California Gray

The California Gray is an American breed of domestic chicken. It was developed in California in the 1930s by James Dryden, a professor of poultry science at Oregon Agricultural College, now Oregon State University. His aim was to produce a dual-purpose chicken that was both suitable for meat production and laid large white eggs. By crossing a Barred Plymouth Rock rooster and a White Leghorn hen, a naturally autosexing breed with gray barred plumage (as adults) was produced. Largely because the breed was never recognized officially for exhibition by the American Poultry Association, California Grays are a rare breed in the 21st century.[2] It is not listed on the conservation priority list of the Livestock Conservancy.[4]

California Gray
Other namesproduction black[1]
Country of originUnited States
Traits
Weight
  • Male:
    2.5 kg (5.5 lb)[2]
  • Female:
    2.0 kg (4.4 lb)[2]
Egg colorwhite
Classification
APAnot listed[3]

The California Gray is not sought by commercial factory egg producers since it is too large for battery cages. California Gray cocks are crossed with White Leghorn hens to produce the California White commercial sex-link hybrid, and may be known as "production black".[1]

References
  1. Gail Damerow (2012). The Chicken Encyclopedia: An Illustrated Reference. North Adams, MA: Storey Publishing. ISBN 9781603425612. p. 47.
  2. Carol Ekarius (2007). Storeys Illustrated Guide to Poultry Breeds. North Adams, MA: Storey Publishing. ISBN 9781580176682. p. 47.
  3. APA Recognized Breeds and Varieties: As of January 1, 2012. American Poultry Association. Archived 4 November 2017.
  4. Conservation Priority List. The Livestock Conservancy. Accessed August 2014.


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