The Auburn Java – Past & Present

The Auburn Java – Past & Present

The Auburn (or Red) Java was mentioned in early chicken literature and it seems its greatest claim to fame was being one of the parent breeds of the Rhode Island Red.  Janet Vorwald Dohner in an article dated July 2010 in “Mother Earth News” states:  “The Rhode Island Red was developed not by fanciers but by poultry farmers in the area of Little Compton, Rhode Island beginning about 1830.  The Rhode Island Red is widely considered to be the most successful dual-purpose breed in North America.  Because of its good production and other useful traits, the Rhode Island Red was one of the most successful and widespread farm flock birds for many years.” To finish reading this please click here.

The Java Fowl

Pacific Poultry Craft  October, 1926

The Java Fowl by V. C. Augustine, Pomona, CA

Java research by Glenis Marsh

In my discussion of the Java Fowl, I shall endeavor first to take the reader back over some of the earlier history of this very interesting breed-back when American poultry culture was in it's infancy and the old Dominique the only representation of American breeds.  The breeders and fanciers of those days satisfied themselves with the breeding of foreign fowls--the Asatics, Mediteranean and European breeds.  It was with these breeds as foundation stock that the early American fancier and breeder began the building of the American breeds which have been developed to such high state of perfection today.

Dr. W. H. Harwood

Dr. W. H. Harwood - Bit of Java History

by Glenis Marsh

His name was Watson H. Harwood M.D. of Chasm Falls (Malone) New York, Physician there for 52 years, Born: June 18, 1854-December 22, 1934. Information on Dr. W. H. Harwood is quite extensive since he appeared in the local news paper on a regular basis.  There are multiple articles confirming he was a Coroner, Physician, Chairman of the County Committe of Prohibition and Author.  Besides all of this, he Bred and showed multiple breeds of chickens and was the President of the American Java Association, the Proprietor of and on the Executive Committee of The National American Dominique Club and Columbian Wyandot Club.  Anyone who lived in Chasm Falls (Malone) New York would have known him or of him.

The Java Manhatten Project

photo courtesy of Garfield farms

by Garfield Farms

When visitors see the Black Java chickens busily scratching and strutting around the barnyard, they probably assume that taking care of them is simply a matter of tossing them chicken feed and filling their water bowls. That is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the museum’s involvement. Behind the scenes, there is a major conservation effort to help preserve this rare and magnificent fowl.

read more here

Champion Your Rare Breed Livestock or Poultry at Garfield Farm

Courtesy Lyle Behl

CAMPTON HILLS, IL: Rare breed owners need to register now for Garfield Farm Museum's 26th Annual Rare Breeds Livestock & Poultry Show and Sale on Sunday May 20th from 11am - 4pm.

The show highlights the need to preserve rare domesticated animals from extinction. It also provides Rare Breed enthusiasts with an opportunity to show off their favorite animals to the general publicand to interact with other exhibitors and prospective buyers.

Individuals who would like to display their animals at the show can contact the museum at 630-584-8485 or info@garfieldfarm.org for registration information. There are no registration fees for exhibitors.  Garfield Farm Museum is located five miles west of Geneva, IL off ILL Route 38 on Garfield Road. You can also visit them online.

Garfield Farm Inn and Museum

What You'll Find at Garfield Farm Museum

photo of the beautiful Garfield Farms

The museum offers a variety of educational, family, and entertainment events. Seminars are held on such topics as prairie, woodlands, and wetlands management; bat and blue bird box construction; and fruit tree grafting. Specials shows bring rare breed livestock, heirloom garden products and seeds, and collections of antique farm tools. Prairie walks are conducted monthly. And there are social events like barn dances and a candlelight tavern reception at the Inn in December. See the Calendar of Events below for more details.