Ixworth chicken

Ixworth
Conservation status RBST: at risk[1]
Country of origin United Kingdom
Use dual-purpose
Traits
Weight Male: Standard: 3.6–4.1 kg
Bantam: 1020 g[2]
  Female: Standard: 2.7–3.2 kg
Bantam: 790 g[2]
Skin color white
Egg color tinted[2]
Comb type pea comb
Classification
PCGB rare soft feather: heavy[3]
Chicken
Gallus gallus domesticus

The Ixworth is an English breed of white domestic chicken. It is named for the village of Ixworth in Suffolk, where it was created in 1932.[4] It was bred as fast-growing high-quality meat breed with reasonable laying abilities.[5]

History

The Ixworth was created in 1932 by Reginald Appleyard, who also created the Silver Appleyard Duck, at his poultry farm in the village of Ixworth in Suffolk.[4] It was bred from white Sussex, white Minorca, white Orpington, Jubilee, Indian Game and white Indian Game chickens,[2] with the intention of creating a dual purpose breed, a fast-growing high-quality meat bird with reasonable egg-laying ability.[5] An Ixworth bantam was created in 1938; Appleyard thought it better than the standard-sized bird.[2]

In the 1970s the Ixworth almost disappeared; it has since gradually recovered. It is a rare breed: in 2008 it was listed as "Category 2: endangered" by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust,[6] and in 2014 was on the Trust's list of native poultry breeds at risk.[1]

Characteristics

The plumage of the Ixworth is pure white. The comb is of pea type; it and the face, earlobes and wattles are brilliant red. The eyes are bright orange or red. The beak, shanks, feet, skin and flesh are all white.[2]

In a comparative study conducted at the Roslin Institute, Ixworth hens were found to reach a live weight of 4.03 kg at 55 weeks, and to lay on average 0.74 eggs per day, with an average egg weight of 63.6 g.[6]

The meat commands premium prices.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 Native Poultry Breeds at Risk. Rare Breeds Survival Trust. Archived 1 July 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Victoria Roberts (2008). British poultry standards: complete specifications and judging points of all standardized breeds and varieties of poultry as compiled by the specialist breed clubs and recognised by the Poultry Club of Great Britain. Oxford: Blackwell. ISBN 9781405156424. p. 140–42.
  3. Breed Classification. Poultry Club of Great Britain. Accessed August 2014.
  4. 1 2 Chickens. Poultry Club of Great Britain. Accessed August 2014.
  5. 1 2 Chris Graham (2006). Choosing and Keeping Chickens. London: Hamlyn. ISBN 9780600614388. p. 153.
  6. 1 2 3 Poultry: Ixworth: 2008 Watchlist; Category 2, Endangered. Rare Breeds Survival Trust. Archived 24 June 2008.


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