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Complete your Family with the Asil Chicken

The Asil Chicken May Be The Unique Pet To

However; since then there are bigger and more fierce breeds that are being bred today for cockfighting, they have fallen out of favor. Since it is in their nature to fight, one does have to be careful how they house them together.

If you are looking for that special pet to complete your family, you might want to consider the Asil Chicken. If you have not resided in the country or on a farm, having a chicken as a pet may seem like a strange idea. But if you have the proper facilities to house a chicken, this may be the pet you have been looking for.

This breed of poultry can trace its roots back as far as 1500BC in the areas of India and Pakistan. This is a well-muscled chicken, so they are not really meant to be eaten. Although some cultures have made some tasty recipes. They were bred because of their natural tendencies to fight one another. These traits along with the larger size made them more attractive to those that where into cockfighting. Cockfighting today is illegal and immoral, of course.

The world of cockfighting is starting to overlook these birds for larger and more tenacious birds. Due to the Asil chicken's tendencies, it is wise to consider this when mapping out living quarters for the birds.

Young chicks will fight each other; separation at a young age will be in order before they are big enough to hurt each other. Knowing the birds' personalities will go a long way to knowing who can live with who. Following basic guidelines is always helpful but will not apply to every animal. All animals require sufficient supervision, especially when they are experiencing a new interaction.

What about these chickens makes them a decent pet? It would have to be their overwhelming affection and intelligence that sets them apart from the poultry breeds. Their tendency for affection will make them seek out their owners for attention, much like a cat or dog. When they are happy with their surroundings, the owners will notice that happiness; making them a fun animal to have around. They are filled with unique personalities and are truly interactive.

If you are looking for a good egg layer, then you need to be looking at another breed of chicken. The Asil hen makes a poor egg layer. Ironically, they are excellent sitters. So, the eggs they do lay will usually be healthy. The entire breed is known for the fact that they rarely become ill. Disease is common in most poultry breeds and this breed remains healthy under good to fair conditions.

Ultimately, it is up to you whether you decide that a chicken is a pet for you and your family. They can be pet and cuddled like a cat or dog, but they are not going to be likely to be found lying next to a fireplace on a cold night. They may fit in as a cute, little barnyard animal.

For more information about the Asil Chicken and to find the right chicken coops to keep your chickens in visit ChickenCoopAdvice.com

A Closer Look At Chickens: Araucana

There are many traits of the Araucana that make it a very desirable pet and egg producer. No other chicken is quite like this one and it is a favorite among chicken lovers all over the world.

Many people that live in the country already know how helpful and useful chickens are. The newest movement of owning chickens in the city is creating a boom in the sale of chicken coops. Most people that have backyard chickens like to know that the chickens they are raising are not only productive, but can be great pets as well. This article will cover some of the basics of chickens, especially the breed known as Araucana.

This breed of chicken has been around for many years and has earned the reputation of one to own. This fowl has been noted as far back as the sixteenth century and is noted to come to America not long after that. The first notes about these chickens were made by Ferdinand Magellan when he took a trip around the world. He got the chickens from the Guarani Indians which were closely related to the Araucana tribe. This tribe is where the fowl got their name.

The next time the chickens are mentioned in history is in the 188s when they were raised by the tribe for which they got their name. They were noted so much in history because of their unique traits and appearance. They came to the states when the Spaniards did their exploring because they rarely left their fowl when they went out. When they brought the chickens to America, they interbred with other breeds which created other fowl such as the Americana.The next notes that mentioned the breed was in the late 1800s by the tribe that raised them. They were soon brought across the ocean by the Spaniards. The Spaniards were known to take their fowl with them during their explorations. Soon after bringing them to the states, other breeds developed because of cross breeding. This could have been the origins of the Americana, a chicken that has many traits that are similar to the traits of the Araucana.

There are many traits of the Araucana that make it a very desirable pet and egg producer. No other chicken is quite like this one and it is a favorite among chicken lovers all over the world.

The appearance of this breed of chicken is just one of the many reasons that fowl lovers are big fans of this bird. They are rumpless which means they do not have long or flashy chicken feathers like many other types of fowl. This rumpless appearance is just one of the distinguishing aspects to the pure bred.

They truly stand out because of the eggs they lay. There are only two true colors of eggs from chickens, white and blue. Brown eggs are a white egg with a brown overlay; the green egg is a blue with a brown overlay. True blue eggs typically come from the Araucana breed, Americana typically lay green eggs which is a sign of cross breeding with other types of chickens.

Anyone interested in raising chickens for eggs and a pet should really consider this breed of chicken. They are mildly tempered and typically enjoy the company of humans. They are a smaller breed of chicken; therefore they do not need a large area to be raise.

When raising chickens as pets or for egg production, this breed is a very good choice. The color of the eggs laid by them will amaze your family and friends. To find them, you need to find a hatchery or someone that has some that they have bred.

The Buttercup Chicken Is Beautiful And Interesting

Although the eggs are small and few in number, the Buttercup is a dependable layer. Controversy exists, however, in the attributes of keeping this variety as a pet. Some experts recommend it as a pet because it is a curious and friendly breed. The buttercup chicken, originally developed in Sicily in the 1800's, is also known as the Sicilian Buttercup. According to records, one pair was imported to the US in the latter part of that century and today's stock flourishes as descendants of that same coupling. The breed is rare, beautiful, worthy of exhibition, a consistent layer and good to keep as a pet.

Their eggs are few and small but the Buttercup hen is a dependable layer. All experts do not agree, however, about this breed as a pet. Some experts recommend it as a pet because of its curiosity and friendliness.

Some propose that although it is friendly, it also a good flier, and so, enjoys its independence too much to be kept as a pet. A third group of experts believe that the Buttercup avoids human contact completely. They all agree, however, that baby chicks can be trained to enjoy interaction with humans.

Chicks seem to be limited in numbers but are available from several hatcheries which can be accessed online. Experts and owners agree that males tend to be friendlier than females. Generally, the breed does not like to be confined and will enjoy human company when provided with a warm habitat and outdoor areas to roam and fly.

A warm coop will protect this bird's unique comb from frostbite and the comb is very sensitive to cold. It is specifically because of its unique crown-like shaped comb and its golden-toned feathers that the breed has acquired its name.

Its golden feathers and stunning crown make the buttercup chicken an attractive bird and therefore renders it as a definite prize-winner at exhibitions. The variety was admitted to the "American Poultry Association Standard of Perfection" in 1918. The hen has lovely brown spots or "spangles" in long rows running along golden or amber colored feathers. The males sport dark green tails and their feathers range from dark orange to golden-red spotted with black "spangles".

It is stated that the hens will mature early and start laying when they are 5 months old. The hens are not very productive but will lay an average of 2 eggs per week for their entire life. Again, there seems to be some controversy amongst experts regarding the appearance of the eggs as well. Some claim that they are white and lean toward the small size. Others claim that the eggs have a tint or hew to them.

It may seem odd to think of chickens as pets. Even the name, chicken, will often elicit giggles. Given warm living quarters with adequate room and an outdoor space large enough in which to fly, peck, scratch, walk and sunbathe, any chicken will be happy to be kept as a pet. Bear in mind that buttercup chickens are certainly not the type to be kept in small, cold quarters.

Buttercup chickens can be engaging and very entertaining and some will even learn to sit in one's lap. Hand-raised baby chicks will learn to respond when their name is called, be stroked or cuddled and trained to eat from human hands. Chickens, like all pets, enjoy food as a reward and respond well to love and positive reinforcement.

When raised from chicks in a clean, warm, habitat, buttercup chickens would be an interesting and fun pet. Given that their laying output is approximately two eggs weekly, it wouldn't be wise to seek this breed for this type of food source. Like any pet, a buttercup chicken will be entertaining, beautiful to look admire, good company and at the very least, an unconventional conversation piece.

Amazing Facts About Appenzeller Spitzhauben

Though you may have never heard it before, an Appenzeller Spitzhauben is a fascinating breed of chicken. Switzerland considers it to be the national chicken of the country. Its name comes from the frilly hat worn by women from the Appenzeller region in Switzerland. Brought to America by a doctor who successfully introduced the breed for the long term here, the Spitz, as it is called, is a pretty popular bird. Wonder what an Appenzeller Spitzhauben is, and what is curious about it? Then, join the rapidly growing group of people who love this distinctive breed of chicken. Named for its fluffy crest that looks so much like the lacy hats worn by women in the Appenzeller region in Switzerland, the Swiss national chicken is now part of backyard flocks all over the world.

Appenzeller chickens are active as well as being strikingly beautiful. You will need to allow them to roam if you plan to have them. In exchange for this freedom, you will have an amazingly intelligent chicken as a pet. They sport a crest of feathers on their heads with a very distinctive shape. The feathers give them a pompous, yet sort of funny head.

It is possible to order baby chicks, or even eggs ready to hatch from breeders online. They will give you pricing and recommendations for the best order amount for your space and circumstances. Shipping advice includes the correct number of chicks to ship together, so that they receive the best of care while they are traveling.

There are plenty of advantages to having these chickens as pets. For one thing, they will lay eggs. They are great at producing medium to large sized white eggs. The average egg count per year is about 140 to 160 eggs. You will reap the benefits of feeding and caring for them by having fresh, organic eggs with healthy orange yolks. The darker yolk color results from feeding chickens well, and this means more nutrition for your family.

People who enjoy their Spitz say that each one has an unique personality. Part of this comes from their goofy crest of feathers, and the rest comes from their tendency to enjoy being held and stroked if you train them to like it. They are not easily friendly, but once accustomed to your touch, they will like being carted around like a family dog.

Because the birds enjoy foraging for insects, they can be left alone for hours when insects are abundant. They are more quiet than other chickens, and they fly quite well. Good at climbing trees, they may tend to find the closest ones, and sit there for hours.

Some owners find that the Spitz stay cleaner and need less watering. The general thinking is that the birds are smaller in size and tend to be less messy because of it. These chickens also love to roost up in your trees. Some families have found that their chickens are all up in the trees, rather in than in their coop. You may find that this happens to you too, and that the flock may not return to the coop unless it becomes very cold. For these reasons, Spitz have the reputation of being independent, though interesting.

Appenzeller Spitzhauben make excellent backyard pets for families wishing to tend and care for chickens. Though you will need to provide secure fencing if you wish them to remain nearby, you can appreciate their egg laying abilities. Their intelligent traits, and their beautiful, speckled, independence are sure to be entertaining.

Discussing The Ancona Chicken As An Egg Layer And Pet

In the mid eighteen hundreds, the popular Ancona chicken was shipped to England out of the originating city of Ancona, Italy. It then made its way to America in the late eighteen hundreds. History of a chicken? Yes, Ancona chickens used so much around the world began in the Province of Ancona, Italy and the Port of Ancona, the city from which it spread across the world. In the mid eighteen hundreds the popular little chicken arrived in England, being exported in the late eighteen hundreds to America.

The spangled color of the Ancona most likely came from the intermingling of the Original Mottled Leghorn and the Black Leghorn. The Ancona inherited greenish black feathers (some purple tinting) with tips of white. Also got those lovely yellow, featherless legs ending in four well-spaced toes. Yes, toes... And earlobes of white. Yes, earlobes! Of course, toes assist with balance. Very important in chasing bugs... For a chicken. Ears as well! The Anconas in Italy feature colors of reds, browns and white, sometimes showing up with copper color in the hackles on the neck.

On top of the head of the hen, will be found a single floppy comb with the rooster sporting a very straight and tall one. A second variety is the rose colored comb. Their sharp eyesight from the bay colored eyes and its coloring, aids it in staying away from the bad guys!

Several varieties of Anconas can be found in the chicken world. There is a type found in Australia called a Red Ancona, that shows red with specks of white on the neck feathers. The Bantam is a small one. The other available is large.

The rooster weighs in around six pounds and the hen at four and a half pounds. When they lose their feathers (known as moulting), and new ones grow back, the white on the tips becomes bigger. That is a good way to age the chicken. They live eight years or there about, and are enjoyed as pets as well as egg producers.

Speaking of eggs, they lay from one hundred sixty to one hundred eighty large white eggs, (about one a day) a year. It has been said that occasionally there will be tinted eggs. They convert feed to egg production quite well. Given an adequate place to lay these eggs will keep them happy... So will the owner!

Hens are not excessively broody but when they do raise chicks, the chicks grow quickly and are strong (vigorous) chicks. If hand cared-for, the babes can become quite tame and trusting, making a nice pet. They will follow the owner around and may even be taught to come on signal!

The Ancona does not care to be penned up in small spaces. The females are busy little birds, the males being slower. The fact that they are cold hardy will aid the owner in decisions regarding housing. The pet chicken may want to be housed closer to their owner, the regulars in a hen house or coop. Sometimes called a chicken house, this should provide shelter from the elements as well as from predators. Normally this is where the nests would be located as well.

Online there is a game of war and magic that uses the Ancona chicken as a friendly pet. The pet wont fight their battles but can be summoned at will, to follow them around as the warrior chooses! Why don't chickens care for humans? Because they beat their eggs!! (snort, guffaw, chuckle).