Commercial poultry operations have no place for rare breed chickens. Even the specialized heritage breeds are not viable as large-scale producers. Commercial enterprises specialize in either egg or meat production. Most rare breeds are utility birds which are useful layers but also produce a reasonable carcass for the table. These are ideal for family poultry runs. Most are hardy and do well under free range conditions.
One such breed is the Scots Dumpy. This is well-named. Their very short legs make them waddle as they walk. They are also known as Crawlers, Creepies and Bakies. They have been bred in Scotland for at least one hundred years. The Scots Dumpy is large with a very heavy but long body. The breast is deep. The wings are carried neatly tucked. They have a long, flowing tail. The comb is erect and serrated. They have large, bright eyes and a curved beak. The earlobes are small.
The hens go broody regularly and are very attentive mothers. They are quiet, placid chickens which are happy to range widely although uneven terrain can make this difficult for them. They need low watering points and feeders because of their short legs. Although they cope well with the cold, they tend to catch chills easily if too much time is spend on wet grass.
Adult cocks can weigh up to seven pounds. When dressed for the table the carcass is fleshy. The Scots Dumpy is available in various colors. The black variety has dark-colored legs but most have white legs, feet and beaks. The face, earlobes, wattles and combs of all varieties are red.
The Hamburg is also quite rare and was developed in Holland and Germany before 1700. It is a small breed with over ten different colorations. There is also a bantam version. In England, they are often called 'Everlayers' because of their prolific egg production. Hamburgs are small with cocks weighing about five pounds. They have a rose comb. They are quite agitated around humans and don't become friendly. They are hardy and active. They also fly well and need a reasonable amount of ground for foraging.
It is a quick-maturing breed and lays plenty of white eggs. However the eggs are quite small. There are spangled and penciled varieties in both golden and silver tones. These very attractive types are popular as exhibition birds. Their dark-coloured bones mean that most people do not like them as table birds.
The Ixworth is a wonderful dual purpose breed which is now quite rare. The breed was developed by Reginald Appleyard in his village (Ixworth) in Suffolk, England in 1932. It has four main breeds in its ancestry. These are the Sussex, Indian Game, Orpington and Minorca. These are all high-producing birds and the Ixworth has inherited excellent egg-laying traits and a good meaty carcass with plenty of breast meat.
One such breed is the Scots Dumpy. This is well-named. Their very short legs make them waddle as they walk. They are also known as Crawlers, Creepies and Bakies. They have been bred in Scotland for at least one hundred years. The Scots Dumpy is large with a very heavy but long body. The breast is deep. The wings are carried neatly tucked. They have a long, flowing tail. The comb is erect and serrated. They have large, bright eyes and a curved beak. The earlobes are small.
The hens go broody regularly and are very attentive mothers. They are quiet, placid chickens which are happy to range widely although uneven terrain can make this difficult for them. They need low watering points and feeders because of their short legs. Although they cope well with the cold, they tend to catch chills easily if too much time is spend on wet grass.
Adult cocks can weigh up to seven pounds. When dressed for the table the carcass is fleshy. The Scots Dumpy is available in various colors. The black variety has dark-colored legs but most have white legs, feet and beaks. The face, earlobes, wattles and combs of all varieties are red.
The Hamburg is also quite rare and was developed in Holland and Germany before 1700. It is a small breed with over ten different colorations. There is also a bantam version. In England, they are often called 'Everlayers' because of their prolific egg production. Hamburgs are small with cocks weighing about five pounds. They have a rose comb. They are quite agitated around humans and don't become friendly. They are hardy and active. They also fly well and need a reasonable amount of ground for foraging.
It is a quick-maturing breed and lays plenty of white eggs. However the eggs are quite small. There are spangled and penciled varieties in both golden and silver tones. These very attractive types are popular as exhibition birds. Their dark-coloured bones mean that most people do not like them as table birds.
The Ixworth is a wonderful dual purpose breed which is now quite rare. The breed was developed by Reginald Appleyard in his village (Ixworth) in Suffolk, England in 1932. It has four main breeds in its ancestry. These are the Sussex, Indian Game, Orpington and Minorca. These are all high-producing birds and the Ixworth has inherited excellent egg-laying traits and a good meaty carcass with plenty of breast meat.
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