17-613: The Robusta Lionata is a modern Italian breed of dual-purpose chicken originating in the city of Rovigo in the Veneto region of north-eastern Italy. It was created between 1959 and 1965, by cross-breeding Buff Orpingtons with the commercial strain known in Italy as "White America". The Robusta Lionata was created between 1959 and 1965 at the Stazione Sperimentale di Pollicoltura, or experimental chicken breeding centre, of Rovigo , in
34-587: A breed. A standard for the Robusta Lionata was published by the now defunct Associazione Nazionale Allevatori Specie Avicole, or national association of breeders of avian species, in the latter part of the twentieth century, and is published for historic interest on the website of the Federazione Italiana Associazioni Avicole, the federation of Italian poultry associations, the authority governing poultry breeding in Italy. In early 2012,
51-754: A unique appearance. However, distinct breeds are the result of selective breeding to emphasize certain traits. Any breed may be used for general agricultural purposes, and all breeds are shown to some degree. But each chicken breed is known for a primary use. Many breeds were selected and are used primarily for producing eggs , these are mostly light-weight birds whose hens do not go broody often. Most farms and homesteads use dual-purpose breeds for meat production. Some breeds are raised mainly for meat: The generalist breeds used in barnyards worldwide are adaptable utility birds good at producing both meat and eggs. Though some may be slightly better for one of these purposes, they are usually called dual-purpose breeds. Since
68-522: Is a dual-purpose breed. Hens lay 160–170 eggs per year; the eggs are salmon-coloured and weigh 55 g or more. In meat production, birds reach a slaughter weight of some 1.9–2.0 kg in four months. Cross-breeding Robusta Lionata cocks with Barred Plymouth Rock hens produces an auto-sexing first-generation hybrid. List of chicken breeds There are hundreds of chicken breeds in existence. Domesticated for thousands of years, distinguishable breeds of chicken have been present since
85-670: Is the oldest poultry fancy breed standard in the world. It is published by the Poultry Club of Great Britain and is the official reference standard used by judges at poultry shows within the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. The standard was first published in 1865 by the original Poultry Club of Great Britain, a club which existed for only three years. It was entitled The standard of excellence in Exhibition Poultry and
102-526: The Veneto . It was conceived as a dual-purpose breed, and derived from crossing the Buff Orpington with a commercial strain widely raised in Veneto in the twentieth century, known in Italy as "White America". The White America is believed to have been based on mutant white Barnevelders , with contributions from White Leghorn , Rhode Island White and White Rock stock; in early 2012 it was no longer considered
119-413: The 19th century, poultry fancy , the breeding and competitive exhibition of poultry as a hobby, has grown to be a huge influence on chicken breeds. Many breeds have always been kept for ornamental purposes, and others have been shifted from their original use to become first and foremost exhibition fowl, even if they may retain some inherent utility. Since the sport of cockfighting has been outlawed in
136-686: The 21st century, chickens are frequently bred according to predetermined breed standards set down by governing organizations. The first of such standards was the British Poultry Standard , which is still in publication today. Other standards include the Standard of Perfection , the Australian Poultry Standard , and the standard of the American Bantam Association, which deals exclusively with bantam fowl. Only some of
153-725: The breed was not officially recognised by the FIAV. Together with the Pépoi , the Ermellinata di Rovigo , the Robusta Maculata and the Padovana , the Robusta Lionata is one of the five chicken breeds included in the CO.VA. project of Veneto Agricultura, the regional administration for agriculture of the Veneto. The project includes among its aims the conservation of local avian species of limited distribution, and
170-515: The combined factors of geographical isolation and selection for desired characteristics created regional types with distinct physical and behavioral traits passed on to their offspring. The physical traits used to distinguish chicken breeds are size, plumage color, comb type, skin color, number of toes, amount of feathering, egg color, and place of origin. They are also roughly divided by primary use, whether for eggs, meat, or ornamental purposes, and with some considered to be dual-purpose. In
187-467: The conservation of genetic resources and biodiversity, and has published a detailed description of the breed. Breed numbers remain low. A study published in 2007 used a figure of approximately 700 for the total breeding stock, of which approximately 200 were cocks. The Robusta Lionata broadly resembles a Buff Orpington, with the difference that it has yellow skin and legs, which are traditionally preferred by Italian consumers of chicken meat. According to
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#1732876879416204-539: The definition of a breed . Most crossbreed strains are sex linked , allowing for easy chick sexing . Roberts, Victoria (2008). British Poultry Standards . Oxford, UK: Blackwell. ISBN 9781405156424 . Complete specifications and judging points of all standardized breeds and varieties of poultry as compiled by the specialist breed clubs and recognised by the Poultry Club of Great Britain. British Poultry Standard The British Poultry Standard
221-440: The developed world, most breeds first developed for this purpose, called game fowl, are now seen principally in the show ring rather than the cock pit as fighting cocks . denotes a breed primarily used for exhibition, but which is still used for utility purposes. denotes a game breed. Most large chicken breeds have a bantam counterpart, sometimes referred to as a miniature . Miniatures are usually one-fifth to one-quarter
238-1336: The known breeds are included in these publications, and only those breeds are eligible to be shown competitively. There are additionally a few hybrid strains which are common in the poultry world, especially in large poultry farms. These types are first generation crosses of true breeds. Hybrids do not reliably pass on their features to their offspring, but are highly valued for their producing abilities. By place of origin : Afghanistan • Albania • Australia • Austria • Belgium • Brazil • Bulgaria • Canada • Chile • China • Croatia • Cuba • Czech Republic • Egypt • Finland • France • Germany • Greece • Iceland • India • Indonesia • Iran • Italy • Japan • Korea • Kosovo • Malaysia • Myanmar • Netherlands • Norway • Pakistan • Philippines • Poland • Portugal • Romania • Russia • Serbia • Slovakia • Slovenia • South Africa • Spain • Sweden • Switzerland • Thailand • Turkey • Ukraine • United Kingdom • United States • Vietnam By primary use : Eggs • Meat • Dual-purpose • Exhibition Other : Bantams • Hybrids See also • References • Sources All chickens lay eggs , have edible meat , and possess
255-468: The old ANSAV standard, the Robusta Lionata is a warm buff colour. The tail and wing-tips are black with dark green lights. The skin and legs are yellow, the ear-lobes are red. The comb is single and medium-large, with five or six points. Average weight is 3.8–4.2 kg for cocks, 2.8–3.0 kg for hens. The more recent description by Veneto Agricultura gives greater weights: 4.0–4.5 kg for cocks and 2.8–3.3 kg for hens. The Robusta Lionata
272-438: The size of the standard breed, but they are expected to exhibit all of the standard breed's characteristics. A true bantam has no large counterpart, and is naturally small. The true bantams include: Many common strains of crossbred chickens exist, but none breed true or are recognized by poultry breed standards ; thus, though they are extremely common in flocks focusing on high productivity, crossbreeds do not technically meet
289-451: Was edited by William Bernhardt Tegetmeier . It was the first publication of its kind. The compilation of the standard was then taken over by the second, current Poultry Club of Great Britain . The number of editions of the standard that have been published is uncertain, as each successive publisher that has been used by the Poultry Club of Great Britain has started again with a first edition. The edition published in 2019 by Wiley-Blackwell
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