Teri J's Javas

Why I started raising Javas

My name is Teri Johnson. I am retired and live in Virginia. I’ve always wanted chickens.  I raised broilers for Tyson Foods for a couple of years. It was heartbreaking and that experience solidified my desire to raise birds in a more humane way. Some of my best memories are with my grandparents and their chickens. When my partner and I moved to a rural area in Virginia we decided it was time for me to have my own little flock.  

Jim Ward's Brief History of the Java Chicken Breed

As a Black Java chicken breeder, I have spent a lot of time thinking about the history of Javas and other chickens during the past six years. I thought that I would share a few of my insights to see what the larger poultry community thinks, keeping in mind that they are conjectures and not established facts. It is a travesty to me that the Java chicken breed is not more widely known given the prominent role it played in the development of so many modern chicken breeds. I can’t image the tragedy that it would have been if Duane Urch, the Garfield Farm and a few others hadn’t kept this important foundational breed going in the late 1980’s and 90’s before its current resurgence.

Poultry Shows 2012

Planning on showing Javas this year? I have started a list of shows and if I have missed one email me at carondesign@yahoo.com to have a show added. Send pictures and details of Javas at shows you attend to share with others.

ALBC Java Recovery Project

Mottled Java Chick

From Steve Moize  of the ALBC:  

Just wanted to share an update on the ALBC Java Recovery Project, it has been a great 2011 season and we are ready for an even better 2012...

Happy New Year folks,

Java Winners from The Crossroads Show

Black Java Bantam male at Crossroads (photos by Jim Ward)

I am posting the pictures of the Java winners at the Crossroads of America Poultry Show held in Indianapolis this past Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. There were an amazing 10,276 entries at the Crossroads show this year. There were four exhibitors that showed 25 Black Javas, 7 Mottled Javas, and 14 Bantam Black Javas. That's right! Longtime Java breeder Monte Bowen has been developing a strain of bantam Black Javas for the past ten years and he chose the Crossroads show to reveal his creations. He started by crossing a standard black java cockerel and a black rock bantam pullet. His bantams are still about a pound too heavy but they have good type and are improving year by year. Monte Bowen also had the best and reserve variety standard mottled Javas. Moore Farms of Arkansas had best and reserve of breed with their black java pullets.  Jim Ward donated a pair of his Black Javas and also a pair of Dominiques to the APA/ABA Youth club raffle which was also a success--Jim also took the time to take these pictures and to get this story. Thanks to all the exhibitors and to Jim Ward for his donation. Donating birds to our youth and getting them interested in poultry is what keeps this hobby alive. A big huge thank you to Monte Bowen for his endeavor in creating the Java bantams. I wonder if he has a secret Mottled Java Project?

Black Java Bantam pullet (photos by Jim Ward)

Best of Breed LF Black Java pullet owned by Moore Farms

Reserve of Breed LF Black Java pullet owned by Moore Farms

Best of Variety Mottled Java pullet owned by Monte Bowen

Animal Disease Traceability

On August 9, 2011, USDA issued a proposed rule to establish general regulations for improving the traceability of U.S. livestock moving interstate when animal disease events take place.

Washington County Fair

courtesy of Dawn

 August is fair time, and small county fairs are a great place to show poultry.  We live in an increasingly suburban county just east of the Twin Cities in Minnesota, but the Washington County Fair is a popular event and celebration of agriculture every summer.  We bought day-old Black Javas from Duane Urch over a year and a half ago, so now have a small flock of various ages.  Along with his 4H events, our 15 year-old son entered his Javas in open division – an old breeding trio, a young breeding trio and hen with chicks. The chicks were a big hit and so cute at only four days old.   Many people asked about backyard coops as more communities permit chickens in the city.  It gave us a chance to promote the Java as a friendly, hardworking breed who can dependably provide breakfast year round.