Our Inspiration
Blue Cochin, Sophia
She's such a good momma!
Color and Appearance
The Cochin is a very large, fluffy feathered bird with fully feathered legs and feet. Their very fluffy cushion and short, fluffy tail give them a unique look, with their short, curved-looking back as a result. They are the largest of the heavy breeds and cockerels can weigh in at 12 lbs!
Origin
Cochins originated from China in the early 1850s where it was known as the Shanghai or the Cochin-China. The original birds were received by Queen Victoria which led to great popularity for the breed.
Temperament
Cochins are known to be good pet hens for the garden, as they are tame and regarded as one of the most friendly chicken breeds.
Uses
Cochins are prone to broodiness. They are well known as good mothers, even as foster mothers for other breeds. They lay light brown eggs.
Brabanter, Tina
Like Tina Turner, she's fabulous!
Color and Appearance
The Brabanter has a small tuff of feathers on its head, somewhat like a round crest that has been latterly flattened inwards from both sides and narrows to the front of the head; in other words making it seem like a Mohawk haircut.
Origin
The Brabanter breed originated in the historic region of Brabant in the Netherlands. It is a very old breed, the oldest known image of one is in a painting of 1676 by the Dutch artist Melchior d’Hondecoeter.
Temperament
Brabanter’s are somewhat shy but lively and very intelligent. The breed stands confinement well and is winter hardy.
Uses
The Brabanter is not prone to broodiness, a good winter layer, and offers a medium production volume of a large white egg.
Ameraucanas, Wilma & Betty
These girls are the sweetest and true BFFs!
Color and Appearance
Unlike most types of chickens, Ameraucanas are bearded and muffed, with full tails and slate or black legs depending on the variety. Eight colors are officially recognized: Black, Blue, Blue Wheaten, Brown Red, Buff, Silver, Wheaten and White.
Origin
The Ameraucana was developed in the USA from the non-standard “Easter Egger” chicken whose ancestors were South American Araucanas. It was accepted as an official breed in 1984.
Temperament
These birds are typically sweet and quiet and adapt well to confinement.
Uses
Of chickens that lay colored eggs, Ameraucana chickens produce an above average number of blue/green eggs. They are good brooders and are cold hardy.
Wyandotte, Loretta
Loyal and sweet. Down to earth, just like the country singer.
Color and Appearance
The Wyandotte is a popular show bird and has nine recognized color variations. The most popular colors have a very striking lacy appearance and are appropriately named silver laced (white feathers rimmed in black) and gold laced (red feathers rimmed in black).
Origin
The Wyandotte originated in the USA in the 1870s.
Temperament
Wyandottes are normally a docile, friendly bird and make good pets. However, some have been known to be aloof or even aggressive.
Uses
Wyandottes are good layers, producing around 200 eggs per year. They lay a pinkish, light brown egg. They occasionally go broody and make good mothers.
Welsummer, Flo
She's the senior of the group but you'd never know it!
Color and Appearance
Females are a lovely partridge color, and males have an intricate and beautiful coloring which includes a dark red across the saddle and bright green in the wings, as well as beautiful, black tail feathers. The rooster on the Kellog’s Cornflakes box - whose name is Cornelius - is a Welsummer.
Origin
Welsummer originated in Welsum, Holland and are made up from the following breeds; Partridge Cochin, Partridge Wyandotte, Partridge Leghorn and later Barnvelder and Rhode Island Red.
Temperament
While Welsummers are not particularly docile, they are intelligent and friendly. They are also quite active.
Uses
Welsummer hens lay about 160 eggs per year. They lay dark brown eggs that are a terra cotta color, some mottled with brown spots.
Black Astralorp, Dorothy
Super sweet and busy. She's definitely the leader in egg production!
Color and Appearance
Black Australorps’ glossy black plumage has a greenish-purple sheen and their larger than average bright red combs make an unusually handsome sight. They are big birds, cockerels weighing 6 to 8 pounds at maturity.
Origin
The Black Australorp was developed in Australia, from Black Orpingtons imported from England, hence the name: Austral for Australia and Orp for Orpington.
Temperament
The Black Australorp is docile, dignified, calm, and sweet. They don’t mind being confined and tend to be a little shy.
Uses
You can expect 200-280 brown eggs from an Australorp hen each year. The hens are sometimes broody.
Cuckoo Maran, Marge
She's the shy one of the goup, but lays some really cool brown eggs!
Color and Appearance
There are nine recognized colors of the Cuckoo Marans. Black copper (black with copper feathers on the neck) and cuckoo (barred feathers, giving a black and white speckled appearance) are the most common. They have orange eyes.
Origin
Marans chickens originated in the French village of the same name about 240 miles southwest of Paris or 100 miles north of Bordeaux. They were first brought into the U.S. at the end of WW2.
Temperament
Marans are docile and easy to look after. They can be lazy and get fat very easily if raised in confinement so it’s best to keep them as free range as possible.
Uses
Marans hens lay around 150–200 dark brown eggs each year.