The Utrerane chicken breed is on the verge of extinction, with only around 500 individual chickens left. They are most commonly used for personal meat consumption, with a few small farms catering to local restaurants. They are not generally used for egg production.
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Utrerana Chicken Breed Quick Info
Utrerana Chicken Description
Utrerana Type/Size: | Standard |
Feather Color: | Black and White, Partridge, White, or Black |
Leg Type: | Clean |
Leg Color: | Slate or White |
Skin Color: | White |
Utrerana Ease of Raising/Keeping: | Easy |
Utrerana Special Care Needs: | No |
Is the Utrerana breed a common, rare, or protected breed of chicken? | Rare, “endangered” status |
Utrerana Use
Meat | Yes |
Eggs | No |
Dual Purpose | No |
Utrerana Temperament: | Active |
Utrerana Ability/Likelihood to Free Range: | Yes |
Utrerana Egg Production
Egg Color | N/A |
Egg Size | N/A |
Estimated Number of Eggs Per Year | 200 |
Likeliness to Brood Eggs/Raise Chicks | Medium |
Utrerana Meat Production
Dressed Weight Male | 5 lbs |
Dressed Weight Female | 3.5 lbs |
Utrerana Climate Tolerance
Heat | Good |
Cold | Moderate |
Utrerana Age to Maturity
Number of Months to Reach Full Size | 6-7 Months |
Number of Months to Start Egg Laying | 6 Months |
Number of Weeks/Months to Reach Meat Harvest Size | 6-7 Months |
Utrerana Size at Maturity
Male | 7 lbs |
Female | 5 lbs |
Origins of Utrerana Chicken
Indigenous to the Andalusian region of Northern Spain, the Utrerana chicken dates back hundreds of years. They were created for egg production but were overtaken as industrial fowl became more popular in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Some Things to Know About Utrerana Chicken
Roosters of this breed are slender in appearance and slow growing. They have also been described as rustic.
Both roosters and hens have white ears, large feet, and a large comb. They have webbed feet that are gray or slate in color. The four main colors that you’ll find Utrerana chickens in are black, white, partridge, and franciscan (black and white).
How Easy is it to Keep Utrerana Chickens?
Like all Mediterranean chicken breeds, the Utrerana does better in the heat than in the cold. They are bred to be free range and spend their time foraging for food.
They have an active, aloof temperament and do not excel as pet chickens.
Special Care and Considerations for Utrerana Chickens
Like all chicken with large single combs, there is a risk for frostbite in the wintertime. You can use a swipe of vaseline to protect their comb and wattles from freezing in low temperatures.
To allow for the best meat quality, this breed should be free range, feeding on worms, grass, and insects, with additional grains. They should be kept at 5.5 lbs for five to six months because it improves the nutrition and taste of their meat.