Ixworth chicken
| Conservation status | RBST: at risk[1] |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Use | dual-purpose |
| Traits | |
| Weight | |
| Skin color | white |
| Egg color | tinted[2] |
| Comb type | pea comb |
| Classification | |
| PCGB | rare soft feather: heavy[3] |
| |
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 2 Native Poultry Breeds at Risk. Rare Breeds Survival Trust. Archived 1 July 2014.
- 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.
- ↑ Breed Classification. Poultry Club of Great Britain. Accessed August 2014.
- 1 2 Chickens. Poultry Club of Great Britain. Accessed August 2014.
- 1 2 Chris Graham (2006). Choosing and Keeping Chickens. London: Hamlyn. ISBN 9780600614388. p. 153.
- 1 2 3 Poultry: Ixworth: 2008 Watchlist; Category 2, Endangered. Rare Breeds Survival Trust. Archived 24 June 2008.