 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2024) |
 Maltese Black hen | |
| Conservation status | critically endangered |
|---|---|
| Nicknames | Tiġieġa s-Sewda |
| Country of origin | Malta |
| Use | dual-purpose, eggs and meat |
| Traits | |
| Weight |
|
| Skin colour | white |
| Egg colour | chalk-white |
| Comb type | single |
| Classification | |
| PCGB | light, soft feather |
| |
The Maltese Black is an indigenous Maltese breed developed as a dual-purpose chicken; reared both for its meat and for its eggs. As the breed's name suggests, the recognised colour of this poultry breed is black while the surface plumage has a noticeably lustrous greenish sheen.[1]
History
editThe Maltese Black was developed in 1934 by the Department of Agriculture. The breed was developed from native stock of black feathers, gathered from several farms around Malta and Gozo.[2] The development of the breed was probably influenced by breeds such as the Andalusian and the black Leghorn, and also by the Minorca.
The breed standard for the Maltese Black was eventually drawn up and first presented in 1950.[3]
Characteristics
editThe Maltese Black chicken has a rather long, moderately broad, slightly sloping back; a straight breastbone and wide shoulders. The tail is held at a 45 degree angle from the body. The eyes are amber red in colour. The comb is single and the earlobes are round and white.[4]
Use
editThe Maltese Black was traditionally reared by rural families as a rustic breed for meat production and eggs. Up to the 1960 it was kept for this purpose, until it was replaced by commercially imported hybrid lines. Hens can lay up to 200 eggs per year. The Maltese Black is also reared for showing.[5]
Conservation
editIn 2024, Breeds of Origin Conservancy, a Maltese voluntary organization, initiated in-situ conservation breeding strategies on several farms in Malta and Gozo in order to recover the potential of the Maltese Black chicken and safeguard the breed from extinction.
Farms participating in the conservation of this breed include the Tulliera Farm in Delimara, Ta’ Gużman Farm in Siġġiewi and the Government Experimental Farm within the Ministry for Gozo and Planning in Gozo, amongst others.[6]
References
edit- ^ "How did the Maltese Black become indigenous to Malta?".
- ^ Cesareo, J. (1950). "The Maltese Black Breed". World’s Poultry Science Journal. 6(4): 277-278. doi:10.1079/WPS19500041.
- ^ "Origin and complete breed standard of Maltese Black breed". World’s Poultry Science Journal. 70(2): 385–396. 2014. doi:10.1017/S0043933914000397.
- ^ Cesareo, J. (1950). "The Maltese Black Breed". World’s Poultry Science Journal. 6(4): 277-278. doi:10.1079/WPS19500041.
- ^ "Origin and complete breed standard of Maltese Black breed". World’s Poultry Science Journal. 70(2): 385–396. 2014. doi:10.1017/S0043933914000397.
- ^ "Farmers hope to reverse extinction risk of Maltese Black chicken".