Poultry Breeds

e-edition Backyard Spring 2017

PoultryAmerica’s Favorite Poultry Magazine

Small & Useful Bantam Breeds

The World’s Most Unique Chickens

A Storybook Life of a Polish Chicken Exploring Cherished Poultry Breeds

www.CountrysideNetwork.com

Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 1 Contents // e-edition Spring 2017

4 From the Editor 10 Poultry Talk Selecting a chicken breed. Ron Kean and Pam Freeman answer reader questions about their flocks. 6 Flock Photos Featuring photos from our Instagram 12 Poultry Breeds ... What Are They #backyardpoultryfelfie contest. Anyway? What is the true definition of a poultry 8 Something to Crow About breed and why does it matter? Reader-submitted letters. 15 Backyard Poultry Resources

16 Unique Among Chickens Distinctions that separate some breeds from all others.

2 Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 22 Are Bantams Real Chickens? Yes! And for some, they are even ideal chickens.

25 Small & Useful Bantam Chickens Bantam breeds that prove good things come in small packages.

30 Wyandottes, An American Tradition Fall in love with one of the most prominent chicken breeds in America.

34 A Storybook Life of a Polish Chicken Jan Brett, author and illustrator, travels the world and raises world-class chickens.

37 Delawares A few poultry enthusiasts are passionately trying to recreate this entirely American bird. 40 16

40 Garfield Farm and the Java Chicken A second chance for one of America’s 34 oldest chicken breeds.

44 The Long Line of Brown Leghorns Explore the legacy of the most commonly kept breed.

50 The Fighting Story Behind Hawaii’s Feral Chickens Stray chicken-corralling is proving a costly venture in Hawaii.

52 Coop Inspiration — A Rustic Coop An upcycled design that blends with its 12 surroundings.

Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 3 from the editor Backyard Poultry www.countrysidenetwork.com

Selecting a Chicken Breed Editorial Steph Merkle, Content Director [email protected]

hoosing chicken And, what about buying Pam Freeman, Editor breeds is one of birds that aren’t good [email protected]

Cmy favorite poul- egg layers but you have Editorial Assistants try topics and I suspect a goal to sell eggs? Samantha Ingersoll, Ann Tom a favorite topic for many I think it’s fair to other chicken owners say that choosing the Circulation & Marketing too. After a few years of right breed is one of Ellen Grunseth, Marketing Director [email protected] chicken keeping, we all the most important start to develop some decisions a backyard Publication Designer favorites. It’s only natural. chicken owner can Malisa Samsel Whether you have Pam Freeman make. As you scroll favorites or not, your Editor through this e-edition, Advertising Alicia Soper, Advertising Director breed choices are cru- you’ll find lots of infor- [email protected] cial to whether you’re mation about different (715) 748-1388 happy with your flock. That may sound breeds and about how to pick what’s like an exaggeration, but think about it. right for you. Kelly Weiler If you pick breeds that are stand-offish You’ll also find some brand new [email protected] (715) 748-1389 and unfriendly, the kids in your family Something to Crow About letters plus may be less than thrilled. If you pick new Ask the Expert questions and Clint Lindell breeds that aren’t cold hardy but you answers along with photos from our [email protected] live in the north with harsh winters, #backyardpoultryfelfie Instagram con- (970) 392-4436 you’ll spend lots of time trying to pull test finalists. General Manager those birds through the cold. The same I hope you enjoy this spring e-edition. Mike Campbell is true for buying birds that can’t take May you always make great breed [email protected] the heat, yet you live in the south. choices!

Backyard Poultry’s Main Coop Backyard Poultry 145 Industrial Dr., Medford, WI 54451 www.countrysidenetwork.com

Subscriptions (U.S. funds): $24.99 per year Backyard Poultry Subscriptions 580 Mallory Way, Carson City, NV 89701 (970) 392-4419

On The Cover Backyard Poultry (ISSN 1559-2251, USPS 023-374) is published bi-monthly by Countryside Publications, at 145 Industrial Dr., The black Spanish is the only breed with Medford, WI 54451. Periodicals postage paid at Medford, WI and additional mailing offices. ©2017 Countryside an entirely white face. Photo courtesy Publications. Countryside Publications is owned and operated by Fence Post Co. The views presented here do not necessarily of Dyanna Byers, California. Learn more represent those of the editor or publisher. All contents of this issue of Backyard Poultry are copyrighted by Countryside about unique chicken breeds on page 16. Publications, 2017. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited except by permission of the publisher.

POSTMASTER: Send all UAA to CFS. (See DMM 707.4.12.5); NON-POSTAL AND MILITARY FACILITIES: Send address corrections to Backyard Poultry Subscriptions, 580 Mallory Way, Carson City, NV 89701

4 Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 Features 128+ Birds!

• Chickens • Ducks • Geese • Turkeys • Emus • Guinea Fowl • Ostriches • Partridges • Peafowl • Swans And Much More!

This definitive guide to North American barnyard and wild fowl includes a brief history of each breed, detailed descriptions of identifying characteristics, and colorful photography of more than 128 birds that celebrate the birds’ quirky personalities and charming good looks. If it’s fowl facts and photos you want, you’ll find them all here.

Only $24.95 plus S&H

CountrysideNetwork.com/shop/storeys-illustrated-guide-to-poultry-breeds Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 5 Featuring Photos From Our Instagram #BackyardPoultryFelfie Contest

1st Place

My Easter Egger, Penelope, is not the friendliest chicken. She’s not mean, she just isn’t affectianate and hates being held. Today she was uncharacteristically friendly. I love this little face! – thelochflock

2nd Place 3rd Place

Today we brought home three adorable little Pekin/Silkie crosses from the poultry auction. This is Cornflakes. – karen_grundy

At least 18” so far, and it’s still snowing! Poor chickens In March, we partnered with Greenfire Farms to bring you a fun don’t know what to do with themselves ... Gilly’s face definitely captures the mood! – newburyfarms Instagram #backyardpoultryfelfie contest. Never heard of a felfie? It’s a selfie taken with a farm animal! Here are our favorites!

Ways to share: Email photos in JPG format to [email protected] mEssage us on Facebook: Facebook.com/backyardpoultry tag us on Instagram or use #backyardpoultrymag: Instagram.com/backyardpoultrymag mail your entry to: Backyard Poultry, 145 Industrial Dr., Medford, WI 54451

Backyard Poultry retains the right to publish and/or reproduce any and all photos submitted. To have your photos returned, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope. 6 Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 Mazikeen sometimes thinks my hair is a nest. – odytherooster

A bunch of my bantams Because when you discover the hashtag decided to cuddle! #chicksinteacups ... well, need I say more? – faithwalkfarms – pfsmith00

Here’s my #backyardpoultryfelfie taken with my girl, Red. – jmab66

Backyard Poultry retains the right to publish and/or reproduce any and all photos submitted. To have your photos returned, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 7 Do You Have Something To Crow About? We want to hear from you. Send questions, comments, opinions, advice, coming events, etc. to: Backyard Poultry Editor, 145 Industrial Dr., Medford, WI 54451 or email [email protected]

Maude, Our Special Needs Chicken her, but she came through it. She became Maude and I feel that they felt bad for After moving to the country, one day our special needs chicken. her because they stopped laying eggs. a rooster and hen came onto our prop- We had gone on a trip for two weeks This went on for three to four months. erty. Not sure where they belonged, we so our neighbor cared for her and the rest They hovered over her and seemed sad. asked around the neighborhood to no of our brood. It was pretty funny because Now all is well and Maude is happy, her avail, no one claimed them. The rooster, my husband created a document on how comb is straight up and bright red again. Wylie, kept hanging around our property to care for the chickens including, “Miss She likes to take dirt baths with Wylie, and the hen, Maude, decided to take up Special Needs Maude.” All went well flies and hops around on her one leg. So residence in the neighbor’s barn. The while we were away. when one thinks they need to put down neighbor didn’t want the hen around, a chicken, think of what can you do to and the rooster (not friendly at all) kept help. All our chickens have different running away. My husband persisted personalities and are fun to watch. on capturing him, he had success. He Karen Cone, California caught both Maude and Wylie and put them in a secure area for a few days. Meanwhile, he made them a hutch and A Chicken Helper a fenced-in chicken run for safety. These My granddaughter helping introduce days they are let out to roam the property my rooster to our eight-week-old hens. during the day and in the hutch at night. Rosemary Anderson, Ohio That was 2009. Over time we have added a few more chickens to the hen house. On July 14, 2015, our Maude broke her right leg. I don’t know how she did this and I’m not sure how old she is. Maude now. When Maude broke her leg, my husband became the chicken doctor. Our granddaughter said “No, you can’t put A couple days after we got back her down, use popsicle sticks and make from our trip, the chickens were roam- a splint and wrap it up.” So grandpa did ing around the property. My husband make a cast for her. She did not put up was walking by the hutch area when any fuss about him working on her. This he found Maude’s leg, cast and all lying cast stayed on her leg until the middle on the ground. It had atrophied and fell of October. She was doing amazing. No off. Now our special needs girl has only one would have known that she had had one leg. We couldn’t believe it, it just fell a broken leg. off. Needless to say, we were in shock. All was well with all our chickens, Maude is doing quite well with one leg. Rosemary’s special helper. we now have five. Several months went However, she is not as active and she by then Maude broke her left leg. We no longer lays eggs. On the upside, just didn’t know what to do. Again my she is quite tame now. I always thought Chicken Race husband made a cast for her. She didn’t that if an animal is injured the others This morning I rose early to let our seem to want to go through this again would pick on the injured one. Not our chickens out of their run so that they could and we thought we were going to lose brood. They became very protective of free-range. About an hour later I looked

8 Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 out of the kitchen window and they had all just filed back into their fenced in run. Seeing that it was about to rain I thought More I would save myself the trouble of getting Conversation & them back in during a thunderstorm and close their gate on them. When I appeared Stories on our on the back porch, Minnie, our rebel of the Facebook Page flock, knew exactly what I had in mind and headed back for the gate. The race was on! Facebook.com/ Now I will be 78 years old in another backyardpoultry two weeks and I can’t run the 880 as I Read the full story at: did in high school but I can still beat out countrysidenetwork.com/ a chicken on the run. “The girls” always daily/poultry/eggs-meat/ provide us with a good laugh. what-causes-double- I love Backyard Poultry, thank you yolk-eggs-other-odd- so much. eggs-sb Ralph W. Smith, Maryland Bonding With Chickens Cory loved helping his grandpa do chicken chores ever since he was old enough to tag along. Grandpa had a small coop with legs and a ladder down to the ground and a small fenced pen for the chickens to run in. He called them his Sarah Burrows: “Baby Bants.” Grandpa showed Cory how Earlier this year, I cracked to feed and water the layers, so he can do open 6 eggs to scramble, it now at six years old. everyone was a double — amazing.

Suzanne Miao: That’s a whole lotta scrambled eggs, Sarah!

Sarah Burrows: The cats love it for breakfast - especially if there are baked beans and toast as well.

Grandpa and Cory, chicken buddies. Ramona Madison: One of my egg customers got a four-yolk egg! We lost Grandpa in August 2016, and Cory really missed his “Chicken Buddy.” Grandma kept the hens so when Cory and his little brother visit they can enjoy them. It’s what Grandpa would have wanted. Marilyn Hellbusch, Nebraska

Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 9 Pam Freeman Ron Kean Editor Extension Poultry Specialist Backyard Poultry magazine University of Wisconsin-Madison Poultry Talk Ask our Poultry Experts About Your Flock’s Health, Feed, Production, Housing, and More

Rooster with a old. Her tail has dropped, she’s dragging eggs, the large brown ones, and they were Permanent Molt one leg and appears to be compacted. perfect. For about two weeks now, these My rooster lost all of his main feath- She does want to eat but has the above eggs have been cracked on the smaller ers in late November and still hasn’t problems. What is your best advice? end. Twice the eggs are totally smashed, gotten new ones. He is only covered in Thanks, and with nothing left but smashed egg- down. I have checked him for mites and Alice shell? I had run out of the ground oyster lice and found nothing. My girls look fine. shell, and I thought maybe that was the Richard VanDeFlier Hi Alice, reason for the small end, which I guess is It’s hard to know what is going on the first part of the laid egg that hits the Hi Richard, with your hen. The symptoms you have surface first. Today is the second day it It sounds like your rooster made it described are a little vague. The best op- was totally smashed. Can you please give through the winter without his main feath- tion is really to find a veterinarian in your me some advice on why this might be ers! Since you’ve checked for parasites, we area that can deal with chickens. While happening, and if there is anything I can can probably rule them out. Other than many veterinarians don’t directly treat do to change this behavior? These three that, it’s hard to know what’s causing the chickens, you may want to find one that beauties are my first chickens, and I have lack of feathers. It’s probably best to start treats pet birds such as parrots. Pet birds really fallen in love with each of them. Your with his diet. Is he getting a well-balanced can have many of the same problems that Countryside Daily has already given me commercial feed for most of his rations? If chickens have, so the veterinarian may so much information! Thank You! not, that may be the place to start. There agree to help with your flock. Melody Larson is a commercial feed by Nutrena called Hope your hen is feeling better! Feather Fixer. This formulation contains Hi Melody, extra protein to help with feather growth It can be hard to determine exactly and does have a mite inhibitor. It’s safe Smashed Eggs what’s going on through an email, but I to feed to your entire flock, year-round if I have three different breeds of hens, do have some advice. First, make sure you’d like. That would be a good place to so it makes know for sure who is laying start and see if the new feed stimulates which egg, but luckily my Rhode Island you are feeding your hens a high-quality some feather growth. Red is my white layer. I believe my Light layer feed. That will give them good cal- Hope this is helpful! Brahma has been the one laying the larg- cium for laying strong eggs. If you run est brown eggs I’ve been getting for sev- out of oyster shell, you can always feed eral months now, and my third chicken is a your eggshells back to your hens for Sick Chicken White Laced Cornish and I think she is the extra calcium. Just wash the shells off, I am writing in hopes you will know last of the three to lay eggs, and they are a let them dry and then break them up into the answer to this. We appear to have a very light brown, smaller egg. Back to my small pieces. Also, make sure your nest sick chicken. She is about three years beautiful Light Brahma giving us our first boxes are lined with lots of fresh chips

If you have health-related poultry questions, send them to us at Backyard Poultry, Attn: Ask the Expert, 145 Industrial Dr., Medford, WI 54451 or email to [email protected]. All submissions will be considered for print publication. Please include your name and hometown with your questions, which should be as detailed as possible. Pictures help us answer questions, so please include those too!

10 Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 or straw. That will cushion the eggs as fectiveness of probiotics can be reversed I would appreciate your feedback. they are laid. if you give your chickens too much dairy. Thank you for your time. Hope this helps! Small quantities equal big happiness! Hope this helps to clarify the ongoing Chad Johnston, Phoenix Farms yogurt debate! Picky Chickens Hi Chad, Any suggestions on how to get We don’t have all the answers, but picky chickens to eat anything other Muscovies Eating Fire Ants hopefully, we can help. First, it’s not cer- than fresh fruit and scratch grain? I have a question I’m hoping you can tain how rare white Ameraucanas are. They will sometimes eat a LITTLE “all answer. I was reading your article about They are one of the eight recognized flock” crumbles. They refuse pellets of Muscovy ducks and I saw where you varieties by the American Poultry As- any formulation. The ducks are similar, talked about them eating ants. Someone sociation (APA), so that helps for exhibi- but they forage — bugs, worms, flies, mentioned me that they will eat fire ants tion. There are two groups of breeders horse droppings, whatever came down too? I currently have free range chickens online that may have more information the ditch, etc. and I would like to avoid using poison about the relative “rareness” of different Jackie Bateman on my property to get rid of fire ants varieties. The two different groups have and was thinking about getting a couple differences of opinions on some matters Hi Jackie, female Muscovy ducks but wanted to – hence, two separate groups: Chickens can be picky from time to make sure that they do eat them before time, much like humans. But, if your hens getting a couple. I look forward to hear- http://ameraucanaalliance.org/index. are of laying age, then they need good nutri- ing from you. html tion to lay healthy eggs. The scratch grains Thanks, and fruit are considered treat foods and Elinor http://ameraucanabreedersclub.org/ should make up no more than 10 percent of your chicken’s overall diet. You may want Hi Elinor, There’s not a perfect answer for the to try some different commercial brands to This is a question we ran by one question about white coloring breeding see what they prefer. You might also try the of our writers, Lisa Steele. She advises true. It’s fairly certain they will produce pellet versions instead of the crumbles. The that Muscovies are “awesome” at bug white chicks, but not 100% certain, be- commercial brand should be a formulation control. Certainly better than ducks are. cause of the following explanation. for laying hens. This will ensure they’re She feels that if anything would eat fire There are two different genes that getting the proper amount of calcium. You ants, it would be Muscovies. However, cause white coloring in chickens. One could also try mixing the commercial feed she wondered about putting a bunch of is called recessive white and has been and the scratch grains together. They may Diatomaceous Earth on the ant hills. That traditionally common in white varieties of get a taste of the commercial feed and take would help control the fire ants without Dorkings, Plymouth Rocks, Wyandottes, it from there. using harsh chemicals. Orpingtons, etc. If this gene is causing Good luck with your hens! Hope this helps get rid of your fire the white color in your birds, then they ant problem! should continue to breed true and produce all white chicks. Increasing Egg Production There is another gene called domi- Can you feed yogurt to layers to Rare Ameraucanas nant white, which has been historically increase egg laying? I had a few questions I was hoping found in Leghorns, games, etc. This gene Mike Glassburn you might answer for me. I recently pur- inhibits pigmentation, but isn’t complete- chased 26 chicks at an auction. We had ly dominant, so heterozygotes (those with Hi Mike, 17 Rhode Island Reds and nine Amerau- one copy of the dominant white gene), We’ve seen this advice floating canas. The plan was to keep the pullets they often have black flecks and/or a around the internet. Feeding yogurt to for eggs and butcher the cockerels when fair amount of red color. So you would layers can be a great source of probiot- they got big enough. notice these if your chickens were het- ics for your chickens and help increase Now they are getting old enough to erozygotes. It is possible, however, that their overall gut health. It can also take on permanent color and for us to they are heterozygotes, and in that case, provide some extra calcium. But it’s tell male from female. We ended up with they could produce some colored chicks. doubtful it can increase egg laying. The two solid white female Ameraucana Whether your chickens carry number of eggs a chicken lays has more pullets and a solid white Ameraucana recessive white, dominant white, or to do with their genetics and their abil- cockerel. My wife says these are rare both, likely depends on what breed was ity to fulfill that genetic destiny through and would like to separate them for crossed in to produce the white variety proper health and nutrition etc. breeding. of Ameraucanas. It’s important to remember that My first question is will all of her So, if these chickens meet most of dairy, such as yogurt, in small quantities chicks end up solid white? the breed characteristics outlined in the is not bad for chickens. Chickens are not My second question is if solid white APA Standard of Perfection, they could lactose intolerant. They can digest small Ameraucanas are rare, is there a market be somewhat valuable to produce chicks. amounts of dairy products. But, the ef- for them? Hope this helps with your decision!

Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 11 Poultry Breeds ... What Are They, Anyway?

By D.P. Sponenberg

reeds are important for many Exploring these differences can help to fa- overlap between these two big classes of reasons. For example, Icelandic cilitate communication, and can also help breeds can help tease out some important chickens and Egyptian Fayoumis to advance effective breed conservation. lessons. areB each going to perform best in different For this discussion, “poultry” will mean In the minds of most livestock breeders, environments, and if breeders do not take avian breeds, and “livestock” will mean the uniformity of breeds results from the good care of these genetic packages, then mammalian breeds, even though these expected interactions of foundation (what future generations will simply not have are hardly ideal definitions all the way goes into the original mix), isolation (so some of the options that have blessed the around. While breeders of each of these the mix is not further jumbled or changed current owners. have specific major ways they think about along the way by outside stock), and se- Breeds matter, because each one of breeds, the overlap is so great that no lection (which specific animals breeders them is a genetic package that can be used single broad-brush approach will easily choose to keep, and which they choose to for some combination of purposes in some capture all the details. reject). In most cases, a fourth dimension specific range of settings. It is important Breeders of both poultry and livestock is piled on here, which is that the whole to keep that in mind, and to not squander breeds do agree that the basic character- result is functioning in a specific environ- those packages by mixing them all up. istic of breeds is their consistent appear- ment, along with people, for the purposes They are more than pretty birds or pretty ance and performance. That is, one breed of production. These are the four most animals — each one served some human is usually told from another because it important aspects of a functional breed. community as they survived in a specific has an array of physical traits that are This whole process of breed formation setting. That is the true importance of repeatable and unique to that breed. This tends to yield a final appearance almost breeds, and without them we wouldn’t be uniformity comes down to the present in as a secondary result. The cascade of here today to even have the discussion! different ways, and these differences are events starts with foundation (what was Breeders of poultry and breeders of where breeders of poultry and livestock available), then isolation (nothing else mammalian livestock often are thinking have often diverged. Some important and was available!), and selection (breeders different things when they think “breed.” cautionary examples where the attitudes needed the animals to do this or that) and

12 Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 the result was animals shaped by the inter- This second path to breed develop- their function as biological units. As with actions of these three in the environment ment, especially in poultry, leads to a logi- most of life, a few fall in between these and serving people. This process always cal split in what might be called primary extremes, and these include some old results in a certain degree of uniformity, breeds as opposed to secondary breeds. breeds that came from blending primary both for appearance and production. The Primary breeds are those with birds that breeds together long ago. end of that process is an easily recogniz- have a shared background of foundation, The issues that spring from primary able breed, and most observers forget all isolation, and selection. Secondary breeds and secondary breeds are important and those steps that went into the process, and lack this shared background and end up glaringly obvious for poultry, but are no less concentrate only on the final relatively with their uniformity coming from tar- important for breeds in nearly every species uniform result. geted selection for a specific phenotype, where breeders have resorted to crossing Breed uniformity can then be taken a fi- even though the foundation and isolation to other breeds for performance gains, or nal step as a more deliberate process when steps are not shared all that widely among in order to have a competitive edge in the breeders organize, notice the similarities members of the breed. Both primary show ring or other evaluations. This leads among their animals, and then deliber- and secondary breeds have importance, to “secondary breeds,” whether in birds or ately eliminate some rare variants that do but they are fundamentally different in in mammals, with the same consequences not fit the majority package of traits. This final step is breed standardization. Impor- tantly, in most cases the standardization was the crowning final event in a process already well in progress, and leading to Categories of Breeds the end result of reasonable uniformity. This last step gives the amazing uniformity across an entire breed that makes it so PRIMARY, OLD FOUNDATION SECONDARY BREEDS easily recognizable. • Ancona • Americauna For several poultry breeds, this same • Andalusian • Australorp process of breed development has oc- • Aseel • Chantecler curred, resulting in breeds that function • Black Sumatra • Cornish biologically in exactly the same way that • Delaware livestock breeds function. These can be • Brahma called “primary” breeds because they • Campine • Faverolles follow the usual trajectory of foundation, • Catalana • Holland isolation, and selection leading to a uni- • Cochin • Jersey Giant form and recognizable bunch of animals • Crevecoeur • Lamona or birds that are designated “breeds.” • Cubalaya • Orpington However, for many breeds of poultry, • Dominique • Plymouth Rock other than and some of mammals, a second pathway • Dorking Barred has become nearly as important as this first, • Frizzle • Rhode Island White and often poultry breeders do not reliably • Hamburg • Wyandotte (golden laced, distinguish between these two pathways • Java buff, partridge, silver penciled, in either their thinking or their practices. • Lakenvelder columbian, blue) Poultry breeders, seeing the almost • Langshan inadvertent uniformity brought by the • Leghorn process described above, have often tar- OLD BREEDS FROM geted superficial phenotypic uniformity • Malay A BLEND OF without necessarily including the steps • Minorca PRIMARY BREEDS of foundation, isolation, and selection. • Old English Game • Barred Plymouth Rock Poultry breeders have often envisioned a • Pheonix final external appearance, and then have • Polish • Buckeye blended various influences to attain that • Sebright Bantam • Houdan overall product. In many poultry breeds, • Shamo • LaFleche the result has been that varieties within • Sicilian Buttercup • Modern Game the breeds do not share common histories • Silky Bantam • New Hampshire of foundation, isolation, and selection with • Spanish • Redcap one another. For example, White, Buff, • Sultan • Rhode Island Red and Partridge Chantecler chickens each come from different foundations, even • Sussex though the final products resemble one • Wyandotte (silver laced, white, black) another externally in all but color. Selec- • Yokohama tion is the key here, with foundation and isolation playing minor roles, if any at all.

Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 13 for the underlying genetic resource that a breed should ideally be. Horses have many Primary breeds are those with birds that breeds where this has been the case (show- have a shared background of foundation, type Morgans, and many others). Many poultry breeders consider out- isolation, and selection. Secondary ward uniformity to be all that there is to breeds. In that case, outcrossing to bring breeds lack this shared background and things into a breed is perfectly logical because the breed is indeed (in their minds) end up with their uniformity coming that final external package, and any way to from targeted selection for a specific get that is a legitimate breeding practice. These outcrosses do change the underly- phenotype, even though the foundation and ing genetic package of the breed, which is of conservation importance. A good example is isolation steps are not shared all that widely the multitude of Wyandotte varieties. among members of the breed. Some, like the Silver Laced, White, and Black, do indeed share a common foundation, isolation, and selection history. Others, like Golden Laced, Buff, Partridge, Silver the other varieties belong to. As with many specific genetic combinations are impor- Pencilled, Columbian, Blue Laced Red, new developments in old breeds, though, tant, and outcrossing can easily disrupt and Blue, do not share that background. the tendency is to insist that all auburns end these. All of them do share an array of skin color, up with the same repeatable color, so some Poultry breeders need to be diligent comb type, and body shape. The superfi- of these interesting variants are doomed to in understanding the character of their cial similarities are a veneer over very real be discarded, because ultimately only one breeds, and need to reflect on the im- underlying genetic differences between the single pattern will be crowned “auburn,” portance of foundation and isolation in varieties of this one breed. and the others, from the same old breed, maintaining the genetic uniqueness of Some of this comes from standards may well be deemed illegitimate. their breeds. that emphasize external form as well as The focus on external form has other Ignoring this and resorting to out- color. An interesting example of how this consequences, and unfortunately can crosses can assure that the result is “such can affect breeds is the Java, which has lead to the “secondary breed” attitude and such” a breed in name only, with the Black, Mottled, and White varieties. All and the practices that go along with it. underlying genetic package based on of these go back to the same foundation, These can put at risk the many poultry foundation and isolation long gone. making the Java an old, primary breed. breeds that are indeed primary breeds. Importantly, no species has been Of late, some reddish birds popped out These genetic packages must be pro- completely exempt from this confusion of different bloodlines, and these have tected, and must be bred pure within the and genetic mismanagement. For breed led to the “auburn” variety with the same breed in order to assure survival of that conservation to be genetically meaning- genetic package. In these primary breeds, foundation of the old primary breed that ful, the breeds involved have to be true genetic resources, and breeds that have been crossbred or heavily contaminated by outside breeding simply do not qualify by that criterion. Sorting through the details of breed history (both the written and the unwritten versions!) can be a tricky undertaking, but is essential if pure breeds are to be stewarded for effective conservation. To do that, it is important to understand that “breed” may mean two different things to two different people.

D. Phillip Sponenberg, DVM, PhD, pro- fessor of pathology and genetics at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, is Technical Advisor for the Livestock Conservancy.

Gina Bisco’s White Chantecler rooster Thanks to Christine Heinrichs for editing shows his fine characteristics: tight thick feathering, good comb, small wattles, and White Wyandottes are one of the primary and photos. She is the author of How to length of back and neck. “He’s a strong foundation breeds. Photo by Dr. Don Raise Chickens and How to Raise Poultry, looking guy,” she said. Photo by Gina Monke, President, Wyandotte Breeders of published by Voyageur Press. Both focus on Bisco. America. raising traditional breeds in small flocks.

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Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 15 Unique Among Chickens

Distinctions That Separate Some Breeds From All Others

By Gail Damerow

very chicken breed has a unique set of attributes, but a few breeds have the distinction of being the only one of its kind. Without further ado, let’s look at some breeds with distinctive features Ethat set them apart from all others.

16 Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 Malay Sebright The tallest breed is the Malay. Thanks to its long neck and long The only hen-feathered breed is the Sebright. Hen feathering legs, combined with an upright stance, this chicken may grow means the hackle, saddle, and tail feathers of the cocks, as as tall as 2-1/2 feet. That’s the same height as your dining table. well as their color markings, are nearly identical to those of Imagine enjoying a picnic in your backyard and having this stately a hen of the same variety. Campines have a modified form of chicken casually grab the sandwich off your plate as it wanders by. hen feathering, insofar as the color pattern of same-variety cocks and hens is identical, but the shape of the Campine Jersey Giant cock’s sex feathers lies between the short, rounded feathers The heaviest breed is the Jersey Giant.This breed was originally of a hen and the long, pointed feathers of typical roosters. By developed as an alternative to turkey. Hens mature to 10 pounds, contrast, all the feathers of a Sebright rooster are rounded, cocks to 13 pounds. That’s about the same weight as a gallon like a hen’s. and a half of milk, a bowling ball, a house cat, or a small turkey.

The Serama, a true bantam, is the smallest chicken breed — not much bigger than a Serama pigeon. Photo The smallest breed is the Serama. This courtesy of true bantam (meaning it has no large Myranda counterpart) comes in three standard Pauley, weight classes, the largest of which (class Florida. C) is less than 19 ounces for both cocks and hens. The smallest class (A) requires cocks to weigh less than 13 ounces, hens less than 12 — that’s about the same size as a pigeon.

Buckeye The only American breed with a pea comb is the Buckeye. This breed was developed in Ohio, “the Buckeye State,” as a dual-purpose farmstead chicken that adapts better to cold weather compared to single-comb breeds — the combs of which are more subject to frostbite. The breed name originates with the Ohio Buckeye tree, which produces nuts that are similar in appearance to a chestnut and are about the same color as the Buckeye chicken’s mahogany plumage.

The Buckeye is the only American breed with a pea comb; its color is similar to that of a buckeye nut. Breed photo courtesy of Jeannette Beranger, ALBC. Buckeye nut photo courtesy of Laura Haggarty.

Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 17 Cornish The only breed in which the cock and hen are identical in conformation is the Cornish. These broad-breasted, muscular chickens are hard feathered, have a wide skull topped by a pea comb, and short, thick legs set wide apart. The main difference between the genders is weight: Cornish cocks weigh 10 1/2 pounds; hens 8 pounds; bantam cocks weigh 44 ounces; hens 36 ounces.

The Naked Neck has the least feathers of any breed, with about half the number Naked Neck of feathers as The breed with the fewest feathers is the fully feathered Naked Neck. This breed, sometimes called breeds. Photo a Turken, has half the number of feath- courtesy of Dana Ness, DVM, ers of other breeds of comparable size. Washington. The Naked Neck has been crossed with a broiler-type chicken to develop the so-called featherless chicken, which has only a few wisps of feathers on its pink skin, allowing it to waste little energy growing feathers instead of meat. Both the Naked Neck and its featherless hybrid cousin require shade to prevent sunburn, and in the coldest regions their housing must be heated.

Dominique The first chicken in the United States was the Domi- nique. The exact origin of this dual-purpose farmstead breed is unknown. Its name may derive from early chickens brought in from the French colony of Saint- Domingue (now Haiti). The Dominique has a rose comb and comes in one color — irregular barring, or cuckoo. It looks similar to the more regularly barred Plymouth Rock, which was developed from the Domi- nique and with which the Dominique is often confused, but the two breeds are readily distinguishable by their different comb styles.

The Dominique was the first chicken breed created in the United States; it is easily distinguishable from the (single comb) barred Rock by its rose comb. Dominique pullet and cockerel photo courtesy of Bryon K. Oliver, Dominique Club of America, www.dominiqueclub.org.

18 Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 Leghorn The most commonly kept chicken is the Leghorn. The single comb white Leghorn is also the best layer, which accounts for its worldwide use for egg production. A commercial-strain Leghorn averages between 250 and 280 white-shell eggs during the first year, and some hens lay as many as 300 eggs. In 1979, a strain of superior Leghorns developed at the University of Missouri, averaged more than one egg per day per hen. One of the hens laid 371 eggs in 364 days, and another laid an egg a day for 448 days straight. Besides being fantastic layers, Leghorns are early maturing (they start laying at about 20 weeks of age), hardy, and heat tolerant, and they have good fertility and superior feed-conversion efficiency.

Onagadori The breed with the longest tail is the Onagadori. This The breed with the longest crow is Japanese breed, the name the Drenica. Photo courtesy of of which means Honorable Salih Morina, Kosovo. Fowl, has tail feathers that are a minimum of 6-1/2 feet long and can grow to more than 33 feet long. Related longtail breeds in North America — Cubalaya, Phoe- Drenica nix, Sumatra, and Yokohama The breed with the longest crow is the Drenica. Selectively bred — cannot grow such luxuri- for the sound and duration of their crow, cocks of the breeds ant tails because they lack designated as longcrowers must have a crow that lasts at least some of the genetic factors 15 seconds. Cocks of all-black Drenica breeding, also known controlling the growth of as Kosovo Longcrowers, weigh only 4 pounds but consistently excessively long tails, in- crow for up to a full minute. Some people attribute this feat to cluding full expression of superior lung capacity, while others argue that the long-lasting the Onagadori’s nonmolt- crow stems from this breed’s restless and aggressive nature. ing gene; as a result, these other breeds occasionally Sumatra shed their tail feathers and The best flier is the Sumatra. More pheasant-like than any other have to start over growing chickens, Sumatras have been seen flying 70 feet to get across new ones. a river. That’s a considerably shorter distance than chickens flew at the annual International Chicken Flying Meet (which was discontinued in 1994) , where in 1989 a bantam hen set This rooster is of partial the record by flying more than 542 feet. But the latter had the Onagadori heritage, bred and advantage of starting from atop a 10-foot scaffold and getting raised by David Rogers of nudged in the behind with a toilet plunger. Sumatras, on the Megumi Aviary. According other hand, reportedly have flown unassisted, except perhaps to David, there are no known by a stiff sea breeze, between the Indonesian islands of Sumatra pure Onagadori in the U.S. and Java—a distance of some 19 miles. It is 62.5% pure. Though it is not pure enough to be considered a true Onagadori, it may be said that it is Onagadori- like; having standard color, carriage and feather type. At 5 years of age it has tail feathers that are 10-1/2 feet long, and they are still growing.

Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 19 Marans lay eggs with the darkest shell of any breed; shell color varies with genetics, age, diet, and season. On the official Marans egg color chart (above), eggs 1 through 3 are of unacceptable color for the breed. The most typical colors for quality stock are 5 through 7. Egg color scale chart courtesy of The French Marans Club. Blue Marans hen photo courtesy of Kathleen LaDue, Maryland.

Marans The chicken that lays eggs with the darkest shells is the Marans. These hens are good layers that produce eggs with dark chocolate-brown shells, although some individuals lay eggs with speckled shells. Marans hens may brood, but many breeders discourage broodiness because it interferes with production of the unusually dark-shelled eggs, which generally bring a premium price. The Penedesenca hen may also lay a dark-shelled egg, but eggs of Marans hens tend to be more consistently dark.

Spanish The only breed with a pure white face is the Spanish. This breed, known as the white-faced black Spanish or the clown- faced chicken, has long white earlobes and a white face made all the more striking by its bright red comb and wattles against a background of glossy black plumage. The Minorca also has large white earlobes, but lacks the white face, yet looks so much like the white-faced black Spanish that it is sometimes referred to as the red-faced black Spanish.

The black Spanish is the only breed with an entirely white face. Photo courtesy of Dyanna Byers, California.

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Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 21 Are BANTAMS Real Chickens?

A White-Crested Polish

Story and Photos Don Schrider, West Virginia

The History of the Bantam a variety of shapes and colors and pro- was also called the Black African, and The word “Bantam” is derived from a ma- duced a variety in their offspring. But it later, the Rosecomb Bantam. It is said jor Indonesian seaport on the western side was their small size and bold demeanor that King Richard III took a fancy to these of the Island of Java, Banten Province. This that intrigued sailors. When asked where little black birds at John Buckton’s inn, area was once very important to seagoing these small birds were from, Banten soon the Angel at Grantham. vessels as a port of call and as a place to phonetically became “Bantam.” The Rosecomb Bantam is often re- locate goods and food for voyages. One It is known that Bantam chickens were ferred to as one of the oldest Bantam remarkable item available at this port of in many European cities by the 1500s. varieties, the oldest of which is possibly call was chicken — to be precise, very Their early popularity was largely among the Nankin Bantam. Rosecomb Bantams small chickens. About a third the size the peasant classes. History has it that were considered exhibition birds with the of an average chicken, the chickens of Lords of the manors demanded the large intense beetle-green sheen of their solid Banten were spritely, spirited, reasonably eggs from the large chickens for their own black feathers, large white earlobes and fair egg layers, and bred true; offspring tables and for market, while the small profuse tails. were grown to be the same small size as eggs laid by these miniatures were left to As I mentioned earlier, the oldest their parents. the peasants. Certainly, the spritely and Bantam breed in England has been The small chickens of Banten were bold carriage of the Bantam males made considered to be the Nankin Bantam. brought onto ships as a food source, but an impression, and it was not long before Unlike the Rosecomb Bantam, there is many made their way back to Europe, some varieties were cultivated. very little written about the Nankin for where they were embraced for their In England, the African Bantam was the first 400 years it lived in that country. novelty. These small chickens came in known since at least 1453. This variety But we do know that Nankin Bantams

22 Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 were considered rare, even in 1853. Nankins were seldom valued for their beautiful beige plumage and black tails, but rather as sitting hens to hatch pheasants. Due to this use, they seldom competed for any awards. But this little gem is still alive and well today. Between 1603 and 1636, the ancestors of the Chabo, or Japanese Bantam, came to Japan from “South China.” This area would have included today’s Thailand, Vietnam, and Indo-China, and the birds that came to Japan were most likely the ancestors of today’s Serma Bantams. It seems that miniature chickens moved around the Orient by sea. The Japanese perfected the little birds with high tails, such that their legs were so short as to appear that they had no legs as they walked around gardens. Royal decree that no Japanese ship or person could go abroad from 1636 to about 1867 helped refine this breed as well. The Sebright Bantam seems to have been developed from around 1800. The breed is tied to Sir John Sebright, although in reality he and several friends had a hand in their development. We know that Mr. Stevens, Mr. Garle, and Mr. Nolling- sworth (or Hollingsworth) all played roles in the breed’s development. They met each year at Gray’s Inn Coffee House, in Holburn (London, England), to “show” each other how closely they were coming to their ideal of a pigeon-sized chicken with white or tan feathers laced with black, like the Silver or Golden Polish. They each paid an annual fee, and after expenses for the Inn, the remainder of the pool was handed out as prizes. Besides those English breeds — the Rosecombs, Sebrights, and Nankins — and those of the Orient — the Chabo and the Serama — there are many unique breeds of Bantam that have no large fowl counterpart. Breeds like the Booted Bantam, D’Uccles, D’Antwerps, Pyncheon and many others have no large fowl counterpart. As more and more new breeds of chickens began arriving to America and Eng- land, from the 1850s to the 1890s, the unique miniatures attracted a lot of attention. From about 1900 until about the 1950s, breeders attempted to miniaturize all of the Standard-sized breeds. From Leghorns to Buckeyes to Plymouth Rocks and others, every Standard-sized breed was duplicated in miniature.

Defining “Real” Bantam chickens have been used for hobby purposes for a long time. But are they “real” chickens? This question is one that was spread around many of us poultry-folk in the East Coast for a long time. A real chicken is a breed of chicken that can do well at what chickens are meant to do — lay eggs, produce meat — like a Dorking or Plymouth Rock. In fact, I remember poultry judge Bruno Bortner calling an especially nice Dorking “a real chicken,” meaning it would be productive without pampering. A decline has come to large fowl chickens since the commercial poultry industry split from the exhibition industry, and from about the 1950s on, they became less and less in demand. (Though the backyard poultry movement is starting to change this.) During the last 30 years, more Bantam chicken breeds are appearing at shows. This is largely due to the fact that Bantams are about a third the size of large fowl, eat much less, need smaller pens, and more of them can be easily transported due to the small size of the carrying cages needed. They cost the same amount of money to enter at shows and sell for about the same prices for quality. So all in all, Bantams have a lot to offer as a hobby animal. My first encounter with chickens came as a young child. My grandfather Bantam hens from the late 1950s. kept a flock of mixed Bantams. He called them Junno Bantams, as in, “You know, Bantams …” I doubt that he ever received a “purebred” Bantam. His were an old landrace group from the mountains of Virginia. His Bantam hens laid well, set on their own eggs and ranged all day. He kept one group at his cabin, where they received feed and care every week or two, and were maintained this way for years. The males were bold as can be. One even took on a hawk that swooped in to attack the flock and lived to crow about it. The hens were fierce guardians of their broods. As I found out at age 3, never touch a “banty” hen’s chicks. The hen not only got her chick back, she ran me to the house and beat me as I tried to get in the backdoor!

Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 23 Left: A Beyer hen. Center: A White Plymouth Rock. Right: A Golden Sebright.

It is only now, as the years have that have reached a pinnacle for type passed, that I have come to appreciate (the shape of the outline of the chicken). that my grandfather’s Bantams were Myself and some of my most large-fowl- “real chickens.” They had more akin centric friends have found ourselves look- to the original birds of Banten than the ing at a Bantam or two and exclaiming, many well-bred show specimens. His “There’s a real chicken.” birds were survivors, and due to this, they were well-bred, even if they came in Are Bantams Real Chickens? Yes! many colors. There are still some small For some, they are even ideal chickens. flocks out there of similar Bantams, like They take less space, will lay well, can Kentucky Specks. To anyone whose flock be eaten, and can make wonderful pets. fits that description, I hope you continue While their eggs are smaller and may to keep them going. not be as well received as large eggs, As far show quality stock goes, for a tell your friends and family that three number of years, really up until the last Bantam eggs equal two large eggs. And 20 years, the quality of most Bantam yes, I have a friend who makes chicken chicken breeds was often lower than pot pies out of their culled Bantams. that of the their large fowl counterparts. They even serve them as whole roasted It was common for Bantams to have low chickens, one per guest. So while I will wings, or their proportions unbalanced. say my large fowl are my favorites, But the truth of the matter is that today’s there is room for a few Bantams around top Bantam breeders are producing birds here, too.

Bantams come in many sizes and colors, and should be considered “real chickens.”

24 Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 Small & Useful Bantam Chickens

Young Silkie and Dutch Bantams

By Christine Heinrichs, California

antams are the introduction to Modern Game bantams. Silkies have conformation and plumage, as well as the chickens for a lot of people. They hair-like feathers and black skin. They objective aspects such as size. Bantams aren’t a breed, but an entire set of are shown in seven color varieties, with are prized for their small size, so limited chickenB breeds. They are just like full-size beards and without. weight ranges are part of the Standards. chickens but only one-fifth to one-quarter, Exhibiting bantams at shows is part The smallest, the American Serama, must 20 to 25 percent, the size. of the fun of owning them. Many bantam not be larger than 16 ounces for a rooster, “You can have 10 bantams in the space breeders are dedicated to preserving pure 14 ounces for a hen. you would need for two large fowl,” said breeds. The APA and ABA Standards Don’t skimp on buying your own Stan- Doris Robinson, director of the Youth provide guidance as to exactly what that dard. It’s the only way to know exactly Exhibition Poultry Association. “Bantams means. what is expected of your breed. It’s the best are for folks who want chickens in their A breed is distinguished from other investment you can make. Joining one or backyard but don’t have enough room for chickens by readily recognized traits that both organizations keeps you connected large fowl layers.” can be described. Breeds breed true — to serious poultry keepers. Don’t confuse the term “Standard” their offspring resemble their parents The American Bantam Association with large fowl. Both large fowl and ban- in predictable ways. A breed has unique helps connect prospective bantam keep- tams have standards to meet. appearance, productivity, and behavior. ers with breeders. Its annual Yearbook is “Standard means you are raising birds Varieties have differences within the chock full of breed information, photos, that are accepted by the APA or ABA,” breed, such as feather color or pattern, listings of judges and winners and adver- Robinson said. comb type or beards and muffs, the feath- tisements for all kinds of bantams. There’s a certain “Wow” factor to ban- ers around the head. ABA President Matt Lhamon of Ohio tams, as bantams come in all imaginable The APA and ABA standards describe gets requests almost daily for the full colors and feather patterns. what the birds of each breed should range of bantam breeds. He usually refers The variation is dizzying: 34 color look like. Judges are schooled in the them to the appropriate breed club, but varieties of Old English Game bantams, different breeds, serving apprentice- information about all breeds is available a dozen of American Game bantams, 18 ships to acquire the skills to judge body in the Yearbook.

Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 25 Kids and Bantams Bantams can be a good way for kids to get involved in poultry. Their small size makes them easy for small hands to manage. Most are gentler than large fowl birds. What is the Difference With some supervision, kids can take responsibility for care and husbandry. They Between a Bantam and are easier for children—and adults—to shampoo for a show. a Standard Chicken? Poultry can be a lifetime enjoyable hobby or it can lead to a satisfying profes- sion, but having facts on the number of Bantam hen breeds and varieties shown helps ABA leaders know what birds are being raised. Size is the biggest Old English Games remain far and away difference with the most popular bantam, and Silkies have bantams being one-fifth a strong following. Polish are regaining to one-fourth the size popularity, especially the White Crested of a standard chicken. Black and White Crested Blue varieties. A true bantam is a Lhamon raises Modern Games and is a chicken that has no member of that breed club. standard counterpart. “No single breeder can save every- Examples include thing,” he said. “A breeder needs at Japanese, Dutch, Silkie, least five males and 10 females to have and Sebright. a solid foundation. There’s a difference between multiplying them and keeping a breed going.” Bantams that have been on the Inactive list are occasionally shown, and the breed brought back to Active status. Cornish bantams have declined in popularity, but the Ko-Shamo, newly recognized in 2013, has attracted a flurry of new breeders. Their unusual erect stance, split wing, and sparse feathering mark them as distinctly different from their conventional image of a chicken. Lhamon has updated the ABA books on Silkies and Cochins and is working to revise the book on Wyandottes.

Photo by Bantam Eggs Grace McCain Many bantams are excellent layers, although their eggs are predictably small. One friend prefers her bantam eggs to Silkies large fowl eggs. She finds one large fowl egg not enough, and two too many. But like Goldilocks and her porridge, two bantam eggs are “just right.” Bantam eggs weigh only 1 to 1-1/4 ounces. A large chicken egg weighs 2 ounces, the usual ingredient in recipes. A small egg weighs 1-1/2 ounces; extra- large ones weigh 2-1/4 ounces, and jum- bos weigh 2-1/2 ounces. Figure accord- ingly for cooking and baking. Weight isn’t the sole consideration: the proportion of Sebrights yolk to white is higher in bantam eggs, which may affect some delicate gourmet recipes. If in doubt, give yourself time to

26 Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 try using bantam eggs in the dish before preparing it for a special occasion! “My grandmother swore by those little eggs for cooking,” said Mr. Lhamon. “She would sell off or give away all the large fowl eggs we would get but hold on to every bantam egg.”

Breed Characteristics Bantams are often known for their broodiness and willingness to be good mothers. There are also bantams Chickens need to be instinctually driven of the standard breeds. to set for the 21 days required to hatch These are considered eggs. Not all chickens retain this natural miniatures. drive. Chickens stop laying eggs when Life spans decrease as they become broody, so breeders who size decreases. The life are focused on egg production select hens span of a standard chicken who don’t get broody for their flocks. Over is 8 to 15 years and bantams time, many breeds, especially large fowl, about 4 to 8 years. have lost the ability to brood their own Bantams do lay edible eggs — about eggs. Bantam hens are often willing to three to four bantam eggs are equal to two hatch any eggs placed under them. standard eggs. Many love to eat bantam This quality became part of the plot eggs because they contain more yolk and in a book, Flossie and Bossie, published less white. in 1949. “As a hazelnut is to a walnut, a Bantams are often prized for their set- Brussels sprout to a cabbage, an Austin ting ability. And they are popular; especially to a Cadillac — so is a bantam to a regular in urban settings, chicken,” Eva Le Gallienne wrote in her because they need novel about two bantam hens in a barnyard. less space than Ms. LeGallienne drew on her observations standards. of her own bantams to write the book. It’s As a rule, you now out of print, but your local library may can house 10 ban- be able to locate a copy for you. tams in the same space three standards would occu- Getting Started The best breed is the one — or more — you py. Plus, the roost- love. To get started, visit a poultry show er’s crow is much and look at the chickens being exhibited. quieter. Talk to the breeders. Join the ABA and get your own copy of the Yearbook, which profiles the different breeds. Attend a meeting of your local poultry club. Hatcheries provide professional service, shipping day-old chicks. Chicks don’t need food or water for two or three days after hatching, living off the retained yolk. Shipping is safe, although it’s helpful to notify the local post office to expect a shipment of live birds. Husbandry is the same as for large fowl chickens: they need a safe place to live, nutritious food and clean water. However, large fowl chickens require more space and feed than bantams. Inexperienced suburbanites who jumped into large fowl chickens as layers without adequate preparation and felt overwhelmed might do better with bantams.

Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 27 “They don’t eat much,” Robinson said. “They just scratch around and enjoy life.” If you live where you can keep roosters, you may decide to breed your birds. Specialty breed clubs can connect you with expert breeders in your area. You can become part of breed conservation. “As a hazelnut is to a walnut, a Brussels sprout Every flock develops its own identity. Each flock helps protect the breed against loss. to a cabbage, an Austin to a Cadillac — Unusual breeds and color patterns such as Sebrights, Cochins and Mille so is a bantam to a regular chicken,” Fleur d’Uccles attract attention, but can be high maintenance and difficult to breed Eva Le Gallienne wrote in her novel about well. Mr. Lhamon advises starting with two bantam hens in a barnyard. practical breeds that can be bred well such as Plymouth Rocks and Wyandottes. “It’s a big transition to go from a few backyard birds to the show ring,” he said.

Enjoy Your Birds “Right now myself, I’m raising all bantams,” Robinson said. “They are easier to handle and they lay beautifully. They don’t need as much room or protection. “Many a lady, tired of having nothing to mind the voice of a little fellow no bigger To me, bantams are better able to take pet but a tom-cat, has wondered longingly than a pigeon? She is made happy; and care of themselves.” whether she might not keep a few fowls; even the tom-cat, ousted at first from his Their many colorful varieties let you but looking at her garden with regretful olden place, but who has provided for him choose more than one favorite. Lewis eyes, has decided that half of it would be a never-ending subject of interest in the Wright, writing in his 1890 Illustrated needed, and that she could not spare that; perpetually intense speculation as to the Book of Poultry about bantams, reflects when the happy thought has crossed her possibility of some peculiarly tiny chicken in language of a different time about mind, ‘Why not keep bantams?’ A little coming some day through to the wrong advantages that still apply today: space — just that strip which can so eas- side of the wire — even he is made happy ily be spared — will content them; and too. Decidedly, bantams have their place as to crowing, who in the world would in the world.” Golden Sebright Bantam Chicken Classifications The American Poultry Association has a bantam division, divided into five catego- Bearded Black ries for exhibition: Games, Single Comb Silkie Bantam Clean Legged Other Than Games, Rose Comb Clean Legged, All Other Combs Clean Legged and Feather Legged. They are usually shortened to initials only at shows, resulting in an alphabet soup of letters — SCCL, RCCL, AOCCL — that looks obscure to the uninitiated. Now you know. The American Bantam Association has its own separate Standard. Although Bantam pullet the two organizations work together cooperatively, the ABA recognizes more breeds and color varieties of breeds than the APA, 56 breeds and 392 varieties. The ABA divides Bantam chickens into six classes: Modern Games; Old English and American Games; Single Comb Clean Leg; Rose Comb Clean Leg; All Other Combs Clean Leg; and Feather Leg. The ABA has a separate class for bantam ducks. Exhibiting bantams at shows is part of the fun of owning them.

28 Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 True Bantams Every large fowl breed has a corre- sponding bantam breed. Some bantams, however, are unique. Those are considered “True Bantams.” That includes Japanese, now recognized by the ABA in 17 varieties and by the APA in nine. The Black-Tailed White was included in the first APA Standard in 1874. Other true bantams are Belgian Bearded d’Anvers, Belgian Bearded d’Uccle, Booted, Dutch, Pyncheon, Vorwerk, Rosecomb, Sebright and Silkie. Nankins are a true bantam, recognized in both single and rose comb, by the ABA. Bantams are prized for their small size, Top: Wyandotte so limited weight ranges are part of the Bantam family Standards. The smallest, the American Right: Serama must not be larger than 16 ounces Pyncheon for a rooster, 14 ounces for a hen. Their Bantams light weight and ratio of body size to wing makes them good flyers. They will fly right over the fence. Kids who are interested in chickens can get started with bantams. They’re easier to hold and usually gentler than large fowl. With some supervision, kids can take responsibility for food, water, and cleanup. Sultan Bantams Christine Heinrichs writes from Califor- nia and works closely with the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. Founded in 1977, the nonprofit works to protect more than 150 breeds of animals from extinc- Nankin tion. For more information, visit www. albc-usa.org.

Belgian Bantam group; Black Silver Duckwings.

Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 29 WYANDOTTES An American Tradition

Columbian Wyandottes grazing in the backyard. The Columbian Wyandotte was first exhibited in 1893 at the Columbian Exposition in Chicago, later known as the World’s Fair. This is how this variety was named. They were admitted into the Standard in 1905. Photos courtesy of Dr. Don Monke unless otherwise noted.

By Dr. Don Monke and Jonathan Patterson

Wyandotte Characteristics The Wyandotte is considered to be a “breed of curves.” A Wyandotte chickens are one of the most prominent breeds of poul- good Wyandotte has a well-rounded chest and underbody that try in the United States. Their hardiness, dual-purpose capabilities, curves up to the head and tail. The concept of balance within size, variety of colors, and temperament are just a few reasons why curves can be illustrated by placing a circle over a side-view of they are one of the more popular breeds for fanciers. The Wyan- a bird. The bird should fit nicely inside a circle with the only dotte is a compact bird with a stout stature. The head, body, and space showing being the gap between the back of the head and tail carriage are well-balanced and fit together nicely. Their legs the tail (Fig. 2). On the topside, the back should be a convex are straight and set well apart under the balanced body (Fig. 1). slope up to the tip of the tail at a 40-degree angle for males (Fig. 3) and 30 degrees for the female. The tail is relatively short with well spread main tail feathers (Fig. 4). The Wyandotte is a pretty bird that is broad and wide and it begs the attention of onlookers. The large fowl Wyandotte weighs in at a modest 7.5 to 8.5 pounds for males and 5.5 to 6.5 pounds for females. The size of the birds put them in a category known as “dual- purpose breeds.” This means they are able to lay a moderate number of eggs and still be big enough to use as table fowl. The yellow skin and soft feathers make for an attractive option when selecting birds for meat. All American breeds of poultry have yellow skin; the softer feathers make them easier to pluck. Another favorable characteristic of the Wyandotte is the rose comb on top of their heads (Fig. 5). Because the comb lies close to the head it is not subject to frostbite as a bird with a single comb. If you exhibit poultry you may notice that the Wyandotte breed is quite popular in colder climate The tight rose comb makes Wyandottes less prone to frostbite, mak- states such as the upper Midwest. There are typically more ing this a popular breed for cold climates, such as this pair of Silver Wyandottes entered in these shows than anywhere else in Penciled Wyandottes owned by Merle Watson, Nova Scotia, Canada. the nation.

30 Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 Fig. 1: The two White cockerels are well-balanced and stand on strong straight legs.

Fig. 3: This White cockerel shows the angle of the tail rising at almost 40° above the horizontal as described in the Standard. The bird is standing tall as the photographer was making noise to get its attention.

Fig. 4: The main tail feathers are wide spread at the base in this White cockerel.

Fig. 2: This White pullet illustrates the well-rounded and balanced body of the Wyandotte. Note that the red circle is mostly filled with the rounded breast. The bottom line of the fluff curves upward toward the tail. The tail is full and wide set. The cushion on this pullet is too full which causes the sweep of the back to rise upward rather than in a straight line at a 300 angle toward the main tail feathers. This photo illustrates that no bird achieves all aspects of the Standard. Furthermore, how a bird stands or moves immediately before the photo is snapped can alter how well it meets the description in the Standard.

Fig. 5: The rose comb on this pullet is set low and firm on the top of its head. This comb does not have a hollow or depressed center. The rose comb of the Wyandotte can also be appreciated in Figures 1 and 3.

Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 31 Wyandotte Varieties The American Poultry Association recognizes nine varieties of large fowl and 10 bantam varieties. The American Bantam Association recognizes 18 varieties. Some varieties are more popular than others. In large fowl, the White and Silver Laced From these humble origins the Wyandotte breed developed varieties are by far the most popular. Typically the solid colored and flourished. The Silver Laced color pattern was the first birds are tough competitors. However, some dedicated breeders variety of Wyandottes recognized by the American Poultry As- of varieties with color patterns are improving the conformation sociation. It was admitted to the Standard of Perfection in 1883. and size of the birds. Examples of varieties gaining in popular- Other early varieties were developed as “sports” of the Sil- ity are the Columbian, Silver Penciled, and Partridge varieties. ver Laced variety or a combination of the Silver Laced variety crossed with another breed of a desired color. The whites and blacks came directly from the Silvers as “sports.” Golden Laced, Partridge, Silver Penciled, and Columbian were all crossed with another breed to get the desired color patterns. If you are searching for a breed for small farm use or exhibition, the Wyandotte is a great choice. Hatcheries produce thousands of Wyandottes every year in many of the varieties. If you are consid- A pair of Columbian ering taking your birds to shows to see how well they match the Wyandotte hens. This Standard of Perfection you will find there are hundreds of people variety is gaining across North America producing top quality stock. The Wyandotte popularity, as are the Breeders of America has more than 100 members. Silver Penciled and Partridge.

The origin of the Wyandotte breed and the Silver Laced color pattern is shrouded in mystery. In the late 1800s, the birds we now recognize as Wyandottes were known as American Sebrights because of their peculiar lacing. While Dark Brahmas and the Silver Spangled Hamburg were considered to be two of the breeds responsible for the color of the “American Sebright,” complete knowledge of the origin remains unknown. This situation has been explained well by Mr. Theo Hewes in a book published in 1908. Mr. Hewes writes, “When by accident the blood of several Four Silver Laced pullets pick through hay spread on the snow in breeds of fowls was mingled, each adding a little and losing much a pen located outside their coop. The Silver Laced variety is the of its own strength in the offspring, there was none to predict that parent variety of the Wyandotte breed, probably originating in these crosses, brought together no doubt by merest accident, the state of New York. would give to poultry fanciers a foundation for one of the most popular breeds of fowl the world has ever known. But such is true, and there is not today, nor never has been at any time, a single person that could give an absolutely correct account of Bantam Wyandottes the crosses that produced the first Wyandotte.” The American Bantam Association recognizes 18 color varieties of bantam Wyandottes. Bantams weigh 26 to 30 ounces for Wyandotte Name Honors Indian Tribe’s Kindness males and 24 to 26 ounces for females. As indicated by the lesser The name “Wyandotte” also seems to have been somewhat acci- weight value of the birds compared to large Wyandottes, the dental. In the late 1800s, there was no breed of large fowl having the bantam varieties are simply a smaller version. peculiar lacing of the Sebright bantams other than the “American Bantam Wyandottes are generally nice birds to raise and Sebright” fowl. As Mr. Hewes explains, “There was some discussion handle. Bantams also consume considerably less feed per bird as to what name they should have when they were first talked of than large Wyandottes. While the eggs produced from bantams as a Standard fowl and we are in doubt as to who first suggested are smaller in size, they are certainly suitable for consumption. the name of Wyandottes, but our oldest writers on the subject In general, two bantam eggs are equivalent to one typical large give credit to Mr. Fred A. Houdlette…The name Wyandotte was egg. So, if you are not sure if you want to eat one or two regular given…in honor of a powerful tribe of American Indians that had size eggs for breakfast, just cook three bantam eggs and resolve in many instances, shown their friendship for the white race.” your gastronomic dilemma.

32 Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 Above: The Aho’s Partridge Wyandotte bantam flock. The Partridge variety has a black “penciling” pattern on top of the deep reddish bay background color. The penciling pattern consists of narrow, concentric linear markings within the web of the feather. The penciling lines should be sharply defined, narrow, and uniform in width. Photos courtesy of Ken and Mary Aho, Michigan. Right: A Partridge Wyandotte Bantam pullet stands in a show coop.

Because of their small size, fanciers can house many ban- each ovum carries one of the pair of genes for comb shape (a tams in the same coop space required for several large fowl. process known as meiosis). The symbol “R” is used to illustrate This can be an important factor for persons living in suburban the inheritance pattern of the rose and single comb traits. Capital areas or who have limited space available for poultry coops. “R” represents the dominant gene and a lower case “r” is used When raising any breed of poultry to improve conformation for the recessive gene. Because the rose comb is dominant to per the descriptions in the Standard of the American Bantam the single comb, the genetic pattern (or genotype) for rose Association or American Poultry Association, the fancier must comb and single comb are as follows: have many coops for mating the adults and raising the young birds. When available space is a limiting factor, the bantam Wyandotte may be a logical selection for the fancier to raise. The bantam varieties that usually place well in shows are the Whites, Blacks, and Partridge. The other ABA-recognized varieties are Barred, Birchen, Black Breasted Red, Blue, Blue Red, Brown Red, Buff, Buff Columbian, Columbian, Golden Laced, Lemon Blue, Silver Laced, and Silver Penciled, Splash, and White Laced Red.

Heritability of the Rose Comb Trait As stated in the table, a bird with a rose comb may have both The rose comb and the single comb are inherited as two types dominant genes for the rose comb (RR) or it may have one domi- of comb shape on the same gene. The traits are inherited in a nant and one recessive gene (Rr). You cannot tell the difference simple autosomal manner, which means they are not sex-linked when looking at the bird. Breeds with a single comb have both and the inheritance pattern is straightforward. Every mammal recessive genes (rr) for this trait. When birds with a rose comb and bird inherits a pair of genes — one from its sire and one are mated, most chicks will have a rose comb; however, a few from its dam. During development of the male sperm and the chicks with a single comb may be hatched. When birds with a female ovum, each pair of genes divide so that each sperm and single comb are mated, all the chicks will have a single comb.

[1] Crawford RD, Smyth JR. Studies of the relationship between fertility and the gene for rose comb in the domestic fowl. 2. The relationship between comb genotype and duration of fertility. 1964. Poultry Sci. 43: 1018-1026.

References • Hewes, T. (1908) “Wyandottes, in colors and how to judge them,” The Inland Poultry Journal Company, Indianapolis. p 5-6. • American Poultry Association (2010). The American Standard of Perfection, a complete description of all recognized breeds and varieties of domestic poultry. Published by the American Poultry Association, Burgettstown, Pennsylvania. • American Bantam Association (2006). Bantam Standard, for the breeder, exhibitor and judge. 11th ed. Published by The Cov- ington Group, Kansas City. • Don Monke is President of the Wyandotte Breeders of America club and is APA Master Exhibitor # 521. • Jonathan Patterson is Vice President of the Wyandotte Breeders of America club and is APA Master Exhibitor # 577.

Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 33 Jan Brett proudly displays her signature Polish breed birds at her hen house in Massachusetts. Jan lives in Norwell and Tyringham, Massachusetts with her husband, Joseph Hearne, a bassist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and many, many chickens.

A Storybook Life of a an Brett is an author and illustrator of dozens of children’s books. Each Jbook, with its intricate illustrations POLISH CHICKEN and colorful stories about animals and children from far away places, is trea- Jan Brett, author and illustrator, travels sured throughout the world by children and adults alike. Landscapes, habitats, the world and raises world-class chickens fashions and customs come to life with gorgeous details. Jan’s travels have

Story and Photos by Tamara Staples, New York taken her to Switzerland, Scandinavia, Costa Rica, China, Russia, the Arctic and even her native Nantucket to name

34 Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 a few. Although books were their “ladies” by making a Jan’s first love and passion nest for egg laying, roost- since childhood, there is ing nearby for company or another side to this author: even delivering a special Jan Brett is also a chicken food item like kale as an breeder and serious com- offering. petitor at The Fancy. She’s even witnessed Jan grew up in the Bos- content love triangles with ton suburbs. Her parents two hens. Watching these purchased a house after fall- rituals and relationships ing in love with the adjacent unfold is at the very heart barn. The Brett parents of Jan’s love for these knew that Jan and her two birds. younger sisters would learn It’s the everyday that responsibility caring for attracts Jan to this life of animals, and the pets were chickens. There is joy plentiful: a horse, guinea in watching the mothers pigs, donkeys, chickens. If with the babies; sweet they weren’t playing with This is a painting of Jan’s on the backside of her hen house. little calls get the chicks to their own animals they come running to find safe- were down the road watch- ty under the hen’s massive ing the neighbors milk the wing. Walk around to the cows or if lucky, watching a calf being and Rick Porr were always generous in other side of the bird to see the little born. Most of the chickens that Jan loved sharing their breeding stock, giving her chick peaking out from the backside, re- were pets, but a few had been purchased the greatest gift, two top bloodlines. inforcing the mother/child bond. Jan also with the idea that they would provide food Jan always had a keen interest in the admires the way chickens and children for the family. When eating a chicken genetic history of animals. When raising are so natural together. The birds have an dinner one night, Jan finally made the guinea pigs as a child, she delighted in innate trust and patience in their dealings connection and was so shocked by the keeping meticulous notes, therefore, the with children. idea of killing what she thought were pets breeding aspect of show chickens came My 1940s Standard of Perfection that she became a vegetarian. naturally to her. Her breeding secret is shows the Polish breed is in a class all In 1999, Jan was working on a new this: she is careful to match up birds with by itself, literally. However, a newer book, Hedgie’s Surprise; one character complimentary features, but she gives version puts the Polish Bantams in the was to be a chicken. She needed a suit- chickens a chance to “fall in love.” She least exotic class of: All Other Combs able subject that was easy to handle, that admits that this might sound preposter- Clean Legged Bantams. Europeans would sit atop a table in her art studio that ous to some, she is convinced that it hap- call the Polish “The Crested Dutch.” she could draw from life. When research- pens with some regularity. Jan describes Charles Darwin classifies any top-notch ing, she found one bird that was not only how the males begin an elaborate dance chicken as “Crested or Polish” but did beautiful but would make a great pet: and make special sounds to attract the not give specific data regarding the the Silver Laced Wyandotte Large Fowl. females. The males are seemingly kind to origin. The plumage was full and luxurious, and it had a rose comb, which is perfect for the New England Winters. Day-old chicks were readily available at the feed and seed store nearby. Jan was hooked and quickly added other breeds to the pen: Silkies, Buff Brahma, and finally White Crested Black Polish, which would become her signature bird. She purchased her first White Crested Black Polish in 2003, the same year she showed for the first time at the Boston Poultry Exhibition. She credits many a fancier with teaching her to breed a champion and to keep her flock in fine feather. She singles out a few breeders although there have been many: Janet Winnett, a Silkie breeder who spoon fed her the knowledge she’d need for a life- A Polish male (left) and female (right). Photographer is Arthur Schilling, 1922, from The time of chicken breeding; Joel Henning Standard of Perfection. Used with permission from The American Poultry Association.

Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 35 distributing lots of soft dry shavings and Jan’s White Crested Black Polish Bantam Hen Cobleskill spraying for insects. She keeps a close Poultry Show, 2010. eye on their health by checking their droppings for an unusual odor, color or shape. Jan is a firm believer in smell as an indication of the well-being of birds. She loves the smell of baby chicks. When doing school tours, she’ll bring in a few chickens for the students to smell. Certainly, when it comes to chickens, smells are abundant, so I was delighted to hear Jan speak so lovingly of the good smell. The health of her birds is a great source of pride for Jan: Health equals Beauty. True to her artistic sensibilities, Jan can see the smallest aspects of physical beauty in these birds. She describes the view from afar is like gazing upon a jewel, but as you move closer, you will see a world of textures and colors from the individual feathers, the unusual hue and pattern of the eyes, the reptilian markings of the legs, the natural arrangement and luminosity that the feathers together produce. She describes with awe, the way the female tail makes a little tent covering a field of fluff underneath. In Jan’s book, Cinders, A Chicken Cinderella, (Penguin, 2013) these details come to life in stunning illustrations. There’s no dispute that the Polish be uniform, thin and well rounded on When Jan began raising Silver Phoenix has a long history. Some agree that the the lower edges. The neck is of medium Large Fowl, they became the inspiration bird was found in the Netherlands in length, with a slight arch and abundant for Cinders and the Prince Cockerel. the 15th century. Regardless, it is one hackle flowing over the shoulders. Eyes Because of her intimate knowledge of of the most instantly recognizable birds are reddish bay, earlobes white, shanks birds, we are treated to gorgeous, real- due to the protrusion of feathers that and toes slate and beak should be bluish istic drawings of a variety of breeds. It is sits prominently on the top of the head, black. here that Jan’s two worlds merge. known as a crest. The female’s crest is The Polish Bantam is an energetic but round, where the male’s crests are much friendly breed. A roofed in run is best for looser, due to the nature of the feathers, these birds. If let free in a garden, their which are longer and slimmer. This crest crests tend to get very dirty and their head is the trademark of this particular breed, plumage is an inviting breeding ground but should be in proportion to the body. for crest mites. And the most important Too big a crest offsetting the balance of reason to keep an eye on the birds is that the bird is not desirable, and when the due to a limited field vision, they are easy crest impedes vision the bird will not be prey. These are the Standard’s recognized vibrant in its show pen. varieties of Polish Bantams: White Crested A slender and elegant country fowl, Black (non-bearded), White Crested Blue the bird has a mostly erect carriage. The (non-bearded), Buff Laced (bearded and back slopes down to the tail, which stands non-bearded), Golden Laced (bearded and at a 45-degree angle about the horizontal. non-bearded), Silver Laced (bearded and The males have well-developed ornamen- non-bearded), and White (bearded and tal feathers in which the sickles gracefully non-bearded). fall long over the tail. The comb if any is Jan’s routine includes regularly small, red and V-shaped; wattles are to cleaning her pens with a dry vacuum,

36 Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 Delawares A Few Are Passionately Trying To Recreate This Entirely American Bird

By Christine Heinrichs, California

he Delaware is a 20th-century creation, developed specifically for the growing broiler market in the 1940s. It’s so pretty, it was recognized by the APA for exhibition (in 1952), in those years when production was as significant as beauty. Timing T is everything, though, and the Delaware’s usefulness was soon eclipsed by the industrial focus on the bottom line. The Cornish-Rock cross replaced it in commercial flocks. Its composite background as a cross-bred bird undermined its popularity in the show ring, and poultry keepers stopped raising it. It all but disappeared. Fortunately, because it was the result of crossing two Standard breeds, it can be and has been re-created. A few breeders are taking on the challenge and finding eager followers for this vigorous, fast-maturing breed. Between the World Wars, the poultry industry was changing, as was American life. People were moving from the countryside, where every farm family had its own flock, to urban life in the cities. They still needed eggs and chicken meat to eat, so the poultry industry began its transformation into a modern industry. The USDA and university extension services got on board, bringing research techniques to poultry breeding. Crossing breeds was a popular way to solve common poultry inconveniences such as: separating males from females early, ideally right after they hatch; eliminating black pinfeathers that were considered unsightly on the yellow skin of the dressed carcass; faster growth and maturity. Breeders crossed all the popular breeds of the

Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 37 chickens edged out these complica- tions. Commercial white Plymouth Rock females bred to white Cornish males became the basis for the industry. The Crossing a Barred Rock male with a New Delaware, after all that careful breeding Hampshire female produced a barred chicken and selection, was relegated to a histori- cal footnote. that grew faster and was more vigorous than That didn’t mean that it wasn’t a very useful breed. Its fine meat has its parent Plymouth Rock. prevailed as its best quality, but it is truly a dual-purpose breed that is a good layer of light brown eggs. It’s a good choice for small production flocks. New breeders are re-discovering it. time: Rhode Island Reds, New Hamp- worked with Ellis, with the goal of de- Leslie Joyce of Oregon is working shires, Plymouth Rocks and a Cornish. veloping a line of Columbian pattern with birds from Kathy Hardisty Bonham Crossing breeds was a popular way males to breed with New Hampshire in Missouri. The color is good, but the tail to solve common poultry inconveniences and Rhode Island Red females, result- needs to be broader. “I love my ‘Kathy’s such as: separating males from females ing in Delaware chicks. Breeding New Line’ birds,” she said, “Though they are early, ideally right after they hatch; Hampshire or Rhode Island Red males still a work in progress.” eliminating black pinfeathers that were on Delaware females produces sex- Ms. Joyce finds the males protective considered unsightly on the yellow skin linked chicks, Delaware pattern males and good flock leaders. She watched of the dressed carcass; faster growth and and red females. The first homozygous her breeding cock go after and chase maturity. Breeders crossed all the popu- Delaware was such a fine example of the away a hawk that threatened the flock. lar breeds of the time, including Rhode line Ellis was seeking to create that he Although they are brave and free-range Island Reds, New Hampshires, Plymouth called him Superman. happily on her pasture, they don’t fly Rocks and a Cornish. Crossing a Barred That all makes sense to large pro- over the fence and leave home. And the Rock male with a New Hampshire female duction farms, but ultimately, all-white chicks are the cutest ever. produced a barred chicken that grew faster and was more vigorous than its parent Plymouth Rock. Not every chick grew up barred, though. George Ellis, owner of Indian River Hatchery in Ocean View, Delaware, noticed that a few sports were a variation of the popular Columbian pattern. The Standard definition of Columbian plumage is silvery white, with black feathers in the neck, cape, and tail. Ideally, the saddle has a black V-shaped stripe on the back. Ellis’ sports had barred feathers on their necks, wings, and tails, even less likely to show up as black pinfeathers on the dressed birds. The complicated underlying genes were not understood when Ellis was breeding his birds back in the 1940s. Back in the 1940s, Edmund Hoffmann was studying poultry at the University of Delaware. He took a job working at Indian River Hatchery. He worked with Ellis, with the goal of developing a line of Columbian pattern males to breed with New Hampshire and Rhode Island Red females, resulting in Delaware chicks. Back in the 1940s, Edmund Hoff- mann was studying poultry at the University of Delaware. He took a job working at Indian River Hatchery. He

38 Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 “I like that big-headed bird,” she said. mutts. They are adequate for her laying Ms. Consol looks to her chickens for “Delaware chicks are tiny fat balls of fluff. operation, 120 birds producing 30 dozen both meat and eggs. She’s delighted with They have a funny, serious look. They are a week for the local food buying club and the Delawares’ eggs but wants to improve classic chicks.” the rest for a short list of customers who their meat. Poultry judge Walt Leonard of Santa like her eggs. But they aren’t the chick- “If I can get them maturing a bit Rosa, California is impressed with Ms. ens she wants to breed. Delawares breed faster, I think they will be an excellent Joyce and other breeders who are work- true, meaning their offspring resemble option to Freedom Rangers, for farmers ing with the re-created Delawares and their parents in predictable ways. Her who want to raise pastured meat birds the birds they are raising. He’s mentor- Delawares are good broody hens and that can reproduce,” she said. ing Kim Consol, whose Delaware hen good mothers. All those qualities make the Dela- took Reserve Champion Large Fowl at The pale brown egg isn’t as eye- ware the breed that best suits Ms. Joyce. the National Heirloom Exposition in catching as the exotic blue and green “That’s the proof that your chicken can be Santa Rosa in 2014 and Reserve Cham- that show up in her laying flock, but a chicken,” she said. “That’s more impor- pion American at the Nor-Cal Poultry she detects a slightly better flavor in the tant than cranking out a million chicks.” Association Show in Red Bluff in 2015. Delaware eggs. “I think they would be fine for sub- The new Nor-Cal show attracted “I think their eggs are a little yum- urban backyards,” Ms. Consol said, “If about 750 birds. APA president Dave mier,” she said. “It could be the way people can give them some space to Anderson judged the American class. they process the fat that makes the yolk range and be aware that they do like to He found Ms. Consol’s Delaware hen creamier.” dig a lot!” excellent, placing her at reserve behind a White Rock. Mr. Leonard’s New Hamp- shire was below them. “It was a small show but there were some good birds,” he said. “If you have top notch people showing, a small show can be harder than a large show. That male I have is pretty good and in good condition. I just got beat.” The Delawares he has judged have good bodies, large but not afflicted with pinched tail. “The New Hampshires that were used to re-create them had really wide open tails, almost too open,” he said. “They got the size early on.” The color is the problem. “It’s a complex color pattern,” he said. “You need to keep everything white in between, get the dark colors where they should be, with the middle being clear. The gray always wants to go somewhere else.” Breeding separate male and female lines may be needed to define that color precisely. Ms. Consol is applying her eye to her flock to cull rigorously and get the color right. She first ordered the Delawares on a whim from Kathy Bonham in 2013, when the birds were in the fourth generation of being re-created. She was charmed by them. “I loved their friendly nature and wonderful foraging ability on pasture, so I decided to breed them,” she said. “The contrast of white with the black pattern makes them beautiful as well.” Raising a breed that reproduces itself well appeals to Ms. Joyce. She consid- ers the chicks the local feed store sells

Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 39 Garfield Farm and the Java Chicken A Second Chance for One of America’s Oldest Breeds

By Ann Stewart

n the mid-1990s, the Java chicken Malmberg, along with Garfield Farm the Garfield Farm breeding project also was nearly extinct. Once a popular Museum Executive Director Jerome resulted in the re-discovery of White and Imarket bird renowned for its meat Johnson, felt strongly that the genetics Auburn Javas, two color varieties of the production, and believed to be America’s of this dual-purpose American poultry Java breed thought to be extinct. second oldest breed of chicken, fewer breed, once a common sight in 1800s than 150 breeding birds remained in the barnyards, should not be lost. A Premiere Homesteading Fowl United States. Although Garfield Farm had kept some A true American heritage breed, the Java At that same time, Garfield Farm Java chickens around since the 1980s, it turned out to be a perfect fit for an 1840s Museum, an 1840s-era farm museum in was not until 1996 that the farm began its farm museum. They have thrived on the LaFox, Illinois, was searching for just the preservation effort, Johnson said. 375-acre Garfield farmstead. right breed of chicken to establish a flock. Garfield’s Black Java breeding flock “They do very well in a barnyard,” “We chose the Black Java because began with just a dozen birds that first year. said Malmgren. “Overall, they’re a it seemed to be in the most troubled However, over the course of the next healthy, hardy bird.” shape,” explained Pete Malmberg, Op- two decades, a small, dedicated group of The breed was originally renowned erations Director at Garfield Farm at the people worked together to hatch thou- for meat production, and was popular time. “It was also appropriate for the time sands more. Along with re-introducing during the second half of the 1800s. Ja- period for Garfield.” the breed to flock owners nationwide, vas were also noted for their hardiness

40 Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 The incubator at Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry. Photo by Tim Christakos.

and foraging ability. The Java played an Garfield Farm’s initial goal was to Garfield to bring Java eggs to the MSI important role in the development of simply increase the population of this facility, where they are sorted, washed, other American poultry breeds, includ- threatened breed. and numbered by hatch date. ing the Jersey Giant, the Rhode Island “In the beginning, we were just trying Chicks then hatch out in full view of Red, and the Plymouth Rock. to hatch out as many as we could,” said spellbound museum visitors, in a large in- However, faster-growing market Malmberg. cubator that is part of its genetics exhibit. birds resulted in a gradual decline in the The exhibit also includes an explanation popularity of the Java. By most accounts, Forming a Partnership of the Java breeding partnership between the breed was rarely seen outside of In 1999, Tim Christakos, manager of Garfield Farm and the museum. barnyard flocks by the 1950s, and its the chick hatchery exhibit at Chicago’s Christakos said he maintains a wait- population had diminished greatly. Museum of Science and Industry (MSI) ing list of interested buyers around the The Java’s conservation status is clas- visited the farm during Garfield’s annual country. Java chick orders are first routed sified as “threatened” by the Livestock Rare Breeds livestock show. through Garfield Farm, then sent to Conservancy, meaning that there are “I found out that Garfield was trying Christakos at the museum. fewer than 1,000 annual registrations in to conserve this breed. We were hatching the United States and fewer than 5,000 commercial chickens at the museum at Two Extinct Varieties Return worldwide. The Livestock Conservancy’s the time, and I thought that this would Christakos also has played a role in the re- last census, in 2011, showed a breeding be a great opportunity to help the breed,” discovery of two varieties of Java chicken population of at least 500 Javas in the explained Christakos. “I called them and believed to be extinct: the Auburn and United States. from that, we started this partnership the White Java. between Garfield Farm and the Museum The White variety was the first to The Breeding Project of Science and Industry.” emerge, in 1999. Although White Javas Garfield Farm Museum’s initial breeding The MSI hatchery offered Garfield were mentioned in earlier literature on stock came from Java breeder Duane Farm much larger economies of scale. the breed, the variety was thought to have Urch, of Urch/Turnland Poultry in Min- “We can hatch so many chicken eggs died out completely by the 1950s. nesota. compared to what they can by a hen,” said “At first, I didn’t even know it was “We knew that Duane’s flock had Christakos. anything out of the ordinary,” said Chris- been a closed flock since the 1960s, so Although exact numbers are not kept, takos. “Everyone at Garfield was just they would hopefully have the true Java Christakos estimates that the museum amazed at that, though. By hatching so genetics,” said Malmberg. has hatched at least 3,000 Black Javas many chicks, these recessive traits finally The museum also confirmed the pu- and 2,000 White Javas. got to re-emerge.” rity of its Java bloodlines through genetic From March through November, Malmgren even exhibited a White testing done at the University of Iowa. Christakos makes a weekly trek to Java at a nearby poultry show.

Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 41 removed sometime before 1910, as they recessive gene that caused the white had were thought to resemble the Plymouth run rampant in the flock. You could no Rock too closely. longer breed two blacks and get a black.” According to the Standard, cocks Wolcott and Garfield Farm staff should weigh about 9 1/2 pounds, and member Dave Bauer worked diligently hens about 7 1/2 pounds. The Java has to sort the flock. a single, upright comb with five well- At that point, Garfield staff also defined points. The breed should have received help from Don Schrider of the a broad, long back with a slight decline, Livestock Conservancy. and a broad, deep body. Legs should be “We worked in partnership with the black or nearly black, and the bottom of Conservancy to begin improving the the feet should be yellow. quality,” Wolcott explained. “Don gave us Black Javas are noted for the strik- a lot of help and helped us pick the best ing beetle green sheen of their black birds for the breeding program. We did feathers. Mottled Javas share the same individual pairings to try to identify Black lustrous greenish-black color, but with Javas without the recessive white gene, sharply defined, v-shaped white tips on and were finally able to identify a small some of their feathers. group of what we called Garfield Javas Black Javas and a couple White Javas. Photo Although the Java is believed to have without the recessive gene for white.” courtesy Garfield Farm Museum. Far East roots, possibly on the island of Initially, five breeding pens, each Java, its exact point of origin is unknown. containing a rooster and four or five hens, According to the APA Standard, the were set up. breed underwent considerable modifi- Garfield Farm also purchased ad- “He won a ribbon for being the first cation once it was brought to the United ditional Black Javas from Duane Urch to show a White Java since before 1900,” States. It is thought to have become es- of Urch/Turnland Poultry, the source of Christakos said. tablished in America sometime between their original flock. A bigger surprise was waiting, how- 1835 and 1850. “We knew that Duane was not pro- ever. ducing whites out of his blacks, so we “In 2003 we hit the real jackpot. We Breeding to the Standard crossed those birds with birds at Garfield finally had a chick emerge with these Although Garfield Farm’s initial goal was without the white gene, and the numbers little brown tufts. I kept her aside hoping to simply increase the population of the of other colors we were getting dropped I’d get a male,” Christakos explained. “By Java, it became apparent over the years significantly,” said Wolcott. the 12th or 13th chick to hatch, we had that a more formal breeding program In 2014, Wolcott’s last year at Garfield full-blown Auburn color. This was a color was needed. Farm, he put a strong emphasis on the that by all accounts had been extinct since “It had gotten to be kind of a mess,” quality of the birds produced. the 1870s. It was the find of a lifetime, and said museum staff member Bill Wolcott, “That last year I tried to breed to the it was really back to the future for breeds Garfield’s Operations Manager from 2008 Standard of Perfection and I was aggres- like the Rhode Island Red, breeds that to 2014. “You could breed two blacks and sively culling more than anybody had. owe a lot to the Java.” get a black, white, auburn, or a sort of We’d been struggling with comb size, In the spring of 2004, the much-await- mottled. The white flock had never been wattles, and the proper sheen,” Wolcott ed male Auburn chick finally hatched. separated from the black flock, and the said. Christakos and Garfield staff realized they were on to something very special. The chicks showing Auburn colors were set aside, with the hope of continuing and preserving those very rare color genetics. Garfield Farm has since worked with poultry breeders in the development of the Auburn Java variety, although that variety is no longer bred at Garfield Farm.

The Java Standard Admitted to the American Poultry As- sociation (APA) Standard of Perfection in 1883, the Java breed is noted in the Standard as a general-purpose bird, producing meat along with brown eggs. Black and Mottled are the two APA recognized color varieties. White Javas were A White Java Rooster among the Black Javas at Garfield Farm Museum. Photo courtesy once included in the Standard, but were of Garfield Farm Museum.

42 Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 He explained that Garfield Farm’s main focus for its poultry flock is the Black Java, although a flock of White Javas is also maintained there. The Backyard Field Guide to Currently, Bauer continues to work on Black Java quality at the farm. “We are down to about 100 birds right Chickens now,” Bauer said. “I’m still trying to focus on culling to the Standard. We focused on foot color first, the number of points on Every common breed of chicken, the comb, and last year in addition, we organized into one information-packed guide. were trying to focus on size. We’ve made big progress in the quality of the birds, but there are things we have to keep an eye on season after season.”

The Future Bauer and the Museum are also taking precautions to preserve the genetics of the Garfield Javas for the future. “For the first time we have established satellite flocks, in case something were to happen to our birds,” Bauer explained. “Last year we established two, and we set up our third this year. These are flocks that are housed off-site. We provided some assistance in getting them started. This will help us keep our bloodline intact in case something happens to the birds here. And, down the road a few years, we can hopefully do some crossing back and get some cross-pollination within the line.” Preserving heritage poultry breeds and their genetic diversity may benefit poultry fanciers as a whole, according to Garfield Farm Museum Executive Director Jerome Johnson. The genetics of the past may hold the key to solving the problems of the present and future, whether in the form of diseases, changing economies, or other unknown factors, he explained. Christakos, of Chicago’s Museum of By Christine Heinrichs Science and Industry, also feels that heritage traits need to be protected. “Saving the Each breed of chicken listed in the field guide is thoroughly described and is Java, in general, might provide the tools we illustrated by color photos. The book tells you all about the bird, detailing each need for the future. We need to continue to breed’s particular usefulness, adaptation to climate, coloration, number of eggs preserve the genetics of these rare breeds typically laid, foraging ability, temperament, and unique qualities. There are for future generations,” he said. fun facts about varieties of chickens, as well as information about color and comb varieties, rare breeds, classification, and hybrids. Sources: Java Breeders of America, the Livestock Conservancy, the American nly plus S&H Poultry Association. O $24.99

Additional Information: www.javabreedersofamerica.com; To order visit: www.garfieldfarm.org; CountrysideNetwork.com/shop/backyard-field- www.livestockconservancy.org; www.amerpoultryassn.com guide-to-chickens-the Ann Stewart is a freelance writer and home- Or call: 970-392-4419 schooling mother of three kids. Her poultry adventures are based in northern Illinois.

Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 43 The Long Line of Brown Leghorns

By Don Schrider West Virginia

44 Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 hen we first get into poultry, discovering all these breeds is a Wgreat pleasure. For many of us, that joy turns into the effort of trying to pick the right breed for our homestead or to serve the purposes we have in mind. I still see a great deal of effort being put out to find the best breeds. Finding the right breed is a great idea — finding the one that produces as you hope and perfect for you to interact with and watch. But did you know that quality within a breed varies greatly? During the late 1800s and the first half of the 1900s, backyard poultry was the commercial industry. People would pour over poultry publications trying to find the right breed for their homestead or small farm. (Wait, this sounds much Dick Holmes, a master breeder, has been instrumental in keeping the bloodline of Brown like what we do today.) But there was a Leghorns alive and relatively unchanged. difference. Back during the backyard poultry “heyday,” people poured over the ads looking for not only the right breed but for the right bloodline within that breed. A bloodline of poultry represents a group of related birds all of one breed. During the late 1800s and the first half of It is a division within the breed. Birds of the bloodline will be similar in their the 1900s, backyard poultry was the production qualities — rate of lay, rate of growth, size, etc. Often times a particular commercial industry. People would pour bloodline may represent the best a breed over poultry publications trying to find the has to offer. But the fact that we humans acknowledge and value bloodlines also right breed for their homestead or small farm. means that we understand there is a relationship between people and poultry that (Wait, this sounds much like what we do today.) spans decades of time. This relationship is important and has meaning. Let me tell you the story of one such bloodline and some of the people connected to it.

The Beginning In 1853, the first Brown Leghorns arrived in the United States from Italy. As the first poultry show opens, Brown Leghorns are present and draw a good following of perspective breeders. Their active nature, great egg-laying ability, hardiness, and beauty being very appealing to many. At this time there is only one color of “Brown,” and the breed derived its name from one of the original breeders, a Mr. Brown of Connecticut. In 1868, Mr. C.A. Smith purchases his start of Brown Leghorns from Mr. Tate of Tate and Baldwin, an importing agency located in Chicopee, Massachusetts. It is unclear if Mr. Tate’s birds came from the early importation or if they had been imported in the years since 1853. Mr. Smith begins In the mid- to late-19th century, William Ellery Bright’s line won at shows around the breeding and soon becomes well known country, and was named “Grove Hill” after his farm. Photos courtesy of the American for the quality of his birds. Smith did not Brown Leghorn Club.

Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 45 young breeder by the name of Russell Stauffer of Ohio. Stauffer is said to have combined this line with two other famous In 1853, the first Brown Leghorns arrived lines. What is sure is that Stauffer goes on to become the most famous Light in the United States from Italy. As the first Brown Leghorn breeder of all time. poultry show opens, Brown Leghorns are Bright continues on with his Grove Hill line of Dark Brown Leghorns and sets a present and draw a good following of winning record hard to beat in any breed. During the late 1920s, Bright brings perspective breeders. Their active nature, his Grove Hill line to the big show in Chicago, Illinois, to compete in the Brown great egg-laying ability, hardiness, and Leghorn National Meet which is being beauty being very appealing to many. hosted by this show that year. While there he visits with Claude LaDuke — the senior breeder of Brown Leghorns in the area. Although the National Meet was very near, Mr. LaDuke had not entered have the money to travel far or wide — — Smith hesitates, but once offered the the contest as he could not afford the few traveled far in those days — but his position of head poultryman as a part entry fee or the hotel stay. There, in Mr. birds were next to impossible to beat of the deal, he agrees. This partnership LaDuke’s poultry yard, William Ellery at the great Boston Poultry Exposition of people has an impact on the birds as Bright sees a cockerel that he knows can each year. this bloodline quickly becomes next to beat the best he has brought with him. As the year 1876 begins, another man impossible to beat at the shows on in the So what does he do? He insists on paying begins his career in poultry. William El- nesting box (folks were showing their the entry fee and sharing his hotel room. lery Bright of Waltham, Massachusetts, production birds back then). Claude LaDuke wins that National Meet! comes from a family with some wealth. By 1880, William Ellery Bright’s line Claude LaDuke was an accomplished Bright becomes keenly interested in is winning at major shows in many cities. breeder, but he understood quickly that Brown Leghorns and purchases some Bright dubs his line “Grove Hill” after his while he had the winning male, the Grove stock from Mr. Worchester of Waltham, farm name. Breeders of this time period Hill line produced many more birds of Massachusetts. In 1878 he purchases a had begun breeding males darker and higher quality than did his own line. In Brown Leghorn cockerel from Frank L. darker so that the winning males were other words, he had one good male and Fish of Boston, Massachusetts, who tells black with a green sheen and cherry-red Grove Hill had a whole line of quality him of the quality Smith’s birds. Desir- lacing on their necks and saddles. The birds. Mr. LaDuke inquired on purchas- ing to have a great start in his poultry winning females had a soft, seal brown ing a trio and they were given to him. business, Bright seeks out Smith. Once color with yellow lacing on their neck he has seen the birds, William Ellery feathers. By the early to mid-1880s, the A Line Passes On Bright offers to purchase the entire flock winning males and the winning females In 1933, Irvin Holmes of Lansing, Michi- could not be produced from the same gan, decides to get rid of his start in mating — yellow-hackled males being White Leghorns after spending hours used to produce the winning females and bathing them only to find they were nearly partridge females being used to soiled upon arrival at his first show. He produce the winning males. This created meets Claude LaDuke and purchases a a lot of confusion for beginners — anyone trio of Dark Brown Leghorns from him. wanting to get started had to buy birds Mr. LaDuke acts as Irvin’s mentor. At bred to produce either males or females the same time, William Ellery Bright as crossing winning females and males sends several hundred hatching eggs to produce something with color not quite Larro Feed, a General Mills company, like either parent. By 1923, the American to use in a grow-out experiment. Feed Poultry Association recognized Light companies often would get quality birds, Brown Leghorns (the show female pro- feed them their mixes, and measure ducers) and Dark Brown Leghorns (the rate of growth, final body condition, and show male producers) as two distinct quality of feather and color as a test of varieties of Leghorn. This cleared up the feed quality – birds with rich colors were confusion, and now the nearly partridge then preferred as feed quality can effect females and yellow hackled males could feather color. be shown. It was during 1934 that William El- Sometime between 1900 and 1910, Crusader was a winning Dark Brown cock lery Bright decided it was time to let his bird in 1944. Photo courtesy of the Ameri- William Ellery Bright sells his Grove famous line of Dark Brown Leghorns can Brown Leghorn Club. Hill line of Light Brown Leghorns to a pass to other hands. Leroy Smith bought

46 Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 Dark Brown flock to his brother, James P. Rines, Jr., around 1970. More about Jim Rines in a moment.

‘The Line That Will Never Die’ In 1964, Irvin Holmes health starts to decline. His son, Dick Holmes, is in his early 30s and living in Texas. The two had crossed the line on bantams and produced a fine line of Dark Brown Leghorn bantams. Dick suggests that his dad let the large line go and keep working with him on the bantams. Irvin does. Irvin sells to a breeder on the West Coast, who promptly crosses the line and is unable to correct the faults that occur in the offspring and after that discards all his Dark Browns. But each year Irvin had let very nice males go and one customer had purchased many — Joe Stern of Pennsylvania was a force to reckoned Irvin and Richard Holmes’ poultry yards. Photos courtesy of the American Brown with. Through the late 1960s and up until Leghorn Club. the early 1980s he was very tough to beat in Dark Brown Leghorns. He dubbed his line, “The Line That Will Never Die.” James P. Rines, Jr., from the 1970s the entire Grove Hill line and imme- son grows, the two show the birds all through into the early 2000s was a nation- diately was a contender at all the big across the country. But Irvin’s favorite ally well-known breeder of Brown Leg- shows. But, William Ellery Bright had was the great Madison Square Garden horns — both Light and Dark Brown. In never mentioned that there were several show in New York each year. Here he 1974, C.C. Fisher, another New England hundred of his line in the hands of Larro competed with the top breeders of Dark breeder and customer of Leroy Smith, Feed. One has to wonder if Mr. Bright Brown Leghorns from all across the was in failing health. He contacts Jim had forgotten this group of birds, or if country. Each year the man to beat was Rines and offers him his Leroy Smith he secretly wished to surprise everyone Leroy Smith with his Grove Hill line. Grove Hill line birds. Jim purchases them by selling out and still coming up with Unlike many of the top breeders, Irvin and combines them with his brother’s a winning bird. Time played its own managed his chickens as a hobby. Each hand in events. William Ellery Bright year he kept between three and four trios passed away at the end of 1934. In the to breed from and each spring he would spring of 1935, Larro Feed contacted the hatch about 100 to 150 young birds. From American Brown Leghorn Club. They the 100 to 150 hatched, Irvin would cull had successfully completed their feed down to between three and five cocker- study and they understood they had 200 els. These he would show against the high-quality birds that they felt should best and each year in Madison Square not be destroyed; they had intended to Garden he would place two or more of offer back any or all of the birds to Mr. his cockerels in the top five. Bright. The club contacted the club offi- In 1960 David Rines, of Massachu- cer closest to the feed company — Claude setts, gets his start in Dark Brown Leg- LaDuke. Mr. LaDuke, realizing here was horns from Leroy Smith. Smith passes an opportunity of a lifetime, brought his and his birds are widely dispersed. The young protege, Irvin Holmes, along and Rines family is well-known for Brown Leg- they each picked out two trios. horns. David’s father, James P. Rines, Sr., Irvin Holmes quickly realizes that the has been raising Light Brown Leghorns quality of these Dark Brown Leghorns for some forty years by this time. David is superior to his own and discards his does very well with his Dark Brown Leg- LaDuke line birds. He also lands a job horns, and with some very good Barred in the Nation’s Capital and so moves to Plymouth Rock bantams. When he asks Takoma Park, Maryland. Irvin’s son, his dad why he can’t place higher with Richard “Dick” Holmes, is four years either, his dad tells him it is because he old when his father gets his start of the needs to put all of his time and thought Irvin Holmes holding one of his winning Grove Hill line from Larro Feed. As his into one or the other. David sells his Dark Brown Leghorn cockerels.

Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 47 Leroy Smith line birds. Jim breeds his 1988 and 1989 Wells uses the sons back by Irvin Holmes — including some of the Dark Brown Leghorns up until the late to just the two old Stern hens and revives best males Irvin ever had! 1990s. He lets his flock go to Mark At- the line. Little do he or Dick realize at this In 2007 I cross the pure Lafon birds wood of Thomasville, North Carolina, in point that it is Irvin Holmes’ line of Dark with the pure Rines birds. The Lafon 1997. Mark breeds and shows the line Brown Leghorns, as bred by Joe Stern birds trace back through Wells Lafon even today. for many years, that they were “saving.” from Joe Stern from Irvin Holmes from Irvin and Dick Holmes continue In 1992 Raymond Taylor of Virginia Larro Feed from William Ellery Bright breeding the miniature (bantam) Dark purchases Dark Brown Leghorns from and his great Grove Hill Line. The Rines Brown Leghorns and after Irvin’s pass- Jim Rines. Raymond shows and does birds trace back from Raymond Taylor ing, Dick Holmes becomes known as a very well. He already had a few years in from Jim Rines, Jr., from C.C. Fisher and master breeder of these. Around 1986, with the line of Light Brown Leghorns David Rines from Leroy Smith and Wil- after he moved back to Maryland, he that he developed. In 1994 Wells Lafon liam Ellery Bright and his great Grove mentors a young poultryman named sends his flock to me for safe keeping for Hill Line. So two segments of the Grove Wells Lafon of Baltimore, Maryland. a few years. I am another Dick Holmes Hill line, separated since 1933, have now Wells wanting standard sized Dark protege, and have been breeding Light been bred back together as of 2007. That Brown Leghorns, and secures breeding Brown Leghorns since 1989. In 1998 is 74 years! birds from two sources. In 1987, Dick Raymond finds out that because of his What interests me most is how Holmes is chatting with a Pennsylvania father’s passing his home must be sold the line has been passed from hand farmer and finds out this fellow has a trio and he contacts me to offer some birds. to hand over the years. All of the men of Joe Stern birds. Dick purchases the trio In 2006 Dick Holmes gives me mentioned in this article have been and he and Wells try to resurrect the line. his poultry collection — including his considered master breeders by their The male and females were all old and father’s notebooks. Irvin Holmes kept peers and yet all are working with the so fertility was low. In frustration, Wells detailed records. Every bird hatched same overall bloodline. The quality has turns the trio in with his pen of Lockey had a pedigree. Every time a bird was continued as each generation taught line pullets. In the heat of summer the sold, the date and the customer’s name the next how to properly mate the pullets set on eggs and five cockerels and were recorded. From these records, Dick birds. Quality certainly comes from the some pullets from the old male hatch. Holmes and I discovered that the Stern genes, but it is maintaining that qual- The male passes away that year. So in line was heavily comprised of birds sold ity — preventing genetic drift — that is something we humans play a role in. It is the connection of the skill of one breeder to the line he or she worked with that has often set the high mark for a breed. Back in the early 1900s, the best Dark Brown line was the Grove Hill Line. As I look in my pens, it is really something to realize I can trace my line back to 1868 and straight through the hands of the greatest master breeders of Dark Brown Leghorns of all time. I also greatly appreciate the generosity of those people who have helped me along the way — my mentor most of all. But if it were not for the human relationships I have to wonder, would these lines exists at all?

A Legend Departs In September of 2013, Mr. Richard “Dick” Holmes passed away. He was 81. His line of Dark Brown Leghorn bantams is still alive and well. Jim Rines, Jr., once said that there is not a Dark Brown Leghorn bantam in the country that does not have Holmes breeding in its background.

Text copyright Don Schrider, 2013. All rights reserved. Don Schrider is a nation- ally recognized poultry breeder and expert. Don Schrider, the author of this story, breeds Dark Brown Leghorns, shown here. Photo He is the author of a revised edition of by Don Schrider. Storey’s Guide to Raising Turkeys.

48 Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 Starts Enter the May 1! Coolest Coops Photo Contest

Do you have a creative way to house your poultry? Share your pictures with us and crafting details of your creative coops — from one-of-a-kind waterers to hand-crafted roosts to completely recycled creations.

www.CountrysideNetwork.com/coolest-coops

PRIZES Grand prize winner will be chosen by the editorial team and will receive a EcoGlow 20-Chick Brooder from Brinsea and possible placement on the Backyard Poultry cover! Voter’s choice winners will receive a Backyard Poultry T-Shirt and magazine subscription for one year!

Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 49 and Natural Resources and spoke to Matthew T. Rittenhouse in the Oahu office. The Fighting “So, are these protected ferals or ‘free-flying domestic chickens’?” I asked, referencing an item on the department’s Story Behind Hawaii’s website. Rittenhouse got straight to the point. “Cockfighting releases,” he said. Feral Chickens Oh. Wow. Actually, by the time I talked to the government, I’d already seen some clues By Lori Fontanes pointing in this direction. First, the city code on animals (called Animals & Fowl, by the way) where the top item is Cock- uffalo may have wings and San serie kind. Having visited Oahu often fighting and Related Equipment, 7-1.1: Diego has its baseball-loving bird, and never encountering so many random “Prohibited.” Bbut don’t forget Honolulu when it roosters, I started asking folks: “What’s But, this being Hawaii, the tale soon comes to city chickens. Although sister with all the chickens, dude?” They each got more interesting. island Kauai recently made national had a theory. Apparently, the wandering chicken headlines for a study connecting its feral One taxi driver seemed convinced phenomenon has slowly been building chickens with Red Junglefowl, ances- they were backyard escapees, while since at least the early 2000s. By 2005, tor of modern gallus gallus, Oahu also another expounded on the history of the Honolulu Advertiser reported some features a growing number of displaced chickens in Hawaii from ancient Poly- volunteer trappers had “spent $40,000 out poultry. nesian days. A waitress suggested they of their own pockets” to capture “more On a recent trip to the Hawaiian might be leftover Easter pets. Looking than 700 feral chickens and roosters” capital, I saw a lot of Moa around town for a more official version, I called the around the island. and we’re not (just) talking the rotis- State of Hawaii’s Department of Land By 2007, according to the Honolulu

50 Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 Star-Bulletin, the volunteers had won a city contract to continue the popular wrangling service. This quickly drew the Apparently, the wandering chicken ire of the local Humane Society because some of the wranglers had a connection phenomenon has slowly been building with — you guessed it — cockfighting. Crowing cocks and clucking hens, since at least the early 2000s. By 2005, however, continued to plague both rural the Honolulu Advertiser reported some areas and city dwellers. This despite the efforts of introduced mammals such as volunteer trappers had “spent $40,000 mongoose and feral cats and because there are virtually no native species that out of their own pockets” to capture can tackle errant cacklers. The chickens kept proliferating so, although the city “more than 700 feral chickens and eventually did not renew the controver- roosters” around the island. sial contract, it signed up another organi- zation in 2012. But not for long. The following year, the administration dropped the now $80,000 chicken-corralling line item for “cost-cutting” reasons. Not surprisingly, the past two years have seen even more about chicken cacophony in both news stories and neighborhood board meetings alike. Whether on the lam, released or feral, to sleepless Hawaiians, it probably doesn’t matter. Who ya gonna call when you gotta say “Aloha” to that moa? On its website, the Humane Society lists a number for “feral chickens (crowing and trapping)” as 911. And I’m pretty sure someone must have called because I also found this “mugshot” from the Honolulu Police Department. Henny, is that you?! Aloha!

Lori Fontanes blogs about her micro- farming odyssey at whattheducks.com.

Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 51 Coop Inspiration Do you have a fun story behind your chicken coop, or just some really cool design ideas? We’d love to share them with our readers. Email us at [email protected] with a few pictures and a story about your coop!

Rustic Coop

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Zach and Alexis Meschi, along with their three young girls, her. But, the desire outweighed the fear and they started their have begun their dream of best utilizing the countryside they endeavor with a small two-bird coop. After a year, and much live in. They live in Aptos, California, in stunning Santa Cruz work to overcome her fears, they both fell in love with their County. Their house borders the epic redwood trees, classic chickens and decided to build a permanent chicken coop. of the area, and their property has a peaceful creek. Because Zach, a general contractor, designed this chicken coop of the land’s magnificence, they wanted to invest in additional to compliment the surrounding. He wanted to use as many ways to spend time outdoors, connecting to the land and finding recycled materials as available and construct them in artistic ways to be more sustainable. ways. He also wanted the coop to be secure from predators and They both thought keeping chickens would be an enjoyable, as self-sufficient as possible. The main structure is separated by and intentional activity to get them all outdoors more. The only a wall and has a storage side to the left and the chicken roost problem was, Alexis is afraid of birds. Growing up, her family to the right. The outside coop has wire cemented 12 inches had chickens and one mean Bantam rooster, Chester, scarred into the ground to keep predators out.

52 Backyard Poutlry e-edition Spring 2017 He ran a water line to the coop where there is a pressure-regulated watering system. The feeders use the PVC pipe system. The nesting boxes are accessible from the exterior for ease of egg gathering. The chicken roosts are made from fallen redwood branches. The chevron patterned front doors are from old, collected fence boards. The corrugated galvanized steel siding dates back to the 1970s and is composed of various colors that accentuates their vintage age. The interior of the chicken roost is made from cedar siding leftover from a construction job.

The Meschi family is enjoying the ways their chicken coop has brought their family outdoors more. They feel deeply connected to their surroundings and have more plans to create spaces outside on their property to further enjoy the countryside they live in.

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