Java Reviews

I've had Black Javas for about 14 months. I like their activeness. They are angular and larger sized, giving a very athletic appearance. The cockerels have not been aggressive towards me at eight to ten months old. Both sexes shy away from contact. They are from two different lines. I think they are beautiful, but most people are not so fond of black birds. (One hen even has dark comb and wattles.) When visitors see them they don't have much wow factor.My first pullet laid at four months and two weeks, with others following shortly. They are hardy, love to hustle their own food, and seem to fit the character of heritage fowl. The cockerels are about average with regard to crowing. The hens are fairly quiet.

These birds are so sweet and the mottled is very striking  slow to mature but gets along with the other birds

I received our chicks from Garfield Farm Museum, LaFox, IL.

Every spring, the museum has a Rare Breed Show and Sale where all sorts of rare breeds are shown, some bring rabbits, goats, ducks, chickens to sell - others are there to show a rare breed, cows, horses, sheep - there is something there for everyone!  This is a great family event with the museum showcasing several activities for families to participate in. 

I specifically chose this breed to purchase and to establish a breeding flock.  Our black Java's are thriving - despite the winter weather, I'm averaging 16 eggs a week from 5 hens.  Our rooster, "Roaster" is noisy - protective of his girls, his turf - from everything from the barnyard squirrels to the wind!  Their run overlooks the driveway, so we say we have an 'alarm rooster', as he crows his head off when someone comes down the drive!

These are LARGE birds.  Took a long time to grow to full size (well over 24wks).  They started laying about 27weeks.  I'm not sure exactly when the rooster got to be full size - I'd like to say it was AFTER the hens started laying.

But they've not stopped laying!  No supplemental light.  Hardy.  Fully feathered to protect against wind and cold.  Heat did not stop them in the summertime.  Being black feathered, I was concerned about heatstroke - they did great!  Also, being black feathered, they are able to hide from our local hawk population better than the white Java.   

Being a critical breed they have some work to improve them overall, in regards to the Standard Of Perfection.

Not alot of disversity in the gene pool, making good decisions during breeding important overall for the improvement toward the SOP.

Very gentle hens that love to sing all day long.

  bigz

Hopefully in 3 weeks I have 2 of these!!  

Javas are nice hardy large fowl that produce eggs almost the entire year.  I think  that there may have been a couple of weeks in the winter that they didn't lay, as compared to some of my other breeds that stopped laying for a couple of months through the winter.  As with most birds, they are more tame if handled more.  I like the variety of colors in the breed, though I prefer to keep them separated.  Unfortunately, I can't let them free range, but we have them pastured, with movable pens; they will be integrated into our attempt at a semi-permaculture rotational gardening system.

These are absolutely gorgeous birds, true to their heritage and healthy where I have found other "new" breeds not as healthy.

The Java is an outstanding layer in all weather, and are beautiful shimmering beetle/green/purple black birds.

They are thoughtful, and intelligent, and love free range above housed feed.

Give them free range and they are very happy.

Coop locked up for a 6 day blizzard and they are also fine, not resorting to feather picking or other negative issues.

Loved these mustard footed birds. I was working on Auburn birds....very ice looking birds. Striking!

Loved them.