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If you are interested in this chicken ’s sister strain , the White - Faced Black Spanish , you may have get wind of Minorcas .
Minorcas have been used in many breeding projects and played a large part in the gorgeous threefold - purpose breed , theBlack Australorp . Anyone who has seen the Minorca has probably keep the clown - like icon in their head because they do n’t have a forgettable face due to their with child white earlobes .
About Minorca Chickens
This fascinating chicken has been around for well over a century and a one-half , although it was only accepted into the American Standard of Perfection in 1888 . British the great unwashed find the original fund for this Gallus gallus on the island of Menorca , part of the Balearic Islands near Spain .
There are several dissimilar varieties of the Minorca accept into the American Standard of Perfection . Some Minorcan varieties proudly sport single combs and some extend rose combs on their heads . calamitous and White Minorcas have been accept in both rose and single coxcomb varieties , as well as the single combed Buff Minorca .
Minorca Characteristics
1. Size and Weight
Minorcas are prissy , medium sized chickens that are n’t too vainglorious . hen count in at about 7.5 pounds when fully mature . A full - grow cock generally tops out somewhere around 9 punt .
2. Temperament
The disposition of Minorcas can diverge a decent bite depending on how much human interaction they get during their adolescent years .
Generally , these Gallus gallus are a piece flighty , as are many Mediterranean wimp breeds . In addition to their whimsicality , this is a very talkative breed and you will always hear them clack around the yard .
3. Egg Production
Although the Minorca was crossed with many chicken breeds over the age , bollock production still is n’t phenomenal .
Annual egg yield seldom caps 120 ashen eggs per hen . While this is n’t direful , if you are look for specifically for an egg producer , you could happen stock that lay up to 280 eggs per twelvemonth .
4. Meat Production
As a more or less larger chicken , a dressed out carcass on this bird is n’t too shabby . However , the Minorcan is report to have wry meat . Historically , chickens would be prepared with lard stuffed in the tit to moisten the meat .
Caring for Minorcas
1. Feeding and Nutrition
Young chickens need to bulge off with achick starterfrom hatch to 14 - 16 week of age . Around 14 - 16 calendar week of age , it ’s best to switch your young Bronx cheer to a good qualitylaying feedto prepare their soundbox for egg - laying .
Ca supplements are a common need for lay hens if they are n’t get enough atomic number 20 in their lay feed . you’re able to murder the membrane from the inside of shell and oppress the shells up to eat them back to your hen . Oyster shellsare a low hassle option you could find at many feed stores .
2. Housing and Fencing
Minorcas are adaptable chickens that do well in both childbed and free - range environments . enclose runs do need a minimum of 10 satisfying feet per chicken , and the more space you may cater the better .
Inside yourchicken cage , you want to provide 4 square feet of floor space per chicken . Each chicken also need 12 inches of roost space . A good formula of thumb is to also admit 1nesting boxfor every 7 - 9 lay biddy .
3. Health Issues and Care
Since Minorcas are a Mediterranean stock , they are bred for extreme heat and do quite well in hot climates . Shade and accession to fresh water are always imperative for any brute in the passion .
Keep an optic on your chickens for anything amiss such as sternutation , lassitude , runny nozzle , and other deportment that are out of the norm for ahealthy flock . A watchful eye on your chicken is a dandy way to captivate any issues before they get out of hand .
4. Breeding
Although grownup Minorcas have full - on white sarcoid faces , Minorca chicks look just like any other lovely foggy skirt . If you desire a fairly mere wench to cover without intricate feather pattern , you ’ll find the Minorcas a convenient breed .
Minorca Breed Alternatives
1. White-Faced Black Spanish
TheWhite Faced Black Spanishis very similar in coming into court and source as the Minorca , and it seems like a definite opening that there is some shared bloodline between these two breeds . White Faced Black Spanish chickens also have a slightly better orchis output than Minorcas .
Did You Know?
Mediterranean breeds are loosely middling small crybaby due to the fact that they are meant to withstand heat . The less body fat , the easier it is to allot with heating plant . While Minorcas still are n’t vast crybaby , they are the biggest Mediterrannean chicken out there !
If you ’re look for a fun lawn ornament , conversation crank , or show razz , the Minorca just might outfit the bill !
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