Java Thread

[NotAFarm]

nico d, I posted a pic of an Auburn Jave cockerel with some Freedom Rangers that I had processed in Oct in the "Meat Bird Etc" forum here on BYC (I don't know how to link threads or I would do that). I don't want to post it here because some people on BYC don't want to see dressed birds in most forums. The Meat Birds Etc forum is different because the focus is different. Go to the Search in the blue bar up top and type in Java and chose the Meat Birds Etc forum. You will see the the thread asking "Has anyone tried Java......." my pic and info is there.

javachick, Ditto on the caponizing..........lots of threads about it in the Meat Bird Etc forum.

Javas were one of the original "dual purpose" birds and used to create many of the Heritage breeds. My Auburns come from the Black Javas at Garfield Farm Museum in LaFox, Illinois. I'm trying to help find the lost Brown/Auburn Javas of the past. See behlfarms.com and click on Auburn Javas on the left menu for more info on them. I'd love to see pics of anyone's Auburns.

Later, Mary

 

[javachick]

Well...ah...depends on what you're cooking. Fryers you could butcher early ( 6 to 8 months). Roasters you wait until they were older. Honestly, I have found the BJ meat tight not tender like a cornish or cornishx but for chicken soup or a chicken stew where you cook the meat slower it gets tenderer.

I guess you are wondering the weight at what age? A bj rooster goes @9.5 lbs but that is a mature bird at two years old. They are still maturing at one year old. If I was raising a meat pen of Javas I would butcher between 9 and 12 months old. I read that you can caponize at 3 months old and not any younger because you will not find what you are looking for until after the age of three months.

But, that is just my experience. I am sure others have more input for you to make the best decision for you and your needs.

Why don't you just butcher the birds yourself?

javachick

 

[javachick]

Mary thanks for the heads up about the Meat Bird Etc forum. I am checking it out.

javachick

 

[bigzio]

Good Evening All... I culled 11 bj cockerals about the time they would anoy your neighbors (20-24 weeks) they ranged in weight dressed from 3.5 lbs to 5.5 lbs depending on the bird and the age. They make nice roasters and turn out to fall off the bone tender. Not a tender fryer, and free range birds are usually better for roasting. The cornishX are for sure more tender, and also alot less flavorful. I'm only gonna roast the javas...prolly the way they were usually cooked.

~ bigzio

 

[javachick]

I found it, the online library:

http://www.archive.org/

I have found some very cool old poultry books on this site. I found old copies of the "American Poultry Standards" and in a copy of "The Plymouth Rock Standard and Breed Book 1915" I found some interesting references to Black Javas and White Javas.

Have any of you poultry enthusiast found any good poultry books you love and recommend?

javachick

 

[Chickielady]

Quote:
Really ? If there is any spec references in there for the Rhode Island White please let me know, and maybe I can con you into copying the pages for me ???
Pretty pleeeeeze ?
I would love some Java insight as well.

 

[nico demouse]

Quote:
Well, I would be open to learning that, but (again, assuming our efforts to legalize are successful) slaughter is likely to be banned in my community. We actually have very inexpensive places in the city (at least it seems to me -- $3/bird) and it's not too far.

I value the knowledge and skill involved and think it is something I *should* know how to do.

I'm going to go find the meat birds thread and read up there. Thank you for the suggestion of that thread. I hope I haven't talked too specifically about it for this thread. I'm still getting used to what's allowed where.

 

[nico demouse]

Quote:
Thank you, bigzio. That info helps!

 

[bigzio]

Nico, you are welcome! My girls are laying nice and regular. I'm thinkin they will lay ll winter without extra light. Good pullets usually do.
~ bigzio

 

[Engteacher]

Are you having any excessive broodiness? I have 16 hens that all started laying in late August, early September and now three of them are trying to sit. I let two go and gave them eggs to hatch but now another bird won't leave the nest box. I'm debating whether or not to break her or let her go. I want a good flock, but I question the wisdom of setting eggs in MN in early winter. It will be a supreme test of their mothering instinct, to be sure.

First girl is hatching on Wednesday. I'll let you know how she does.