Our Chickens
Black Copper Marans have been around since the 1900's and they are a fairly new breed. They are known for their deep chocolate or colored eggs. Marans almost went out of existence after World War Two. Black Copper Marans are gentle and quite, even though roosters have a tendency to be confrontational to other roosters. The roosters though are fairly docile.
The hens lay around 150 to 200 eggs per year. This breed is very winter hardy. Marans are an average layer in quantity, but in quality their eggs are unsurpassed. Some people pay $30 to $60 dollars for quality birds, but hatchery birds are on the cheaper side. These birds are still considered rare in the U.S., but are more popular in their homeland (which is France). |
Ameraucanas are considered a winter hardy dual purpose breed. The beard and muff give the Ameraucana a ' chipmunk like' appearance. There are several colors of the Ameraucana and they are very colorful birds. They were accepted into the American Poultry Association in 1984. Their comb is a pea comb and their wattles are usually very small or non-existent. They lay a wonderful light blue color. They will live around 7-8 years on average.
Ameraucanas came from the Araucana chicken. These chickens are very docile and their appearance gives them a comical look. If you think Easter Eggers and Ameraucanas are the same breed you are mistaken. Easter Eggers are hybrids and Ameraucanas are purebreds. These are still semi-rare birds in the U.S. Ameraucanas lay around 250 eggs per year. |
A small village in France called Favorelles is where the breed Salmon Favorelles originated. This breed was created from a variety of breeds. They were made for the purpose of meat and egg quantity. A mature hen should weigh 6 1/2 lbs and an adult rooster should weigh 8 lbs. They lay around 180 -220 eggs per year. They tolerate confinement, but also enjoy free ranging and the outdoors. They are bearded and have feathered legs. They also carry the five toe trait.
Their bright and colorful feathering are eye candy. Salmon Favorelles are said to be the peacock of the poultry world for their extraordinary coloring. They are wonderful birds and love to chat. They are docile and gentle and are often at the bottom of the pecking order. They are great with kids. They are on the Livestock Conservancy's threatened list. |
When it was brought to England by the Romans, the Dorking breed gained popularity. They are the only chicken breed that have a red earlobe, but lay a white egg. This breed is dual purpose. They lay at the most 140 eggs a year. Their market size is 6 - 8 lbs. The dorkings are on the most flavorful and delicious chicken breed list. This is a very hardy breed.
These birds are wonderful free rangers and love to consume bugs and weeds. The Dorkings are the sweethearts of the chicken breed and they are very friendly. They are great mothers and will adopt another hens chicks if they are broody. Most breeds slow down egg production in the winter time, but not the dorking chicken. These girls just keep on going! |
Swedish Flower Hen
The Swedish Flower Hen also known as Skånsk Blommehöna. Don't get confused with this breed, because there are Swedish Flower Hen Roosters. This breed was on the brink of extinction in the 1980's. They are landrace chickens, which means that it has adapted to its environment and not naturally selected for breeding standards. The birds can be crested or non- crested.
The Swedish flower hen does not have a breed standard and it can come in a variety of colors. The Swedish Flower Hen lays 150 to 200 light beige eggs a year. They can live to 10 years of age. This is a non aggressive breed. What I have found out from our crested birds is that they often act very comical. I really love these colorful birds.
The Swedish flower hen does not have a breed standard and it can come in a variety of colors. The Swedish Flower Hen lays 150 to 200 light beige eggs a year. They can live to 10 years of age. This is a non aggressive breed. What I have found out from our crested birds is that they often act very comical. I really love these colorful birds.
Eggs
Since we own a variety of chickens our eggs are the colors of the rainbow. I would like to point out which chickens lay what. The five dark green eggs were laid by Olive Eggers (Which is a cross of a dark egg layer and a blue or green egg layer). The light brown was laid by a commercial Red Sex Link. The two dark brown eggs were laid by Black Copper Marans. The two white eggs were laid by Swedish Flower Hens and the two blue ones were laid by Easter Eggers.