Day Old Saipan Jungle Fowl Baby Chicks
Hatching February to August.
Saipan Jungle Fowl contribute beauty and rarity to the poultry fancy. Those interested in raising birds that have an unusual appearance, but who are not in a hurry to see them mature, should consider this unusual and interesting breed.
Saipan Jungle Fowl are rare. It is not a common breed, and these birds are not always easily available. For many years in the United States they were bred by only one person, BW Saylor. He began with five baby chicks in 1945, and continued to breed and study the Saipan Jungle Fowl for the next 30+ years. In 1977, Saylor published an article titled The Saipan Jungle Fowl, detailing his experience with the breed.
Saipan Jungle Fowl are slow to mature; it takes 3 years for them to reach full maturity. Generally, Saipan Jungle Fowl hens lay fewer eggs than other breeds, which also contributes to their rarity.
Saipan Jungle Fowl are not native to Saipan, nor are they true Jungle Fowl. These beautiful birds were brought to the United States by BW Saylor shortly after World War II, from the island of Saipan in the South Pacific. No one is sure where the breed originated, though. The American Poultry Association Standard of Perfection does not accept Saipan Jungle Fowl so they cannot win poultry shows.
There are multiple theories regarding where Saipan Jungle Fowl originated. Saylor observed both domesticated and wild birds while on Saipan. Some people believe that the birds were brought to the island by its original human inhabitants, but others think they were brought by the Japanese at a much later date. Interestingly, the breed no longer exists on the island of Saipan.
Saylor contends in his article that Saipans have better hearing than other breeds, and anecdotal reports from others seem to confirm the observation. Whether or not that is true, they are extremely alert birds. Other characteristics include the lack of a wattle, a simple dewlap and either a flat comb or a pea comb.
Males are red with black breasts and tails, with the tail being shorter than many other breeds. Hens are reddish brown and lay brown eggs.
Livestock Conservancy Status
Because they are not recognized by American Poultry Association, Saipan Jungle Fowl are not very commonly kept as exhibition birds. Hatcheries do carry them but generally do sell out quickly because of the demand for them is higher than what is available. High quality birds can be difficult to obtain.
The most outstanding quality of Saipan Jungle Fowl is their sheer size. Fully grown, they stand between two and three feet tall. Their size is made even more noticeable by the fact they stand upright, with a vertical carriage. Saylor theorized the breed evolved on the plains, looking out over the grass for predators. His theory accounts for both the breed's upright stance and also the fact they have unusually long necks.
Weights: Rooster 9-13 lbs, Hen 8-9 lbs, Cockerel 8 lbs, Pullet 6 lbs
American Poultry Association Class: Not Recognized
Livestock Conservancy Status: Of no concern