Harislau : Utility Poultry & Fancy Pigeons

Recognised:
Created in the 1930's
Recognised by The Poultry Club in 1939

Breeder:
Reginald Appleyard
Priory Waterfowl Farm, Ixworth, Suffolk, Great Britain

Parentage:
White Sussex, White Orpington, White Minorca,
Jubilee, Indian and White Indian Game

Classification:
Soft Feather Heavy Breed
Dual Purpose

Average Weight:
Cock 9lb - 4.1kg
Cockerel 8lb - 3.6kg
Hen 7lb  - 3.2kg
Pullet 6lb - 2.7kg

Ring Size:
Cock - 22mm (PCGB G)
Hen - 18mm (PCGB E)

Productivity:
160 - 260
65gr

Shell Colour:
Tinted

In the early part of the 20th Century, and up to the outbreak of WWII the poultry industry in Great Britain was largely reliant on pure breeds, or the crossing of two pure breeds, for the production of both eggs and table birds, hybrid strains as we know them today were in their infancy. With a growing demand for eggs and meat there was a greater need for increased production and at the same time for a reduction in the cost of feeding non-productive chicks - these were the stimuli which had led to the research and development of the auto-sexing breeds.  

It was in this climate that Reginald Appleyard, a commercial poultry farmer from Priory Waterfowl Farm  in Ixworth, Suffolk, created the  "Ixworth" a truly dual purpose breed suited to the British climate. The major criteria for his breeding programme was the production of a commercially viable breed which were both reliable and economically viable layers and  produced an excellent table bird. 

When he started the  breeding program for the ideal dual-purpose fowl he had a very clear list of requirements,  it must be a truly dual purpose breed, giving a white skinned, light boned, fast-growing, high-quality meat bird with the ability to lay a good number of eggs. He used various breeds in the creation of the "Ixworth" including the White Sussex, White Orpington, White Minorca, Jubilee, White and Dark Indian Game.  Within a relatively short period he had developed the Ixworth and exhibited some at the 1938 Royal Dairy Show, with recognition being granted by the Poultry Club  in 1939. 

The autosexing breeds and the Ixworth were created primarily for commercial purposes. From the time the Ixworth was created it was quickly recognised as being a reliable breed for poultry farmers, and for the next 20 years steadily gained in popularity.  Unfortunately the popularity was short lived and, as was the case with the Autosexing breeds, the Ixworth was soon replaced by the faster growing hybrids introduced from the USA, and as with the autosexing breeds fell into obscurity. Thanks to the tenacity of a few individuals the autosexing breeds and the Ixworth continued in existence, and though rare, are not impossible to find. 

Ironically, more than 90 years after its creation, there is renewed interest in the Ixworth as a commercially viable breed.  In recent years there has been increasing awareness of potentially unacceptable agricultural practices including the culling of day old male chicks in large scale egg production, and in 2022 France and Germany banned the practice. The Ixworth is once again being looked at as a viable commercial breed and the Agricultural Faculty of the University of Bonn in Germany is carrying out a study⁽¹⁾ into the Ixworth, and the results thus far make interesting reading.

As with the Autosexing breeds the Ixworth has survived this far thanks to smallholders and hobby breeders. Many "poultry collections" breed from pairs or trios kept in arks or small pens, and the quality of the breeds is variable at best, fortunately there are breeders who have quality stock and maintain the qualities for which the birds were created.  From personal experience in obtaining stock not all Ixworth out there are the genuine article!

The Ixworth is a hardy no nonsense breed, it's a pure white breed, the head is rather fine in comparison to the body and had a deep red pea comb with small red wattles and ear lobes , the eyes are also a red/orange in colour. The bodies are deep and broad with deep broad rounded breasts, the legs are set wide apart , the necks are relatively long, and the tail is fairly undeveloped and held low - in short there really is nothing fancy about this breed!  From my experience with the breed it's a very placid breed devoid of any vices and perfectly suited to free range, even in the wettest and windy days of winter they want to be out exploring! 

Considering the size of the birds they have relatively small appetites.  The hens are good layers and will produce eggs throughout the year, the eggs are medium size ranging from 60 to 70gr and tinted in colour - anything between off white to cream to flesh coloured. The hens do go broody but after a couple of days in a broody coop soon return back to lay.  All told a very pleasing placid breed to be around a good egg producer and a good table bird. 

 

 

The Poultry Club of Great Britain
Breed Standard
for the
Ixworth

 

 

The all-white Ixworth was created by Reginald Appleyard in 1932, taking its name from the village in Suffolk, and was produced as an excellent table bird with good laying qualities. Breeds used in its make-up included white Sussex, white Orpington, white Minorca, Jubilee, Indian and white Indian Game. In 1938 Ixworth bantams followed, and at the time their breeder said they were better than the large fowl. The breed is now kept by the dedicated few, in both large fowl and bantam.
 
General characteristics: male
Carriage: Alert, active and well balanced.
Type: Body deep, well rounded, fairly long but compact. Back long, flat, reasonably broad, without too prominent a slope to the tail. Breast broad, full, deep, well rounded, long and wide, low breastbone carried well forward; with unpronounced keel or keel point; well fleshed and rounded off for entire length. Wings strong, carried close, showing shoulder butts. Tail compact, of medium length and carried fairly low, the sickles close fitting.
Head: Broad and of medium length. Beak short and stout. Eyes full, prominent, keen expression, without heavy brows. Comb pea type. Face smooth and of fine texture. Earlobes and wattles medium size and fine texture.
Neck: Somewhat erect and of reasonable length. Hackle feathers short, close fitting and in no way excessive or loose.
Legs and feet: Legs well apart, and of reasonable length to ensure activity. Thighs well fleshed and of medium length. Shanks covered with tight scales, free from feathers. Toes, four, straight, well spread and firm stance. Bone characteristic of a first-class table bird.
Plumage: Short, silky and close fitting; fluff likewise.

Female
The general characteristics are similar to those of the male, allowing for the natural sexual differences.

Colour
Male & female: White.
In both sexes: Beak white. Eyes red or bright orange. Comb, face, wattles, and ear lobes brilliant red. Legs, feet, skin and flesh white.

Weights
Cock                     4.10kg (9lb);          cockerel                3.60kg (8lb)
Hen                       3.20kg (7lb);          pullet                     2.70kg (6lb)

Scale of points

Serious defects
Coarseness. Lack of activity. Loose feathers. Any point against table values or general usefulness. Any deformity.
 

BANTAM 
Ixworth bantams should follow exactly the standard for large fowl.

Weights
Male                 1020g (36oz)
Female             790g (28oz)

 

© John S Harrison