Java chicken: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 23:08, 8 June 2008

Revision as of 23:10, 8 June 2008

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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>

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 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 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=92}}</ref><ref>{{harv|Dougherty|2007}}</ref>

==History==