View source for Biology:Ixworth chicken

{{short description|British breed of chicken}}
{{use list-defined references|date=August 2014}}
{{infobox poultry breed
| name          = Ixworth
| image         = 
| image_size    =
| alt           = 
| image_caption =
| status        = [[Organization:Rare Breeds Survival Trust|RBST]]: at risk{{r|rbst}}
| altname       =
| country       = United Kingdom
| distribution  =
| standard      =
| use           = dual-purpose{{r|graham|page=153}}
| nickname      =
| apa           = 
| aba           = 
| ee            = 
| pcgb          = rare soft feather: heavy{{r|pcgb}}
| maleweight    = Standard: 3.6–4.1 kg{{r|roberts|page=140}}<br>Bantam: 1020 g{{r|roberts|page=142}}
| femaleweight  =Standard: 2.7–3.2 kg{{r|roberts|page=140}}<br>Bantam: 790 g{{r|roberts|page=142}}
| skincolour     = white
| eggcolour      =tinted{{r|roberts|page=140}}
| comb          =pea comb
| note          = 
| type          = [[Biology:Chicken|Chicken]]
| latin         = Gallus gallus domesticus
}}

The '''Ixworth''' is an English breed of white domestic [[Biology:Chicken|chicken]]. It is named for the village of Ixworth in Suffolk, where it was created in 1932.{{r|pcgb2}} It was bred as fast-growing high-quality meat breed with reasonable laying abilities.{{r|graham|page=153}}

== 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.{{r|pcgb2}} It was bred from white Sussex,  white Minorca, white Orpington, Jubilee, Indian Game and white Indian Game chickens,{{r|roberts|page=140}} with the intention of creating a dual purpose breed, a fast-growing high-quality meat bird with reasonable egg-laying ability.{{r|graham|page=153}} An Ixworth bantam was created in 1938; Appleyard thought it better than the standard-sized bird.{{r|roberts|page=140}}

In the 1970s the Ixworth almost disappeared; it has since gradually recovered. It is a [[Biology:Rare breed (agriculture)|rare breed]]: in 2007 it was listed by the FAO as "endangered-maintained".{{r|barb|page=123}} In 2008 it was listed as "Category 2: endangered" by the [[Organization:Rare Breeds Survival Trust|Rare Breeds Survival Trust]],{{r|rbstold}} and in 2014 was on the Trust's list of native poultry breeds at risk.{{r|rbst}}

== Characteristics ==

The plumage of the Ixworth is pure white. The [[Biology:Comb (anatomy)|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.{{r|roberts|page=140}}

In a comparative study conducted at the [[Organization:Roslin Institute|Roslin Institute]] in 2003, Ixworth hens were found to reach a live weight of {{nobreak|4.03 kg}} at 55 weeks, and to lay on average 0.74 eggs per day, with an average egg weight of {{nobreak|61.0 g.}}{{r|rbstold|bps|page2=366}}

The meat commands premium prices.{{r|rbstold}}

==References==
{{reflist|refs=

<ref name=barb>Barbara Rischkowsky, D. Pilling (eds.) (2007). [ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/010/a1250e/annexes/List%20of%20breeds%20documented%20in%20the%20Global%20Databank%20for%20Animal%20Genetic%20Resources/List_breeds.pdf List of breeds documented in the Global Databank for Animal Genetic Resources], annex to [ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/010/a1250e/a1250e.pdf ''The State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture'']. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. {{ISBN|9789251057629}}. Accessed October 2014.</ref>

<ref name=bps>P.M. Hocking, M. Bain, C.E. Channing, R. Fleming, S. Wilson (2003). [https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/0007166031000085535?needAccess=true Genetic variation for egg production, egg quality and bone strength in selected and traditional breeds of laying fowl]. ''British Poultry Science'' '''44''' (3): 365–373. {{doi|10.1080/0007166031000085535}}. {{subscription required}}.</ref>

<ref name=graham>Chris Graham (2006). ''Choosing and Keeping Chickens''. London: Hamlyn. {{ISBN|9780600614388}}.</ref>

<ref name=pcgb>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143235/http://www.poultryclub.org/img/Breed%20Classification.pdf Breed Classification]. Poultry Club of Great Britain. Archived 12 June 2018.</ref>

<ref name=pcgb2>[https://web.archive.org/web/20181109100645/https://www.poultryclub.org/breed-gallery/chickens/ Chickens]. Poultry Club of Great Britain. Archived 9 November 2018.</ref>

<ref name=rbst>[https://web.archive.org/web/20140701233204/https://www.rbst.org.uk/poultry-breeds-at-risk-2014.pdf Native Poultry Breeds at Risk]. Rare Breeds Survival Trust. Archived 1 July 2014.</ref>

<ref name=rbstold>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080624040052/http://www.rbst.org.uk/watch-list/poultry/ixworth.php Poultry: Ixworth: 2008 Watchlist; Category 2, Endangered]. Rare Breeds Survival Trust. Archived 24 June 2008.</ref>

<ref name=roberts>Victoria Roberts (2008). [https://books.google.com/books?id=nAfyUHY42u0C ''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}}.</ref>

}}


[[Category:Animal breeds on the RBST Watchlist]]


{{Sourceattribution|Ixworth chicken}}