Farm Fresh

The unusually spring-like days we’ve been experiencing this week have left me dreaming of all the wondrous events that will unfold in the not so distant future at home and on the farm. Mom’s hens are sorely confused by the mild temps and determined to start setting – even though mid-February is not the ideal time for spring chicks. Their behavior has led to conversations of what breeds will be retained to the flock this year, and what will be added.

My personal favorite, Araucana, were first imported into the United States sometime during the late 1920s or early 1930s and were bred primarily for their novel blue eggs (although green and pink are colors also produced). The blue shell color is a genetically dominant trait. This means that when the Araucana breed is crossed with another breed of domestic chicken the female offspring will always lay blue or tinted eggs. They are a dual purpose bird that has a well-fleshed carcass. The hens are good layers of medium-sized eggs… Mother Nature’s all natural Easter eggs.

Black Sex Link, are one of Mom’s favorite breeds that have made the cut. They are produced using a Barred Rock hen and Rhode Island Red rooster. Both sexes hatch out black, but the males have a white dot on their heads, making it easy to sex the chicks at hatching. Pullets feather out black with some red in their neck feathers. This cross makes for incredibly vigorous chicks, rugged brown egg laying hens, and good cockerel fryers.

The Black Austalorp’s have proven themselves to be reliable layers of brown eggs and will be included in this Spring’s chick order. The breed was developed in Australia, where farmers needed a breed that would lay consistently even when the weather was very hot. The foundation stock for Black Austalorp’s were Black Orpingtons imported from England, and the first of the new breed in the United States were imported in the early 1920s. Their color is of course black, but in the sunlight you can see hints of purple and green, making them a very beautiful chicken.

I’ve got my heart set on adding a few Maran’s to the flock this year. They are known as "chocolate eggers" meaning their eggs are a deep chocolate brown color. Eggs of the Black Copper and the Silver Cuckoo Maran are usually the darkest of all, and are highly sought after. If you value a colorful egg basket like I do, Marans are a must for your flock. Silver Cuckoo is the most available variety in North America and can be purchased from the majority of the main hatcheries.

As always we have farm fresh eggs for $2.00 a dozen. The girls are free range and hormone free, making them happy chicks that lay healthy eggs for us!