| Conservation status | RBST: at risk[1] |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Use | dual-purpose[2]: 153 |
| Traits | |
| Weight | |
| Skin colour | white |
| Egg colour | tinted[3]: 140 |
| Comb type | pea comb |
| Classification | |
| PCGB | rare soft feather: heavy[4] |
| |
TheIxworth is an Englishbreed of white domesticchicken. It is named for the village ofIxworth inSuffolk, where it was created in 1932.[5] It was bred as fast-growing high-quality meat breed with reasonable laying abilities.[2]: 153
The Ixworth was created in 1932 byReginald Appleyard, who also created theSilver Appleyard Duck, at his poultry farm in the village ofIxworth inSuffolk.[5] It was bred from whiteSussex, whiteMinorca, whiteOrpington, 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 Ixworthbantam 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 arare breed: in 2007 it was listed by theFAO as "endangered-maintained".[6]: 123 In 2008 it was listed as "Category 2: endangered" by theRare Breeds Survival Trust,[7] and in 2014 was on the Trust's list of native poultry breeds at risk.[1]
The plumage of the Ixworth is pure white. Thecomb 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 theRoslin Institute in 2003, Ixworth hens were found to reach a live weight of4.03 kg at 55 weeks, and to lay on average 0.74 eggs per day, with an average egg weight of61.0 g.[7][8]: 366
The meat commands premium prices.[7]
