Have you ever heard of a chicken nicknamed the “Eggs Machine“? California Tan chicken is on the list of top chickens that lay the most eggs per year. A breed with a high egg production rate is hard to find, but not now.
We will completely examine these chickens and collect more facts about them.
What Is A California Tan Chicken?
California Tan Chicken is a dual-purpose breed that was developed in California in the early 1900s for both meat and egg production. This breed of chicken is a native to the United States.
California Tan chicken is not a breed, it is a hybrid between White Leghorns and Production Reds (Rhode Island Reds) which is carefully cross-bred.
They are friendly and docile, they are fully white birds, with black flecks, and red highlights – visually captivating. The purpose of creating these chicken breeds is to combine high egg production rates, hardiness, and temperament from its parents.
Production Reds (The Rhode Island Red), well known for dual purpose, lay around 270 eggs per year. White Leghorn is a purebred, laying around 280 eggs per year. Crossing of them gives us California Tan chicken.
California Tan chickens are adaptable to any climate or environmental conditions, even if you live in extreme temperature areas, the productivity and egg-laying capability will not be affected.
Characteristics Of California Tan Chickens
Here are some of the unique characteristics of California Tan Chicken!
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Physical Appearance
California Tan Chicken has various colors of unique variations in their overall white plumage. They have a light tan color (white feathers), with black flecks. They have round bodies with short necks.
There is a brownish texture on some parts of California Tan Chicken, which gives an aesthetic look to their appearance. With a unique single-type comb that is bright red and wattle, the legs are short and stout and their feet are yellow.
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Temperament
Thanks to the docile and friendly Leghorn heritage, which gives us California Tan Chicken. California Tan Chicken are friendly, docile, and calm which makes them perfect for families with children.
It’s important to house these chickens in a calm, peaceful environment and gentle breeds because they are weak to bullying by aggressive birds.
They are active birds and good foragers exploring the environment all the time. Never let them free because they fly well or set up a good fence so they don’t go out. One rooster is important for every ten hens, as you know roosters are feisty they will protect their friends.
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Weight and Body Structure
California Tan chicken are medium size birds, which is a positive point for beginners to raise them. The average weight of a California Tan Hen is around 4-6 pounds, while the California Tan Rooster weighs around 6-8 pounds.
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Breed Standard
Their medium size, unique qualities, and high egg production rate make them a recognized standard breed. California Tan Chicken is a hybrid and if you want California Tan chicks the only way to achieve this is to breed Production Red chicken with a White Leghorn chicken
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Egg Production
Its extremely high egg production ability makes it popular in the poultry industry. This unique quality meets them from their parent’s Production Red and White Leghorns.
At the age of 17 weeks (3.9 months), California Tan Chicken begin laying eggs, at first their eggs are small in size but gradually they grow larger when California Tan Chicken grows.
California Tan Chicken lays around 300 eggs per year, which is brown, light brown, tinted, or tan. And In their lifetime they lay around 700 eggs.
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Hardiness
California Tan chicken are hairy birds, they can thrive in any climate and environmental conditions. Cold or Hot temperatures do not affect their health and their eggs’ laying capabilities, they will lay eggs all year.
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Popularity
They are very popular in the poultry industry and the hearts of chicken enthusiasts. They are well known for their fully white color, hardiness, resistance to disease, and egg-laying capabilities.
These chickens are also used for their high-quality meat sometimes, which makes them a dual purpose. Overall these chickens are perfect for any individuals who want to keep chicken for dual purpose (meat and eggs) and don’t want to take special care of them.
Difference Between California Tan Rooster and California Tan Hen
The difference between the California Tan Hen and the California Tan Rooster is not that much regarding their plumage. Sometimes Hens and Roosters have white feathers with some black flecks on their plumage.
With a unique single-type comb that is bright red and wattle, the legs are short and stout and their feet are yellow. There is not much difference in their feathers, but there is some distinctive difference that makes Hens and Roosters separate from each other.
California Tan Hen weighs between 4-6 pounds and has a thin body, while California Tan Rooster weighs between 6-8 pounds and is broader and muscular.
You can easily tell the difference between Hens and Rooster chickens just by looking at their tail feathers. Roosters have long tail feathers that gracefully point upwards, while hens have shorter feathers that point backward.
It’s a fascinating sight to behold, and you’ll surely impress your friends with this little-known chicken fact. Lastly, the California Tan Rooster is aggressive which makes them a protector of the flock from predators and any other threats.
Can I breed California Tan Chicken?
California Tan Chicken are not broody, you can’t create California Tan chicks by breeding California Tan chicken. And this is the specialty of the hybrid breed, their parents are not the same, which makes them a unique and quality breed.
Breeding California Tan chickens is rare, only a few hatcheries will provide them. Now if you want California Tan chicks, the only way to get this is to breed Production Red with a White Leghorn.
Apart from this, you will get a completely different breed with different characteristics.
Care for California Tan Chicken
To raise and keep California Tan chickens you will need to take proper care of them so that they live their life happily and strongly.
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Coop Setup
They are medium-sized but busy birds, they don’t need ample space in their coop but need large or ample space out of the coop so they can move and search for food easily.
Provide a well-created and well-ventilated and also predator-proof coop or house so they live their life comfortably. A space which is about 4 square feet per chicken in the coop, and the nesting box should be 12×12, this is enough for them.
Provide 8 inches of roost per bird for adequate space to roost comfortably throughout the year.
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Health Issues
California Tan chicken are showing resistance to many diseases and are hardy birds that thrive in any climates and environmental conditions, but like all chickens, they fall ill sometimes.
Common problems in these chickens are parasites such as mites and lice, and they will be prevented by regular checking and treating them.
Regularly check signs of other diseases like Avian Influenza, Fowl Pox, Pullorum, etc, and show them to a veterinarian for treatment. Sometimes California Tan chickens have egg laying problems, and this can happen when they don’t get enough care.
Some hens can experience a disorder called a prolapsed vent, notably if they are high in weight. Such issues can be solved by a good diet, a diet with vitamins, minerals, and protein.
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Feed Requirements
Like all birds, they also need balanced and well-nutrient feed to stay healthy, and productive and don’t stop laying eggs. Provide well-formulated feed that is specially made for chickens, and contains good nutrients like proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates, minerals, etc.
Ensure to give Oyster Shell, which fulfills their calcium needs and strengthens their eggshells. They are also searching for food on their own mostly. Provide clean and fresh water daily, adding fruits (watermelon, mangoes etc) and vegetables (broccoli, cucumber etc) to their diet.
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Eating Habits
California Tan chickens are good foragers, they love to explore their environment, and that’s why they do not depend all on you to feed them. They also are light eaters, therefore they are perfect for beginners or ones who don’t buy a lot of food for chickens.
California Tan chicken will eat both (plants and small animals) like plant seeds and insects etc. It’s recommended to feed them twice a day (morning and evening).
Advantages and Disadvantages of Raising California Tan
Advantages
- Give a Lot of Eggs
- Live Well in Both Hot and Cold Weather
- Eggs are also Large
- Not Hard to Raise
- Good Foragers
- Calm Birds
- Along Well with Other Breeds
Disadvantages
- Not Suitable for Meat Production
- They are Not Broody
Is Raising California Tan Chickens Good for Beginners?
Here are some of the unique characteristics of California Tan chicken that make them good for beginners or novices.
- Egg Production
First is First. They are excellent egg layers, laying around 300 eggs a year.
- Hardiness
Their bodies fight diseases naturally. It’s fascinating how they fight off illnesses.
- Easy to Care
These chickens are easy to care for and do not require any special care and special attention all the time.
- Adaptability
They can live easily in any climate or environmental conditions.
- Good foragers
Also they are good foragers and love to explore their environment for food.
Final Thoughts
California Tan Chicken is well known for their eggs-laying capabilities, hardiness, and uniqueness.
You can’t get California Tan chicks from California Tan chickens the only way to get California Tan Chicks is to breed Production Red with a White Leghorn.
They are a perfect choice for beginners or novices as they don’t want special attention all the time.
Now, if you have any queries about this just ask in the comment below we would love to help you.
FAQs
Are California Tan chickens aggressive?
No, they are not aggressive; they are calm and docile birds, while California Tan Roosters are a little bit aggressive.
How many eggs does California Tan chicken lay?
On average California Tan chicken lays 300 eggs per year.
Can I breed California Tan Chicken for California Tan Chicks?
You can but you will not get California Tan Chicks but a different breed. The only way to get California Tan Chicks is to breed Production Red with a White Leghorn.
At what age do California Tan hens start laying eggs?
California Tan Hens start laying eggs at the age of 17 weeks (3.9 months).
Is California Tan Chicken easy to care for?
Yes, they are easy to care for and do not require special care all the time.
Is California Tan Chicken good for beginners?
Yes, in my opinion, they are good for beginners or novices because they are easy to care for and their adaptability, their hardness make them perfect for beginners.
How long does California Tan chicken live?
Their lifespan depends on various factors such as nutrition, caring, environment, safety from predators, etc. They can live between 5-8 years.
What color of eggs does California tan chicken lay?
The color of California Tan chicken is brown, light brown, tinted, or tan.
Are California tan chicken-friendly?
Yes, they are friendly and docile and love to play with humans, even children.
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