Ixworths - Rare Breed
Hatching Eggs & Chicks to POL
Ixworth Hatching - MGF Top Tips
Below are some useful tips on maximizing your Ixworth hatch if you are using an incubator.
Incubate Ixworth eggs on their own, not with eggs from any other breed.Keep the temperature constant at 37.5 degreesDO NOT put any water in the incubator until day 19 and stop turning the eggs.When you do put the water in on day 19 do it as quickly as possible and use water that is around 37- 40 degrees in temperature.If your incubator has a lid do not take it off completely when adding the water, try not to let any heat or humidity out at all.Once you have added the water on day 19, do not be tempted to open the incubator again until at least day 23 (resist helping a piping egg!), obviously you will need to open it to remove “fluffed up” chicks but again try and keep things inside the incubator constant to maximise your hatch rate.The reason we set Ixworth eggs in low humidity levels is that Ixworth chicks tend to develop in size too big for the egg and cannot turn their heads enough to use the cutting tooth on their beaks to break through the tough membrane and outer shell. Thus perfectly formed and healthy chicks die inside the egg because they cannot start to pip the shell. If set initially in low humidity then the chicks tend to be smaller which gives them a better chance of breaking out of their shells.
We have found that this tried and tested method of incubation works best for Ixworth’s and is used by the most successful breeders of these magnificent birds.
The Breed
The all white Ixworth was created by Reginald Appleyard in the 1930’s, taking its name from the village of Ixworth in Suffolk where he lived. Appleyard set out to make a breed which was a first class, quick maturing table breed which could also give worthwhile egg production and he succeeded!
Breeds used to produce the Ixworth were white Sussex, white Orpington, white Minorca, Jubilee and Indian Game. After keeping Ixworth’s for a number of years now we can confirm the Ixworth is an excellent table bird (Tasting is believing!) and has a very good egg laying capability (Cream coloured eggs).
For more information on this fantastic rare breed Google “Ixworth Chickens” and see for yourself!
Meadowgate Ixworths
We don't have a large breeding flock and one real rare breeder uses our Ixworth stock as a Breeding Bank, which can effect availability of the birds for selling.
Ixworths are the main chickens we breed, we try to keep the website as upto date as we can but availability of our Ixworths changes from day to day, please email us for further information on whats available at the moment.
Please remember we only do this as a hobby, it's not our real jobs!
If you are considering buying some day old chicks from us, but have never kept them before check out our "Chicken Care" page which will give you tips and advice on caring for chicks.
Please note: We do not take reservations for hens but can add you to our mailing list and let you know by email when the hens you require are available.
NEXT HATCHING DATE
TBC
