I got to trade one museum for another today as we trekked out to Garfield Farm Museum. MSI and Garfield Farm have been teaming up over the past years to grow the population of Java chickens. Black Javas used to be extremely common in the US but their numbers had dwindled over the years to near extinction. However, with this partnership, MSI is helping to grow the Black Java population and even produced Auburn Javas, a breed that had previously been extinct. How about that? Pretty cool, eh?
I learned all sorts of stuff today. Did you know that fertilized eggs can be put in a refrigerator (not too cold) for a little while to pause the development process? Or that the flap of skin above a turkey's beak is a snood? It can change color and shape depending on the turkey's mood. I also got a refresher in dominant and recessive genes. All this while soaking up some vitamin D on a beautiful day. It already felt weird to leave the museum; I wonder if that means I'm getting used to life inside it. Hmm... interesting,
The coolest thing I did was collect Java eggs to bring back to MSI. The chicks will be ready to hatch in 21 days and I plan to be there to welcome them with open arms (wings?). Secretly, I want them to imprint on me and then follow me around the museum for the rest of my month. But at very least I'll get some pictures with my very own Java chicks. 'Til the 13th!
Here's a video from inside the coop... complete with cockadoodle doos.
Tim Christakos is the MSI Chick Hatchery guru and the driving force behind MSI's work with Javas. Thanks for a great day, Tim!
Incubation time! See you little guys in 21 days.
Check out more farm pics in my (public) Farm Day album on Facebook.
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kevin byrne
A digital marketing analyst from Chicago, Kevin is living inside the largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere for 30 days.
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So where do the chickens go once they outgrow their cute chicken phase? Do they go back to the Garfield farm, are they distributed to other farms to diversify the genetic pool of this species?
Great question, Rita. These chicks will be shipped off to different farms that are also interested in supporting the breed. I'm going to find out from Tim where my batch are going so I can go visit. Well, maybe not visit... but satisfy my curiosity anyway. :-)
Don't forget to check their ears to see what color the eggs will be......I found that bit of info very interesting !!!!! Doesn't take much to entertain me. Lots of love, Your Cuz.....
Kevin President Reveley (W&M) and I will be in Chicago and want to stop by and visit you. This is the only way I have to contact you. Can you contact me to arrange? Sean Pieri Vice President, Development
Hi Sean, That's awesome! Beth from marketing will contact you to figure out scheduling. I'd love to meet President Reveley. Thanks!