The Ixworth is an English breed of white domestic chicken. It is named for the village of Ixworth in Suffolk, where it was created in 1932.[5] It was bred as fast-growing high-quality meat breed with reasonable laying abilities.[2]: 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.[5] It was bred from white Sussex, white Minorca, white Orpington, Jubilee, Indian Game and white Indian Game chickens,[3]: 140 with the intention of creating a dual purpose breed, a fast-growing high-quality meat bird with reasonable egg-laying ability.[2]: 153 An Ixworth bantam was created in 1938; Appleyard thought it better than the standard-sized bird.[3]: 140
In the 1970s the Ixworth almost disappeared; it has since gradually recovered. It is a rare breed: in 2007 it was listed by the FAO as "endangered-maintained".[6]: 123 In 2008 it was listed as "Category 2: endangered" by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust,[7] and in 2014 was on the Trust's list of native poultry breeds at risk.[1]
Characteristics
The plumage of the Ixworth is pure white. The 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.[3]: 140
In a comparative study conducted at the Roslin Institute in 2003, Ixworth hens were found to reach a live weight of 4.03 kg at 55 weeks, and to lay on average 0.74 eggs per day, with an average egg weight of 61.0 g.[7][8]: 366
