Questions about Java's

[Happy Chooks]

I'm interested in Java's, but while researching, I'm seeing conflicting info on their breed. I'd be interested in either mottled or black. (large fowl)

Egg laying? Some sites say high production layer, others say poor egg production.

Also, if you could tell me about your Java's. Temperament, size of roosters, broodiness, etc. I'd love to know more about this breed from people that actually have them.

Thanks!

ETA for clarification.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Oh, and it says they are not hardy in winter. I'm in Northern CA so our winters are not really harsh, but we do get below freezing and some snow in winter. How cold is too cold for this breed?

 

[Germaine_11.20]

Sorry, no help here but I would like to know too. I managed to hatch out both a roo and pullet. They are gorgeous. I wanted them for their coloring but it would be a good idea (don't cha think?) to really know more about them LOL.

They are easy going birds so far, but they are only about 8 weeks. It has been really fun to watch their colors change, right now they are still about 1/2 and 1/2 black and white. I believe that will change when they are adults to more black with a little white.

 

[Germaine_11.20]

I live in Idaho and they are out there free ranging with the rest of the birds. I coop them at night and they all run free during the day. Yesterday it was only around 26 when I let everyone out, so they are pretty hardy.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Also, can you keep mottled and blacks together? (like the BBS breeding) Or will it mess them up?

 

[RAREROO]

Quote:
I can't help with the question about hardiness, I'm just getting started, I;ve got 6 mottle chicks in the brooder and I'm getting eggs of Black, Whites, and Mottleds soon.

However if you keep them together and the mottle cross with the Blacks, the chicks that hatch will be solid black but will be split mottled ( carrieing one copy of the mottling gene) and if you cross those chicks together, you will get about 25% Mottled Javas, 50% Black (split mottled) Javas, and 25% Black Javas. or if you cross those chicks back to the mottled Javas you will get half mottled and half split. So no, it doesn't work like the BBS genes.

I have compiled a large list of Java breeders if you are interested in maybe getting eggs or chicks from them. Email me if you want and I'll send it to you.

 

[zephyrcreek]

I am in the Southern Thumb of Michigan, and yes they are cold hardy. I did cull my larger combed roos this winter as they did get a touch of frostbite on a night that dropped close to 0*. Everyone else did great!

My flock is composed of birds from 2 different breeders, one tracing back to Garfield farms. The GF birds are larger, and matured faster. They were very independant as juveniles but at a year old are developing personalities and are very curious about me. They have variation in combs. My other group are much smaller, but they were a late summer hatch and I have noticed the same thing with two other breeds I have that were hatched at the same time. I think it is a climate thing as they are starting to fill out now that we are getting some sunshine and the temps are staying in the 20's. Their combs are very consistent, and coloring is wonderful. They have been very interested in me right from the beginning, but are still more independant than my Wyndottes or Dels.

I think that the two groups will complement each other well, and should produce some amazing offspring. I too have heard some inconsistancies about production levels. I think a lot of that has to do with the very small gene pool and low number of birds. Hopefully we can find more people interested in preserving these wonderful birds. While I plan to select for standard, production levels will come first. It will take me a few years, but I will eventually get there. My first set seems to be laying 4-5 eggs a week each, but they just started laying in the past 2 weeks. It will be interesting to see what the next set lays.

Ellen

 

[zephyrcreek]

Generally you need to keep each color seperated. This is even more important if you want to sell eggs. Imagine my surprise when I purchased 2 orders of Black Java eggs and half of them hatched out Mottled! While Blacks may hatch out a white, mottled, or even auburn Java occasionally the majority of the eggs should always be Black. UGH! Adding to the confusion is Blacks can carry a red gene ( sorry I don't know the genetic markers/terms) but mature to look exactly the same as a black. The chicks will have a dark reddish/brown fuzz, instead of the typical black and yellow fuzz. There are a few people working on this variety to recreate the auburn java. Gorgeous birds. That's a project I hope to work on in the future.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Thanks for the info everyone.

Rareroo, you have mail.

 

[Happy Chooks]

I'm hoping Onthespot will see this.