California Gray
 | |
| Other names | production black[1] |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | United States |
| Traits | |
| Weight | |
| Egg color | white |
| Classification | |
| APA | not listed[3] |
| |
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.[citation needed] 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]
The California Gray is not sought by commercial factory egg producers since it is too large for battery cages.[citation needed] 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
- ^ a b Gail Damerow (2012). The Chicken Encyclopedia: An Illustrated Reference. North Adams, MA: Storey Publishing. ISBN 9781603425612. p. 47.
- ^ a b c Carol Ekarius (2007). Storeys Illustrated Guide to Poultry Breeds. North Adams, MA: Storey Publishing. ISBN 9781580176682. p. 47.
- ^ APA Recognized Breeds and Varieties: As of January 1, 2012. American Poultry Association. Archived 4 November 2017.
- ^ Conservation Priority List. The Livestock Conservancy. Accessed August 2014.
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