JAVA CHICKENS back from the brink
(Page 2 of 3)
The tests came back with a strong possibility that our
flock is purebred and genetically different from other
breeds, such as the Black Jersey Giant, a Java hybrid. We
also found out that we had several distinct lineages
present. All this was great news. It meant we had a better
chance of expanding our small flock into a viable breeding
community capable of re-establishing the Black Java
population.
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Then we received even more good news. The Museum of Science
and Industry in Chicago offered to incubate and hatch eggs
in their facilities, allowing us to increase our numbers
faster. With the increased number of chicks, we have been
able to increase our own flock and have chicks available
for individuals who want to start their own flocks.
We were thrilled our repopulation efforts were working so
well. Then in 1999, we were shocked and thrilled when four
of our chicks came out white. Although never officially
recognized as a breed, White Javas are a known variation of
the Blacks. The last White Java chicken was seen in the
1950s, but the genes for the variety lay hidden in our
flock of Blacks. We jumped on the opportunity to
reintroduce another variety. We now have 75 White Javas and
will be able to sell a few this year to establish new
flocks. Some of our Whites have a blue-gray color on their
first feathers. We're hopeful that we can use these chicks
to revive the Blue Java variety. So far, none of the chicks
have kept their blue tendencies into adulthood, but given
our string of luck, we hope to have a Blue flock soon.
What Javas need now are opportunities on small farms across
the country. Their attitude, size, and meat and egg quality
make them ideal homestead birds. You don't have to live on
an old-fashioned farmstead to bring this important piece of
American agricultural history back from the edge of
oblivion. Just let us know you want to help.
For more information about the Java breed or to inquire
about starting your own Java flock, contact the Garfield
Farm Museum at info@garfieldfarm.org ; (630) 584-8485; or
Garfield Farm Museum, P.O. Box 403, LaFox, IL 60147. You
can visit Garfield Farm on the Web at www.garfieldfarm.org
. To join the Java Club contact Pete Malmberg at
pamhlm@raccoon.com .
