A large part of the Cream Legbar’s success in the United States, at least, can be attributed to the color of its eggs.
Few breeds have had their ancestry traced so thoroughly, making this an intriguing study in genetics. The current version of the breed is the result of decades of study, research, and testing, so it wasn’t created overnight.
The temperament of Cream Legbars, whether or not they are a good fit for your flock, the color of their eggs, and more are discussed in this article.
You may also want to read about the best chicken feed.
History of Cream Legbars
The first Cream Crested Legbar was not seen until 1931. Professor R.C. Punnett and Professor Michael Pease of Cambridge, England, are responsible for the discovery and writing of this bird’s backstory.
Prof. Punnett oversaw Cambridge University’s breeding efforts at the Genetic Institute. After Professor Punnett’s retirement, Michael Pease continued to work with him.
His position was taken over by Professor Pease. A famous geneticist named Punnett, who went on to publish many papers on the subject, attempted to create chickens that could automatically determine their own gender.
Renowned horticulturist Clarence Elliott presented Professor Punnett with some South American Araucana chickens he had collected on his travels in 1930. In other words, these hens produced blue eggs.
Once Professor Punnett retired and began working from home, he began breeding these birds with a gold penciled Hamburg. After a series of crossings and recrossings, he finally created a bird with a creamy white plumage.
The Professor’s hens were now a previously unseen color in poultry: cream. The identification of a recessive gene represented a significant advance
In a separate experiment, Professor Pease also noticed the cream hue. After much back-and-forth, the two men were able to successfully breed their birds to create the Cream Legbar.
Appearance
The male Cream Legbar weighs only 7 1/2 pounds and the female only 6 pounds, making it one of the lightest chickens around. Its body is roughly triangular in shape, and its back is long and flat.
They have one red comb with six points and red wattles. Creamy or pure white color is typical for earlobes. Having a yellow-to-horn colored beak and reddish bay eyes. A minor inward curve can be seen at the beak.
Every gender has a crest that must be kept back so as not to obstruct the line of sight. Having a long neck and a full bust. The bird has broad shoulders that tapper into a flat, subtly sloping back.
The tails of males are held at a 45-degree angle, while those of hens are held at a slightly less acute angle. Keep your wings tucked close to your body.
The Cream Legbar’s coloring is a mashup of white and various shades of gray. Men typically have more pronounced barring on their tails and chests. The barring on a woman’s body is much less pronounced, and she might have a hint of salmon in the skin on her neck and breasts.
Yellow legs with four healthy toes are preferred. Their posture is strong and alert. The flesh is similarly colored.
Handling and egg laying
Conflicting opinions have been voiced regarding this bird’s personality. The literature is split on whether or not they are flighty, anxious, and noisy, or if they are tame, social, and easy to work with.
Some of the birds are “production” birds, while others are “purists” and maintain the original standards. Cream Legbars, in general, are sociable, low-maintenance pets.
They have a wild side, though, and hate being locked up because of it.
They have sharp eyes, are alert at all times, and know how to avoid being preyed upon.
During the breeding season, roosters tend to be more combative.
When it comes to laying eggs, Cream Legbars are among the most efficient breeds, laying an average of 230 eggs per year (four eggs per week of a medium size).
While some reports have them brooding, others dispute this. Therefore, the breed you choose will determine how broody they become.
Autosexing ensures that the sexes of newly hatched chicks are clearly differentiated. In both sexes, the female will have a distinct dark stripe down her back, while the male’s stripe will be much fainter. It may be challenging to determine the gender of lower-quality birds.
Are Cream Legbars for you?
Since the Cream Legbar is a foraging breed, it would be great if you could give them some territory to explore. When confined, they may become agitated and restless.
They are easily targeted by predators in a mixed flock and are therefore best kept on their own or with gentler species.
Overall, they don’t require a lot of attention or special care, making them perfect for new bird owners. Since they are not yet recognized by the APA, 4H cannot be used.
Before learning the rooster’s temperament and level of aggression, parents should keep young children away from him, especially during mating season.
This hen might be the one for you if you want something out of the ordinary, a little bit of autonomy, and blue eggs.