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CHICKENS

Lily Creek Heritage Farms specializes in naturally raised, pasture meat and egg producing chickens.  Any feed that is supplementary to their diet is wholesome and organic. Among the poultry breeds, we provide a home to, are rare or endangered species.  We invite you to learn more about our chickens and if are ready to expand your flock, please think about raising a few, of the not so well known, among them. 

American Black Java

March 2021

Our signature breed, the Black Java (Camille, our 11 year old Rooster is pictured. His image is proudly displayed as our logo) is on the Live Stock Conservancy Endangered Species list they say this of the Java:  The Java is considered the second oldest breed of chicken developed in America. Its ancestors were reputed to have come from the Far East, possibly from the isle of Java. Sources differ on the time of origin of the Java, but the breed was known to be in existence in America sometime between 1835 and 1850. They did not reach Britain until 1885, and this is important as those that claim they originated in pure form directly from the island of Java cite England as their source of stock (from Java by way of England). It is possible 1835 may even be late in the development of this breed.

The Java is a premiere homesteading fowl, having the ability to do well when given free range. While slower in rate of growth compared to some more modern breeds, the Java was noted for the production of meat during the mid-1800s. The Plymouth Rock and Jersey Giant breeds owe much to the Java, as the Java was used in the creation of both of these breeds which later supplanted it.

Javas come in four varieties: Black, Mottled, White, and Auburn. The Black Java is noted for the beetle-green sheen of its feathers, a green sheen more brilliant than any other black fowl except the Langshan (speaking in terms of English and American experiences). The Blacks further have very dark eye color, being dark brown or even nearly black. Black Javas have black legs with yellow soles on their feet. Mottled Javas should have very intense red eye color, and their feathering is black with splashes, or mottles, of white. The legs of the Mottled Java should be a broken leaden-blue with yellow soles. The White Java was admitted to the American Poultry Association Standard of Perfection, but was removed prior to 1910 as it was felt that it and the White Plymouth Rock were too similar. White Javas have yellow leg color. The Auburn Java has never been recognized by the APA, but is mentioned as a color sport of the Black Java in writings as early as 1879, and it is most noted for its use in the development of the Rhode Island Red chicken breed. All Javas have yellow skin and lay brown eggs. Although the APA only recognizes the Black and the Mottled Java colors in its Standard of Perfection the White and the Auburn are being actively bred by a core of dedicated producers interested in bringing these colors back to the breed.

The body type is one of the most distinguishing features of Javas. They have a rectangular shape, much like the Rhode Island Red, but with a sloping back line. The back should be long; in fact Javas have the longest backs in the American Class. Javas have full, well-rounded breasts. Originally this breed, like the Buckeye and the Rhode Island, had tight feathers. Another distinguishing feature is that the single comb on all Javas should not show a point too far forward on the comb (the first point should be above the eye, not above the nostril). While this last characteristic is of no economic value, it may be of value in terms of identifying purity of the stock. It also indicates a single combed bird that was produced from pea-combed ancestors.

Lavendar Orpingtons

March 2021

New to our farm, these purple birds are docile and beautiful. They are very rare but because of their sweet personality and large egg production, they are sure to become a homestead favorite.  

Homegardenand homestead.com says: History of Lavender Orpington Chickens

The first Orpington chickens were bred by William Cook in the 1800s, who named them after the small town of Orpington, England. Cook bred them to be the perfect dual-purpose bird, meaning great egg layers and great meat birds for the dinner table.

Cook took his prized Orpingtons to U.S. poultry shows, and the breed was an instant hit. Before long, the original black-colored Orpington was joined by several other colors, including white, red and the American favorite: buff.

During the mid-20th century, when small homesteads were replaced by large-scale poultry farms, the Orpington breed fell out of favor. Orpingtons were eventually placed on the “threatened” breed list. But during the past 30 years or so, the breed has seen a resurgence as a family and show breed. Today, Orpington chickens are more popular than ever.

Lavender Orpington chickens are a more recent addition to the Orpington family. The color, introduced in the late 1990s, is technically a very diluted black. It resulted after decades of breeding in the U.K. This color breeds “true,” so two Lavender Orpington chickens will produce all Lavender babies.

Temperament of the Breed

The more common Buff Orpington is known as the “golden retriever” of the poultry world for its sweet disposition, and the Lavender Orpington is proving to be just as friendly! When raised from chicks, these birds love to come when called, hop up on laps, and settle in for cuddles and treats. Because they are so docile, Lavender Orpingtons make great pets for families with children.

Their gentle nature extends to the roosters too. Lavender Orpington roosters make good protectors, but they tend to be non-aggressive towards people. If you find yourself in the city and one of your Lavender Orpington chicks turns out to be a rooster, chances are he will be easy to re-home.

Broodiness

Broodiness is the instinct to sit on a clutch of eggs and become a chicken-mom. Fortunately, broodiness is a well-known trait in Lavender Orpington chickens. They tend to “go broody” once or twice a year, and they make excellent mothers.

Egg Production

One great reason to consider Lavender Orpingtons is their eggs. Hens are moderate to heavy layers of large light brown, pink-tinted eggs. Average is about 200 eggs per year. They won’t exactly out-lay a Leghorn, but their production is plenty for a small family.

American Bresse Chicken

March 2021

Lily Creek introduced the American Bresse to our farm in spring 2020.  They are a sweet and docile breed that makes tons of large brown eggs. BresseFarms.com says: The American bresse chicken have many unique traits. Besides the blue coloration of thier feet, bresse birds are widely known for their excellent tasting meat. The American bresse comes in four colors, white, blue, black and splash. The Amercican white bresse is stictly for meat and egg production. When grown the white bresse will weigh on average around 6 to 7 lbs. American Bresse are know to be able during the fattening process to produce a marbling effect just like beef. This makes the most succulent, juicy, firm but tender meat imaginable. Along with the marbling effect, bresse have an intense flavor that leaves you begging for more. Bresse are a far cry from the bland chickens currently being put on our tables.

All colors of the bresse obtain the bright red comb and blue steel legs that makes them so attractive and poplar. The colored bresse when fully grown will reach a weight of around 5.5lbs. Making them a little smaller than the white breed.

Besides being widely known for thier meat, bresse chickens are also excellent egg layers. When fed the right mixture of food a bresse hen in her prime can lay up to 250 eggs per year per hen. Bresse hens lay a large golden brown egg.

Bresse chickens were first imported from France in 2011 into the United States . All bresse chickens in the U.S. are called American bresse due to import restrictions.

Bresse chickens are very expensive in France, commanding a high premium over other fine poultry in the region. One bresse hen in France can cost up to $200.00 U.S. dollars.

Bresse chickens are not what you are used to eating at the store. Most store bought chickens are White rock and cornish crosses. These birds are poplar in supermarkets because of their rapid growth rate. More often than not, these birds are ready to be processed in as little as 6 to 8 weeks. Bresse chickens taste nothing like the genetically modified meat most Americans are used to eating. Recent studies show that chicken is not the most poplar meat in America. However, that is about to change with the American bresse.

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