yes Broody: Yes
Confinement: Very Tolerant Confinement: Tolerates well
Personality: Sweet, Docile and Calm Personality: Social, Calm, Hardy, Very Quiet
Fun Facts: Orpingtons are known to be one of the broodi- Fun Facts: The origin of the Cayuga is unknown. Urban est standard breeds and are recognized as wonderful Lore tells that a miller in Dutchess County caught wild mothers. Because of their easy going, sweet personalities, American lack Ducks and mated them with domestic ducks Orpingtons are often called the “golden retriever” of chick- which resulted in Cayugas. However, this history is widely ens. discredited as Cayugas share almost no similarities with the American Black Duck! The Cayuga is named after Ca- yuga Lake, one of the lakes in the Finger Lake region of New York.
BLUE SWEDISH COCHIN
DOMESTICATED DUCK BREED STANDARD BREED
ASSORTED COLORS
Size: Medium 6-8lbs Size: Very Heavy 8-10lbs
Purpose: Egg Layer Purpose: Dual
Egg Color: White or Blue Tinted Egg Color: Brown
Productivity: 100+ eggs a year Productivity: Fair; 2 per week
Broody: Yes Broody: Yes
Confinement: Does not Tolerate, Needs to Forage Confinement: Tolerates very well
Personality: Social, Calm, Hardy, Good for Beginners Personality: Calm, Friendly, Very Human Friendly
Fun Facts: The Blue Swedish is a beautiful bird but very Fun Facts: Cochins became popular in the 1800’s when challenging for breeders, as the breed standard is difficult the Chinese breed was gifted to the Queen of England, Vic- to achieve. Blue Swedish ducks will not breed true. When toria, who instantly fell in love with them. Although they you breed two Blues, chicks hatch at a rate of 50% blue, are not prolific layers, Cochins are one of the most popular 25% black and 25% splash. chickens for backyards because of their striking appear- ance and sweet personalities.
CUCKOO MARAN SILKIES
STANDARD BREED BANTAM BREED –STRAIGHT RUN
SILVER CUCKOO ASSORTED COLORS
Size: Heavy 7-8lbs Size: Small 1-2lbs
Purpose: Egg Layer Purpose: Egg Layer & Ornamental
Egg Color: Dark Chocolate Brown Egg Color: Tinted
Productivity: Average; 3 per week Productivity: Good; 3 per week
Broody: No Broody: Yes
Confinement: Do Not Like Confinement: Tolerates Well
Personality: Docile but Very Active Personality: Sweet, Calm, Friendly
Fun Facts: This breed is not recognized by the American Fun Facts: Silkies are a very popular Bantam, prized for Poultry Association but is extremely popular with anybody their sweet personalities and “kitten like” feathering. Silk- who wants a colorful egg carton! They are quite hardy and ies are renowned for their mothering abilities and are were originally bred in a Marshy area of France, so they do known to adopt any baby they can get their beak on! very well in wet conditions.
SEBRIGHTS DELAWARE
BANTAM BREED—STRAIGHT RUN STANDARD BREED
ASSORTED COLORS CRITICALLY ENDANGERED
Size: Small 1-2lbs Size: Heavy 7-8lbs
Purpose: Ornamental Purpose: Dual
Egg Color: White Egg Color: Brown
Productivity: Low; 1 per week Productivity: Good; 4 per week
Broody: No Broody: Yes
Confinement: Tolerates Well Confinement: Tolerate Well
Personality: Social, Flighty, Males can be aggressive Personality: Calm, Quiet and Friendly
Fun Facts: Unlike other breeds, the male and female color Fun Facts: The Delaware is a relatively new breed, having pattern is the same because Sebright males possess a been adopted by the APA in 1950. During 1940-1950, the modified form of ‘hen feathering.’ Sebrights are a true Delaware was the premier broiler fowl. Although it’s eco- Bantam breed, not a miniaturized version of a larger nomic dominance was short lived, they are still highly re- breed. garded as dual purpose birds. Unlike most broiler fowl, they have calm, friendly personalities that make them ideal for the backyard flock.
DOMINIQUE POLISH CRESTED BANTAM BREED—STRAIGHT RUN STANDARD BREED ASSORTED COLORS HERITAGE VARIETY Size: Small 3-4lbs Size: Medium 5-6lbs Purpose: Egg Layer & Ornamental Purpose: Dual Egg Color: White Egg Color: Brown Productivity: Fair; 2 per week Productivity: Average; 3 per week Broody: No Broody: Yes Confinement: Tolerates Confinement: Tolerate Well Personality: Friendly and Calm. Can become aggressive Personality: Calm and Quiet or skittish if visibility is limited by their “top hat” Fun Facts: Many people can not tell the difference be- Fun Facts: Although their name would suggest Polish tween a Dominique and a Barred Plymouth Rock. An easy roots, Polish Crested bantams actually originated in the trick? Look at the comb. Dominique’s have a rose comb Netherlands. The large crest is caused by a large cone that and Rocks have a single comb. The Dominique is a herit- covers the top of the skull. age breed that has been in existence for hundreds of years but is now considered endangered.
OLD ENGLISH JAVA
BANTAM BREED—STRAIGHT RUN STANDARD BREED
ASSORTED COLORS MOTTLED Size: Heavy 7-8lbs Size: Tiny 1-2lbs Purpose: Dual Purpose: Egg Layer & Ornamental Egg Color: White Egg Color: Tinted Productivity: Good; 4 per week Productivity: Low; 1 per week Broody: Yes Broody: Yes Confinement: Tolerate Well Confinement: Does not tolerate confinement Personality: Calm, Quiet and Hardy Personality: Alert, Active, Confident, Dominate Fun Facts: The Java is the second oldest breed to be de- Fun Facts: Old English Bantams are the modern day de- veloped in America. This breed is considered Critically En- cedents of ancient fighting cocks. While their name plays dangered. Gardfield Farm in Illinois has been working hard tribute to England, their heritage is much more global. since 1990 to save this breed. Chicago’s Museum of Sci- Their appearance still has a striking resemblance to jungle ence even hatched Java chicks, as part of their exhibit on fowl. genetics, to help Garfield’s Java numbers grow faster!
JERSEY GIANT JAPANESE
STANDARD BREED BANTAM BREED—STRAIGHT RUN
BLACK ASSORTED COLORS Size: Very Heavy 8-10lbs Size: Small 1-3lbs Purpose: Dual Purpose: Ornamental Egg Color: Brown Egg Color: Brown Productivity: Average; 3 per week Productivity: Low; 1 per week Broody: No Broody: No Confinement: Tolerates Well Confinement: Tolerates, but prefer to forage Personality: Docile and Friendly, Great with children & Personality: Gentle, Calm and Friendly pets Fun Facts: Japanese Bantams are a true bantam, not just Fun Facts: The Jersey Giant was designed with the intent a miniaturized version of a larger breed. Their standout of replacing turkey as the primary poultry meat source. features are their short legs (which makes them ideal for Although Jersey Giant’s produce a large amount of meat, gardens and lawns as they can not cause much damage) they are not used commercially because it takes them 6 and their dramatic tail that is carried high and forward. months to reach mature size.
This turkey is bigger, but not as cute! FRIZZLES LEGHORN
BANTAM BREED STANDARD BREED
ASSORTED COLORS WHITE
Size: Small 2-3lbs Size: Medium 6-7lbs
Purpose: Egg Layer & Ornamental Purpose: Egg Layer
Egg Color: Brown Egg Color: X Large White Eggs
Productivity: Low; 1 per week Productivity: Good; 4 per week
Broody: Yes Broody: No
Confinement: Very Tolerant Confinement: Tolerates
Personality: Calm and Friendly Personality: Intelligent and Active, at times Aggressive
Fun Facts: The Frizzle Bantam is actually a Cochin Ban- Fun Facts: The Leghorn captures many people’s ideal im- tam with a genetic twist that causes their feathers to grow age of a chicken. In fact, Looney Tunes’ famous rooster outward and forward, giving the appearance of having Foghorn Leghorn was inspired by a white Leghorn. Leg- been dried with a hair dryer. Frizzle does not reproduce horns are such fabulous producers that they are often 100%, so in any Frizzle hatch, 25% will be regular Cochin used in hybrid breeds. You gotta, I say, You Bantam. Gotta raise Leghorns!
PLYMOUTH ROCK D’UCCLE
STANDARD BREED BANTAM BREED
BARRED & PARTRIDGE ASSORTED COLORS
Size: Heavy 7-8lbs Size: Small 2-3lbs
Purpose: Dual Purpose: Egg Layer & Ornamental
Egg Color: Brown Egg Color: Tinted
Productivity: Good; 4 per week Productivity: Good; 3 per week
Broody: Yes Broody: Yes
Confinement: Tolerate, but prefer to range Confinement: Tolerates well
Personality: Docile, Friendly, Smart Personality: Calm & Friendly
Fun Facts: Plymouth Rock roosters are often recommend- Fun Facts: Belgian Bearded d’Uccle’s (pronounced dew- ed for Backyard Flocks as their calm and gentle nature clay) are often mistakenly called Mille Fleur (French for A makes them less “rooster” like. Thousand Flowers) which is actually the name of their most popular feather pattern, pictured below.
Partridge Barred WYANDOTTE RHODE ISLAND RED
STANDARD BREED STANDARD BREED
GOLDEN, SILVER, BLUE
Size: Heavy 7-8lbs Size: Heavy 7-8lbs
Purpose: Dual Purpose: Dual
Egg Color: Brown Egg Color: X Large Brown
Productivity: Good; 4 per week Productivity: Excellent; 5 per week
Broody: Yes Broody: No
Confinement: Tolerates well Confinement: Tolerant
Personality: Friendly but Dominate Personality: Generally Active, can be Aggressive
Fun Facts: One of the most famous chickens in history Fun Facts: Rhode Island Reds are extremely popular be- was a Wyandotte rooster: Mike the Headless Chicken! cause they do everything well. They are prolific layers and “Miracle Mike” lived for 18 months after his head was cut have good meat. Did you know there are Rhode Island off! Originally thought of as a hoax, Mike was brought to Whites, too? Yep, however although they have all of the the University of Utah where his “Miracle” status was con- same redeeming qualities as Rhode Island Reds… they are firmed! just not popular!
Blue
Silver Golden SEX LINKS WELSUMMER
STANDARD BREED STANDARD BREED
GOLDEN & BLACK
Size: Medium 5-7lbs Size: Heavy 6-7lbs
Purpose: Dual Purpose: Dual
Egg Color: Brown Egg Color: Dark, Reddish Brown (sometimes Speckled)
Productivity: Excellent; 5 per week Productivity: Good; 4 per week
Broody: No Broody: Yes
Confinement: Tolerate Well Confinement: Tolerate, but prefers to range
Personality: Easy Going Personality: Friendly, Active and Intelligent
Fun Facts: The term Sex Link refers to hybrid birds that Fun Facts: To many people, the Welsummer rooster has are bred so males and females are different colors at the traditional ’rooster’ look. In fact, it is believed that the hatching, making the sexing rate very accurate. These hy- Kellogg’s Corn Flakes® rooster was inspired by a Welsum- brids are also very prolific layers and extremely hardy and mer! healthy. Sex Links are also called “Stars” by some hatcher- ies.
SPECKLED SUSSEX SICILIAN BUTTERCUP
STANDARD BREED STANDARD BREED
Size: Small 4-5lbs Size: Medium 5-6lbs Purpose: Egg Layer Purpose: Dual Egg Color: White Egg Color: Brown (sometimes pinkish) Productivity: Fair; 2 per week Productivity: Good; 4 per week Broody: No Broody: Yes Confinement: Does not tolerate Confinement: Tolerate Well Personality: Extremely Active and Flighty, Curious Personality: Fun, Active, Curious and Friendly Fun Facts: The name is a nod to the cup shaped comb Fun Facts: The speckled coloring is by far the most popu- they feature. Sicilian Buttercups are the only breed to car- lar variety in the United States. In fact, additional varieties ry this beautiful and unique comb, which is striking, espe- are rarely seen. Their feathering gains more speckles after cially on the rooster. each molt, so the Sussex gets more and more unique as it ages.