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{{Short description|Breed of chicken}}

[[Image:BlackJava female, 1905.png|thumb|250px|An illustration of the ideal Black Java hen in the 1905 [[Standard of Perfection]]]]

{{other uses|Java (disambiguation)}}

The '''Java''' is a [[breed]] of [[chicken]] originating in the [[United States]]. Despite the breed's name, which comes from the island of [[Java]] in [[Indonesia]], it was developed in the U.S. from chickens of unknown Asian extraction. It is one of the oldest American chickens, forming the basis for many other breeds, but is critically endangered today. Javas are large birds with a sturdy appearance. They are hardy, and are well-suited for both meat and egg production, especially by small-scale farms, [[homestead]]s, and backyard keepers.

{{infobox poultry breed

| name = Java

| image = Black Java male, 1905.png

| image_size =

| alt =

| image_caption =

| status = critical

| altname =

| country = United States

| distribution =

| standard = [http://www.javabreedersofamerica.com/javas/48-2/174-2/ APA]

| use =

| nickname =

| apa = American{{r|apa}}

| aba =

| ee =

| pcgb =

| maleweight = {{convert|9.5|lb|abbr=on|1|disp=flip}}

| femaleweight = {{convert|6.5|–|7.5|lb|abbr=on|1|disp=flip}}

| skincolor =

| eggcolor = brown

| comb = single

| note =

| type = [[Chicken]]

| latin = Gallus gallus domesticus

}}

[[File:Black Java male, 1905.png|thumb|An illustration of the ideal Black Java rooster in the American Standard of Perfection cir. 1905|alt=Black Java rooster]]

The '''Java''' is a [[breed]] of [[chicken]] originating in the [[United States]]. Despite the breed's name, whicha comesreference fromto the island of [[Java]] in [[Indonesia]], it was developed in the U.S. from chickens of unknown Asian extraction. It is one of the oldest American chickens, forming the basis for many other breeds, but is critically endangered today. Javas are large birds with a sturdy appearance. They are hardy, and are well-suited for both meat and egg production, especially by small-scale farms, [[Homestead (buildings)|homestead]]s, and backyard keepers.

==CharacteristicsHistory==

After the [[Dominique (chicken)|Dominique]], the Java is the oldest breed of chicken created in the U.S.<ref>{{harv| name="Ekarius| 2007|p= 92}}<"/ref> Though its name would suggest a Javan derivation, it is not known exactly where in Asia its ancestors came from.<ref name="Heinrichs 2007 40">{{harvharvnb|Heinrichs|2007|p=40}}</ref> It was first mentioned in print in 1835, but it is thought to have been present well before this time.<ref>{{harv| name="Ekarius| 2007|p= 92}}<"/ref> Javas were especially notable as meat production birds throughout the 1800's19th century,<ref> name="albc-usa.org">{{harvnb|albc}}</ref>, with their popularity peaking in the latter half of that century.<ref name="Ott 2002">{{harvharvnb|Ott|2002}}</ref>

Javas are heavy chickens, with roosters weighing around 9.5 pounds (4.3 kilos) and hens 6.5 to 7.5 pounds (2.9 to 3.4 kilos). They have a very long, broad back and a deep breast, which makes for a solid, rectangular build. They have small earlobes and medium size [[Comb (anatomy)|combs]] and [[wattles]], all of which are red in color. Javas have singe combs, but they have a shape which suggests the influence of a pea-combed breed in their development.<ref>{{harv|Ekarius|2007|p=93}}</ref>

The Java is a key foundation breed for the American class of chickens,<ref>{{harv| name="Heinrichs| 2007|p= 40}}<"/ref> having contributed significantly to major modern fowl such as the [[Jersey Giant]], [[Rhode Island Red]] and [[Plymouth Rock (chicken)|Plymouth Rock]].<ref>{{harv| name="Ekarius| 2007|p= 92}}<"/ref> They are also likely to be the source of the yellow skin in contemporary Dominiques, which once had white skin.<ref>{{harv| name="Heinrichs| 2007|p= 40}}<"/ref>

Javas appear in three color variations today: Black, Mottled, and White. The Black has black shanks and beaks, though some yellow may appear in the legs. The plumage is a uniform black hue that has a dark green sheen in the light. The Mottled and White have mostly yellow skin, with horn colored beaks. The plumage of the Mottled is a black base with white markings on the tips of feathers, which imparts a spotted appearance.<ref>{{harv|Ekarius|2007|p=93}}</ref>

The Java was first recognized officially by acceptance in the [[American Poultry Association]]'s [[Standard of Perfection]] in 1883.<ref>{{harv| name="Ekarius| 2007|p= 92}}<"/ref> The White, Black, and Mottled varieties were all originally described in the Standard, but the White was removed in 1910 because it was thought to be too similar to the White Plymouth Rock.<ref>{{harv| name="Heinrichs| 2007|p= 40}}<"/ref> It eventually disappeared in the 1950's1950s.<ref>{{harv| name="Ott| 2002}}<"/ref> There was also an [[Auburn (chicken)|Auburn]] type which was the basis for the Rhode Island Red, but it died out by 1870.<ref>{{harvharvnb|Heinrichs|2007|p=41}}</ref>

Javas are valued for their dual-purpose characteristics. Though they are slow-growing compared to the [[broiler]]s used by the commercial chicken industry today, they make a decent meat bird. Hens lay a respectable amount of large, brown eggs and will go broody. Javas are particularly known as good foragers, needing less supplementary feed than many breeds when allowed to [[free range]].<ref>{{harv|Dougherty|2007}}</ref> Like many large breeds, they are also known to be docile birds. In general, Javas are particularly suitable for keepers of smaller flocks who require a good dual-purpose chicken.<ref>{{harv|Ekarius|2007|p=92}}</ref><ref>{{harv|Dougherty|2007}}</ref>

Javas had nearly become extinctvanished by the end of the 20th century, having been pushed to fringes of the poultry world by the intense focus on one or two breeds by commercial growers, and the introduction of innumerable new and exotic breeds into [[Animal fancy|poultry fancy]]. TheBeginning [[American Livestock Breeds Conservancy]] listsin the breed as Critical on its watchlist1990s, meaningbreeders fewerand thanconservation 500organizations breeding birds from five or fewer primary breeding flocks are known (this does not take inbegan to account the population of non-breeding flocks).<ref>albc-usa.org</ref> The breed is also listed as part of [[Slow Food USA]]'s Ark of Taste,make a catalogmore ofconcerted heritage foods in danger of extinction.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.slowfoodusa.org/ark/java_chicken.html |work=Java Chicken |title=slowfoodusa.org |publisher=[[Slow Food USA]] |accessdate=2008-06-08}}</ref>The Java survives today dueeffort to the efforts ofsave the Conservancy and a few dedicated breedersJava. In particular, the [[Garfield Farm and Inn Museum|Garfield Farm Museum]] in [[Illinois]] has played a pivotal role in the preservation of Javas in the 21st century.<ref>{{harvharvnb|Heinrichs|2007|pp=41-4241–42}}</ref> Beginning with pureMottled and Black Javas, [[Mutation|sports]] from the Garfield flock have revived the White variety of Javas.<ref>{{harvharvnb|Ekarius|2007|pp=92-9392–93}}</ref> The Garfield Farm haswas also been supported by the [[Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago)|Museum of Science and Industry]] in [[Chicago]], which hatchedhatches Java chicks as part of their exhibit on [[genetics]].<ref>{{harv| name="Ott| 2002}}<"/ref>

==History==

After the [[Dominique (chicken)|Dominique]], the Java is the oldest breed of chicken created in the U.S.<ref>{{harv|Ekarius|2007|p=92}}</ref> Though its name would suggest a Javan derivation, it is not known exactly where in Asia its ancestors came from.<ref>{{harv|Heinrichs|2007|p=40}}</ref> It was first mentioned in print in 1835, but it is thought to have been present well before this time.<ref>{{harv|Ekarius|2007|p=92}}</ref> Javas were especially notable as meat production birds throughout the 1800's<ref>albc-usa.org</ref>, with their popularity peaking in the latter half of that century.<ref>{{harv|Ott|2002}}</ref>

The [[American Livestock Breeds Conservancy]] continues to list Javas as Critical on its watchlist, meaning fewer than 500 breeding birds from five or fewer primary breeding flocks are known (this does not take into account the population of non-breeding flocks).<ref name="albc-usa.org"/> The breed is also listed as part of [[Slow Food USA]]'s [[Ark of Taste]], a catalog of heritage foods in danger of extinction.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slowfoodusa.org/ark/java_chicken.html |work=Java Chicken |title=slowfoodusa.org |publisher=[[Slow Food USA]] |access-date=2008-06-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080416001804/http://www.slowfoodusa.org/ark/java_chicken.html |archive-date=2008-04-16 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Rosecomb bantam breed in the United States is called a Java in the Netherlands, the two breeds are very different.<ref>{{Cite web |title=nederlandsejavaclub.nl – Nederlandse Javaclub |url=https://www.nederlandsejavaclub.nl/ |access-date=2023-07-02 |language=nl-NL}}</ref>

The Java is a key foundation breed for the American class of chickens,<ref>{{harv|Heinrichs|2007|p=40}}</ref> having contributed significantly to major modern fowl such as the [[Jersey Giant]], [[Rhode Island Red]] and [[Plymouth Rock (chicken)|Plymouth Rock]].<ref>{{harv|Ekarius|2007|p=92}}</ref> They are also likely to be the source of the yellow skin in contemporary Dominiques, which once had white skin.<ref>{{harv|Heinrichs|2007|p=40}}</ref>

[[ImageFile:BlackJava female, 1905.png|thumb|250px|An illustrationIllustration of the ideal Black Java henfemale in the 1905 [[Standard of Perfection]]]]

==Characteristics==

Javas are heavy chickens, with roosters weighing around {{convert|9.5 pounds (4.3 kilos)|lb|abbr=off|1|disp=flip}} and hens {{convert|6.5 to |–|7.5 pounds (2.9 to 3.4 kilos)|lb|abbr=on|1|disp=flip}}. They have a very long, broad back and a deep breast, which makes for a solid, rectangular build. They have small earlobes and medium size [[Comb (anatomy)|combs]] and [[Wattle (anatomy)|wattles]], all of which are red in color. Javas have singesingle combs, but they have a shape which suggests the influence of a pea-combed breed in their development.<ref name="Ekarius 2007 93">{{harvharvnb|Ekarius|2007|p=93}}</ref>

Javas appear in three color variations today: Black, Mottled, and White. The Black has black shanks and beaks, though some yellow may appear in the legs. The plumage is a uniform black hue that has a dark green sheen in the light. The Mottled and White have mostly yellow skin, with horn colored beaks. The plumage of the Mottled is a black base with white markings on the tips of feathers, which imparts a spotted appearance.<ref>{{harv| name="Ekarius| 2007|p= 93}}<"/ref>

The Java was first recognized officially by acceptance in the [[American Poultry Association]]'s [[Standard of Perfection]] in 1883.<ref>{{harv|Ekarius|2007|p=92}}</ref>The White, Black, and Mottled varieties were all originally described in the Standard, but the White was removed in 1910 because it was thought to be too similar to the White Plymouth Rock.<ref>{{harv|Heinrichs|2007|p=40}}</ref> It eventually disappeared in the 1950's.<ref>{{harv|Ott|2002}}</ref> There was also an [[Auburn]] type which was the basis for the Rhode Island Red, but it died out by 1870.<ref>{{harv|Heinrichs|2007|p=41}}</ref>

==Use==

Javas had nearly become extinct by the end of the 20th century, having been pushed to fringes of the poultry world by the intense focus on one or two breeds by commercial growers, and the introduction of innumerable new and exotic breeds in [[Animal fancy|poultry fancy]]. The [[American Livestock Breeds Conservancy]] lists the breed as Critical on its watchlist, meaning fewer than 500 breeding birds from five or fewer primary breeding flocks are known (this does not take in to account the population of non-breeding flocks).<ref>albc-usa.org</ref> The breed is also listed as part of [[Slow Food USA]]'s Ark of Taste, a catalog of heritage foods in danger of extinction.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.slowfoodusa.org/ark/java_chicken.html |work=Java Chicken |title=slowfoodusa.org |publisher=[[Slow Food USA]] |accessdate=2008-06-08}}</ref>The Java survives today due to the efforts of the Conservancy and a few dedicated breeders. In particular, the [[Garfield Farm and Inn Museum|Garfield Farm Museum]] in [[Illinois]] has played a pivotal role in the preservation of Javas in the 21st century.<ref>{{harv|Heinrichs|2007|pp=41-42}}</ref> Beginning with pure Black Javas, [[Mutation|sports]] from the Garfield flock have revived the White variety of Javas.<ref>{{harv|Ekarius|2007|pp=92-93}}</ref> The Garfield Farm has also been supported by the [[Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago)|Museum of Science and Industry]] in [[Chicago]], which hatched Java chicks as part of their exhibit on [[genetics]].<ref>{{harv|Ott|2002}}</ref>

Javas are valued for their dual-purpose characteristics. Though they are slow-growing compared to the [[broiler]]s used by the commercial chicken industry today, they makeproduce a decent meatgood birdcarcass. Hens lay a respectable amountnumber of large, brown eggs and will go broody. Javas are particularly known as good foragers, needing less supplementary feed than many breeds when allowed to [[free range]].<ref name="Dougherty 2007">{{harvharvnb|Dougherty|2007}}</ref> Like many large breeds, they are also known to be docile birdsin temperament, and hardy in inclement weather. In general, Javas are particularly suitable for keepers of smaller flocks who require a good dual-purpose chicken.<ref>{{harv|Ekarius|2007|p name=92}}<"Dougherty 2007"/ref><ref name="Ekarius 2007 92">{{harvharvnb|DoughertyEkarius|2007|p=92}}</ref>

==Footnotes==

{{reflist|2}}45em|refs=

<ref name=apa>[https://web.archive.org/web/20171104135004/http://www.amerpoultryassn.com/PDF%20Forms/APA%20Recognized%20Breeds%20and%20Varieties%20Sept2012.pdf APA Recognized Breeds and Varieties: As of January 1, 2012]. American Poultry Association. Archived 4 November 2017.</ref>

}}

==See also==

* [[List of chicken breeds]]

==References==

* {{cite news |url=http://www.backyardpoultrymag.com/issues/2/2-4/Michael_Dougherty.html |title=The Java Experience: Raising a Critically Endangered Breed |work=Backyard Poultry Magazine |date=August-SeptemberAugust–September 2007 |accessdateaccess-date=2008-06-08 |last=Dougherty |first=Mike }}

* {{cite book |title=Storey's Illustrated Guide to Poultry Breeds |last=Ekarius |first=Carol |year=2007 |publisher=[[Storey Publishing]] |___location=210 MAS MoCA Way, North Adams, MA 01247 |isbn=978-1-58017-667-5 }}

* {{cite book |title=How To Raise Chickens |url=https://archive.org/details/howtoraisechicke00hein |url-access=registration |last=Heinrichs |first=Christine |year=2007 |publisher=Voyageur Press |isbn=9780793806010978-0-7938-0601-0 }}

* {{cite web |url=http://www.albc-usa.org/cpl/java.html |title=Java Chicken |work=albc-usa.org |publisher=[[American Livestock Breeds Conservancy]] |accessdateaccess-date=2008-06-06 |ref=CITEREFalbc |archive-date=2008-12-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201053027/http://www.albc-usa.org/cpl/java.html |url-status=dead }}

* {{cite news |url=http://www.motherearthnews.com/Sustainable-Farming/2002-02-01/Java-Chickens-Back-From-the-Brink.aspx |title=Java Chickens back from the brink |last=Ott |first=Janet |work=[[Mother Earth News]] |date=February-MarchFebruary–March 2002 |accessdateaccess-date=2008-06-07 }}

==External links==

* [http://www.mypetchicken.com/Java-B56.aspx Javas at mypetchicken.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090808171935/http://www.mypetchicken.com/Java-B56.aspx |date=2009-08-08 }}

* [http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGD/Java/BRKJava.html Javas at feathersite]

* [http://www.javabreedersofamerica.com Javas at Java Breeders of America]

{{Chicken breeds of the United States |state=expanded}}

[[Category:ALBC Conservation Priority Breeds of the Livestock Conservancy]]

[[Category:AnimalChicken breeds originating in the United States]]

[[Category:Chicken breeds]]

[[Category:Animal breeds originating in the United States]]

[[Category:ALBC Conservation Priority Breeds]]