Chicken Breed Focus - Minorca

[sumi]

The largest of the Mediterranean breeds, Minorca, aka Moorish Fowl are most excellent layers of large white eggs. They are extremely heat tolerant, very good foragers and free rangers, all together a very tough and hardy breed. They are quite active and very good flyers, though they generally do well in confinement and are still used in commercial egg production in some parts of the world. The large carcass size makes for a decent table bird, though the meat is reported to be dry and usually “larded” aka stuffed with lard, before cooking.

Named for the Island of Minorca, off the Spanish coast in the Mediterranean, in the past birds of this type were commonly found in the Castile regions north of Madrid. The exact origins of the breed are shrouded in history, but one tradition has them coming to Spain from Africa with the Moors, another tradition has them coming from Italy with the Romans. They were found in England as early as the 1780’s and the British developed them as an international breed and show bird, they were imported into the US in 1884.

Originally with large white ear lobes and a very large single comb, the rose comb variety was developed around 1900 in the US. They usually are found in four main colors, Black, Blue, White and Buff, though breeders are working on other project colors. They are quite popular as exhibition birds today.

Admitted into the APA starting in 1888.
On the Livestock Conservancy’s Watch list.

Details:

Breed purpose: Dual purpose
Comb Type: Single, Rose
Broodiness: Non-Setters
Climate Tolerance: Heat Tolerant, very hardy.
Weight: 9 lbs roosters, 7.5 lbs hens.
Egg Productivity: Very Good
Egg Size: Large
Egg Color: White



Blue project - Pic by @SanderB



Buff cockerel - Pic by @cochinman2005



Black pullet - Pic by @SanderB



Pic by @Gracie9205



Pic by @omegorchards


BYC Breed Reviews:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/minorca

BYC Breed Discussions:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/378195/minorca-thread/0_20


Do you own Minorcas? Are you a Minorca breeder? If so, please reply to this thread with the your thoughts and experiences, including:

· What made you decide to get this breed?
· Do you own them for fun? Breeding? Some other purpose?
· What are your favorite characteristics about this breed?
· Post some pics of your birds; male/female, chicks, eggs, etc!

We have a bunch of other awesome breed-focus threads for you to enjoy. You can see all of them here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chicken-breed-focus-project.975504/

 

[Nardo]

I want some

 

[ejcrist]

Beautiful birds. I've liked them since I first read about them. I'm always looking for heat-tolerant birds and they fit the bill nicely. Too many chickens, not enough space.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Beautiful! I want some too

 

[AmandaMBG]

Are there bantams of these? My bantam pullet looks a heck of a lot like that black pullet. Could just be coincidence thoz

 

[ChickieG'ma]

We have one of these. She was the "gift" chick in our first batch of chicks. Seven years old now she's like the elegant little old lady in the flock. She used to lay xtra large white eggs, at least 5 a week. One of the sweetest chickens we've ever had. I wouldn't mind having a whole flock.

 

[Duke12]

Such a pretty breed

Didn't get any this year but could be for next spring, need to start looking for a breeder. Love the buff cockerel shown!!!

 

[Peep_Show]

I've got one that I got at the feed store (so hatchery stock) and she's the smallest bird in my flock, weighing less than my Leghorn hen. However, she does lay that nice big white egg nearly every day. Rather flighty, though.

 

[lbenedict15]

This is my boy, Chirp. I am actually raising him for a friend who wants the feathers. Chirp is hatchery stock, and there are a few things I've noticed that aren't true to the breed.

He is a great bird, protects the ladies, and is just as handsom as can be. The only thing I worry about with him is the winter. Lots of vaseline is already in stock for that large comb!

 

[Peeps61]

I have six Minorca hens. I have a white leghorn hen and when one of the Minorca's is next to her, they look like negative images of each other! I've enjoyed my hens and have had nothing but good experiences with them. Egg production is great, and they seem to get along well with all the members of the flock.