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Conservation status | DAD-IS (2021): at risk [1] |
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Other names | Mugginese |
Country of origin | Italy |
Distribution | Tuscany |
Traits | |
Weight |
|
Skin colour | white |
Egg colour | ivory white |
Comb type | single |
Classification | |
APA | no [2] |
EE | no [3] |
PCGB | no [4] |
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The Mugellese, also known as Mugginese, is a rustic dual-purpose breed of small chicken or bantam from Tuscany, in central Italy. It takes its name from the historic Mugello region to the north-east of Florence. It is not officially recognised as a breed in Italy, but is being considered for recognition.
The Mugellese is named after the Mugello, a historic and rural region which extends to the north-east of Florence and which traditionally corresponds with the comuni of Barberino di Mugello, Borgo San Lorenzo, Dicomano, San Piero a Sieve, Scarperia, Vaglia and Vicchio. It is one of the few bantam breeds in Italy, others being the Mericanel della Brianza and the Pépoi.
The Mugellese is a traditional chicken breed of Tuscany, of uncertain origins. It was once extensively kept not only in the Tuscan countryside, but also in the gardens or on the balconies of town houses, perhaps as a pet. It was traditional for grandparents to give a pair of Mugellesi to a child who had reached an age to care for them. [5] Once very common, it became rare in the second half of the twentieth century; [6] it is now in a phase of recovery, selection and improvement. [5]
In early 2012, the Mugellese was not officially recognised by the Federazione Italiana Associazioni Avicole, but was under consideration. [7] A draft standard had been prepared, but not yet approved. [6]
The colouring of the Mugellese is dark golden (partridge); hens may also be wheaten buff. The skin is white and legs are pale or flesh-coloured. The comb is single, with 4–6 points. The ear-lobes range from red to white; the latter is preferred. Average weight is 0.8 kg (1.8 lb) for cocks, 0.7 kg (1.5 lb) for hens. The eggs are small and ivory-white. [6] [5]
The Mugellese is an active and lively breed. Although small, cocks are highly aggressive towards other cocks. Hens are good sitters, and may sit almost year-round. In the past, capons were often used to care for hatchlings. Birds are robust and resistant to heat and cold, and can be kept in the open all year. If allowed to, they roost in trees. [5]
The Leghorn, Italian: Livorno or Livornese, is a breed of chicken originating in Tuscany, in central Italy. Birds were first exported to North America in 1828 from the Tuscan port city of Livorno, on the western coast of Italy. They were initially called "Italians", but by 1865 the breed was known as "Leghorn", the traditional anglicisation of "Livorno". The breed was introduced to Britain from the United States in 1870. White Leghorns are commonly used as layer chickens in many countries of the world. Other Leghorn varieties are less common.
The Braekel or Brakel is a traditional Belgian breed of chicken. It is thought to have originated in the area of Brakel, in the Flemish province of East Flanders, for which it is named. There is a bantam version of the Braekel. The Campine of the United Kingdom derives from it.
The Brahma is an American breed of chicken. It was bred in the United States from birds imported from the Chinese port of Shanghai, and was the principal American meat breed from the 1850s until about 1930.
The Ancona is a breed of chicken which originated in the Marches, region of Italy, but which was bred to its present type mainly in the United Kingdom in the nineteenth century. It is named after the city of Ancona, capital of the Marche. It is popular in Britain and the United States, but uncommon in Italy; an initiative to re-establish it in its native area and preserve its biodiversity was launched in 2000. There are also Ancona bantams.
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The Ermellinata di Rovigo is a modern Italian breed of dual-purpose chicken. It originates in the city of Rovigo in the Veneto region of north-eastern Italy, from which it takes its name. It was created between 1959 and 1965, principally from Sussex and Rhode Island Red parentage.
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 Maculata is a modern Italian dual-purpose breed of chicken. It originates in the city of Rovigo in the Veneto region of north-eastern Italy, where it was created between 1959 and 1965 by cross-breeding Buff Orpingtons with the commercial strain known in Italy as "White America".
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