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Keeping in Touch:  saving the heritage Chickens  |
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savanna
Farmgirl in Training
21 Posts
rita
cisco
texas
USA
21 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 27 2009 : 6:57:16 PM
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Hi ya'll,
I want to say that the heirloom gardening has hit a special place in my heart.
But so have heritage breeds of chickens. Like our seeds they have been replaced by hybreds that the commercial operations emphasis on production birds.
heritage chickens are the chickens you would have found on farms hundreds of years ago. Several of them are near extinction.
"ertiage livestock , like heirloom seeds, are now recognized as an important part of our country's history and regional heritage- the liveing equivalent of our grandmother's quilts." "chicken breeds A to Z"
I am looking for some of the Buff Orpington chickens. it the considered the marmaduke of the chicken world. It was developed in Orpington England in the 1880s. If anyone has information on some for sale please let me know. Thanks
If you think that something small cannot make a differnce-try going to sleep with a mosquito in the room 
chiqita |
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LivingWell4You
True Blue Farmgirl
1411 Posts
Karen
Hillsboro
MO
USA
1411 Posts |
Posted - Feb 28 2009 : 04:01:34 AM
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Chiqita, Meyer Hatchery has them. Dawn (deeredawn) works there and could answer any questions you have. The website is www.meyerhatchery.com Also Rene' (prosserfarmgirl) just got some from there and would be a good source of information also.
God bless -
Karen ~ Farmgirl Sister #311
www.livingwell4you.blogspot.com
www.heritagehillsfarm.blogspot.com
"To own a little bit of ground, to scratch it with a hoe, to plant seeds and watch the renewal of life - this is the commonest delight of the race, the most satisfactory thing a man can do." Charles Dudley Warner |
Edited by - LivingWell4You on Feb 28 2009 04:02:30 AM |
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Ms.Lilly
True Blue Farmgirl
826 Posts
Lillian
Scotts Mills
OR
USA
826 Posts |
Posted - Feb 28 2009 : 06:51:27 AM
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Hi Chiqita- I have Buff Orpingtons and they are wonderful! I almost always have 1 that is broody and last year actually let a hen raise a brood of chicks, she was a wonderful mother! For the most part they are quiet gals and keep busy picking at the yard. My chickens came from McMurry Hatchery and were healthy. Their customer service was great too. We also have Delewares, they are great too.
Lillian |
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savanna
Farmgirl in Training
21 Posts
rita
cisco
texas
USA
21 Posts |
Posted - Feb 28 2009 : 08:26:07 AM
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Oh girls thank you so much. I will check out both places you have mentioned
We are in the process of building our chicken coup and should be ready to order chicks by the end of April.
it is so good to know there are farm girls raising the heritage chickens. i plan on taking my eggs to farmers market to sell along with our vegetables.
chiqita |
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lacisne88
True Blue Farmgirl
1181 Posts
Chelsey
Lake Stevens
Washington
USA
1181 Posts |
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PlumCreekMama
True Blue Farmgirl
730 Posts
Heather
Iowa
USA
730 Posts |
Posted - Feb 28 2009 : 4:38:43 PM
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Orpingtons are on my list for chickens I want to get this spring. I have Delawares, Rhode Island Whites and Reds, Barred Rocks, Cochins, and Buff Brahmas. I am also interested in getting some Iowa Blues, which are very difficult to find. Also want more ducks, as I only have 2 Rouens left. I would like more Rouens and Silver Appleyards, if I can find them.
http://plumcreekmama.blogspot.com/
http://plumcreekcreations.etsy.com |
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K-Falls Farmgirl
Chapter Leader
2096 Posts
Cheryl
Klamath Falls
Oregon
USA
2096 Posts |
Posted - Feb 28 2009 : 4:52:19 PM
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My girls are 2 Buff Orphs and 1 barred Rock & 1 Rhode Island Red. The buffs have been laying since day one. They are so gentle and great about laying through our winter here in Klamath Falls.. Good luck! I will get more in the Spring...
Cheryl
Farmgirl #309
Almost daily posts at:
http://www.k-fallsfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
Come visit the barn at http://barndoorcreations.blogspot.com/
Every time I hear the dirty word 'exercise',
I wash my mouth out with chocolate.
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Feb 28 2009 : 6:38:58 PM
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I am going to order some Buff's, too. They are so pretty. And I want eggs EVERY day! Aren't the Delaware a heritage breed, too? I need to study more about the se breeds. I think the older breeds are so much more hardy that the hybrids. Too much crossing going on.
Kris
Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you. Maori proverb |
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farmmom22
True Blue Farmgirl
616 Posts
Tammy
Scottsville
KY
USA
616 Posts |
Posted - Mar 01 2009 : 09:23:14 AM
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Saving our heritage has taken on such an important part of my life these days. The thought of my children and grandchildren not having access to seeds or animals because they have died out is such a rude awakening. I plan on ordering about five heritage breeds this year. Delaware is at the top of my list. It's not only important to know where your food comes from, but making sure the same food will be around for future generations.
Farmgirl Sister #492
Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending. -Carl Bard |
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ruralfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
4309 Posts
Rene'
Prosser
WA
USA
4309 Posts |
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savanna
Farmgirl in Training
21 Posts
rita
cisco
texas
USA
21 Posts |
Posted - Mar 04 2009 : 1:51:47 PM
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peeeeeeeeeep - i found some Buffs at our local feed store - i am so excited.
We are going to N.M. this weekend and when we get back we will go pick them up. Rene thank you.
chiqita |
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QueenofQuiteAlot
True Blue Farmgirl
865 Posts
Dalyn
Milk 'n Honey Ranch
Central, WA
USA
865 Posts |
Posted - Mar 10 2009 : 7:38:22 PM
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I ordered my Buffs from McMurray Hatchery five years ago...
I need more! All my Buff hens are gone now, lost to coyotes and a few to dogs. I'm going to order more this year. Anybody close to Yakima, Wa want to go in on a minimum order of 25 Buff pullets? I have my Buff rooster still and he is the most handsome, debonair guy- takes great care of his harem.
My other favorite heritage breed is the Deleware. This lovely bird is a prolific layer and great for meat too. I have four of these hens and am sharing an order from McMurray with a couple friends, so I'll have several more soon!
Don't forget the heritage breed turkeys! I'm planning on getting a couple Blue Slates and several Royal Palms *U*
Dalyn
~Hick Chicks Soap Barn ~
www.hickchickssoapbarn.com
Homespun Raw Goat Milk Soaps 'n More
http://muckbootsnaprons.blogspot.com/
http://proverbs31nubians.blogspot.com/
Muckboots 'N Aprons at Home Chapter
http://yakimafarmgirls.blogspot.com/ |
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TheresaB
True Blue Farmgirl
393 Posts
Theresa
Loveland
Colorado
USA
393 Posts |
Posted - Mar 19 2009 : 12:33:42 PM
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I have 2 Buff Orps, 2 Barred Rock, 2 Red Star and 4 Americauna (Easter Eggers), they are all about 3 weeks old and growing like little maniacs. I found them at the local mercantile for $3.50 per chick. My 8 year old son says he thinks the Buffs will be the best "egg makers" because they have "the biggest butts". LOL!
Theresa in Colorado
Proud Farmgirl Sister #124
www.thegypsysdaughter.etsy.com
www.thegypsysdaughter.blogspot.com
"I see skies of blue, clouds of white, the bright blessed day, the dark sacred night, and I think to myself, "What a Wonderful World!" ~ Louis Armstrong |
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sjs
True Blue Farmgirl
247 Posts
Stephanie
Oakland
CA
USA
247 Posts |
Posted - Mar 19 2009 : 3:53:36 PM
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Ladies, does anyone have a list of endangered heritage livestock or know where I can find such a thing?
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Learning to live is learning to let go.
Visit my food blog! http://www.wasabimon.com - natural cooking to live for.
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Tealady
Farmgirl at Heart
4 Posts
Martha
Saint Albans
Maine
USA
4 Posts |
Posted - Mar 25 2009 : 7:46:13 PM
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Hi chiqita, I have a dozen Buff Ofingtons and they really are very sweet chickens. They are also very big egg layers, even in the winter I was still collecting eggs  . I picked that breed and also golden comets because of them being Heritage Stock.
Farm - Registered Nigerian Dairy Goats.
http://www.thevillagehavenfarm.com
Tea Shoppe
http://www.villagehavenfarm.com |
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StasiaSpins
True Blue Farmgirl
78 Posts
Stasia
Augusta (Eau Claire)
WI
USA
78 Posts |
Posted - Mar 25 2009 : 8:01:12 PM
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The list of endangered livestock breeds can be found at http://www.albc-usa.org/
That's the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, and they provide a great newsletter to members. It's worth joining even if you don't raise livestock.
We raise heritage Golden Laced Wyandotte chickens. They were originally bred in our area (WI) and they are super hardy for our climate. They are fantastic parents, great layers, and have very flavorful meat. They are gentle and beautiful. We are doing our best to preserve this national treasure. We have people request our eggs ALL the time, because of the difference in quality, size, and flavor (of course, the chickens are fed organic feed, so that helps!) :)
The roosters are quite docile as well. We could not be more pleased.
We also have a few Black Australorps, which carry the Orpington genes, and they are lovely, too... but our breeding focus is on the Wyandottes.
If everyone who kept chickens could make room for at least a few rare, heritage breeds, what an awesome effort would be made in preserving them.
We get our stock from http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/ and have always received super-healthy chicks. GOOD LUCK!
Even though we don't breed anything other than chickens, we support breeders of heritage livestock with our "additions," and thereby maintain a heritage farm and try to raise awareness of breed diversity. Our pride and joy is our Mammoth Jackstock jennet (huge donkey), Tikki, as well as our Jacob sheep. We love it when passers-by slam on their brakes to look at our four-horned, spotted sheep, and the giant "horse" with the foot-long ears! :)
Heritage poultry, livestock, and seeds are subjects very near and dear to my heart.
http://www.TuppinzFarm.com Heritage Sheep ~ Goats ~ Donkeys ~ Poultry
http://YarnAndABarn.blogspot.com Spinning ~ Knitting ~ Weaving ~ Quilting ~ Crocheting |
Edited by - StasiaSpins on Mar 25 2009 8:22:03 PM |
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sjs
True Blue Farmgirl
247 Posts
Stephanie
Oakland
CA
USA
247 Posts |
Posted - Mar 25 2009 : 8:17:52 PM
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Stasia, thanks for the links! Do you have any photos of your livestock? I'd love to see them.
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Learning to live is learning to let go.
Visit my food blog! http://www.wasabimon.com - natural cooking to live for.
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StasiaSpins
True Blue Farmgirl
78 Posts
Stasia
Augusta (Eau Claire)
WI
USA
78 Posts |
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sjs
True Blue Farmgirl
247 Posts
Stephanie
Oakland
CA
USA
247 Posts |
Posted - Mar 25 2009 : 9:08:27 PM
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WOW I have never seen a sheep that looks like that. The donkey and chicken are gorgeous too!
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Learning to live is learning to let go.
Visit my food blog! http://www.wasabimon.com - natural cooking to live for.
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farmmom22
True Blue Farmgirl
616 Posts
Tammy
Scottsville
KY
USA
616 Posts |
Posted - Mar 26 2009 : 1:56:24 PM
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I ordered my chicks this past weekend from McMurray. They said it would be June 1st before they would be delivered. BooHoo!! I had about eight different breeds picked out and then narrowed them down to four. So I ordered 14 Black Australorps, I forgot how many Delawares and the rest were Aruacaunas(easter egg chicks). I wanted Dominiques but they were out of those for the rest of the year. Then we ended up with six Barred Rock chicks from TSC that afternoon. So 31 chicks is a pretty good start I think!!
http://afarmgirljourney.blogspot.com/
Farmgirl Sister #492
Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending. -Carl Bard |
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JustBeeingMJ
Farmgirl in Training
27 Posts
Mary Jane
Port Orchard
WA
USA
27 Posts |
Posted - Apr 04 2009 : 12:45:05 AM
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I currently have 13 new baby chicks living in a special cage in my downstairs family room! Our weather has been so unpredictable that I decided to keep them indoors until the weather gets warmer or they get feathered out! My cats are having a great time watching the chicks running around and being crazy!
It's especially sweet when you see these little fuzzy babies just plop down and fall sound asleep! I am very excited because I have 3 Maran hens which are a breed that isn't available often and looks like a darker version of a Barred Rock. Also managed to get 2 sweet Buff sisters that are inseparable!
Looks like another good year for EGGS!
It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.
~Laura Ingalls Wilder |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22937 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22937 Posts |
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sjs
True Blue Farmgirl
247 Posts
Stephanie
Oakland
CA
USA
247 Posts |
Posted - Apr 06 2009 : 1:14:38 PM
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Ooooh! Chicken longing!
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Learning to live is learning to let go.
Visit my food blog! http://www.wasabimon.com - natural cooking to live for.
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NancyM
True Blue Farmgirl
113 Posts
Nancy
Fall City
WA
113 Posts |
Posted - Apr 06 2009 : 2:23:13 PM
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Thanks for posting the link to albc. I think this is something I could develop an interest in. I was surprised to see our little buttercup on the critical chickens list. Our is a great little layer-a small bird but LOTS of white eggs. I'm surprised they aren't more popular. We've also had good luck with the Sussex-we have had 2 of the speckled for 4 years, and they're still laying.
I too love the Buff Orpingtons-we have a 2 year old and one of this years chicks is a Buff. She is 2 weeks old and already the same size as a 3 week old Rhode Island Red! They are wonderful chickens-pretty good sized too.
Nancy
Farmgirl Sister #159 |
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paintnpencils
Farmgirl in Training
31 Posts
jessica
glen rock
pa
USA
31 Posts |
Posted - Jun 12 2009 : 7:09:47 PM
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I love the idea of raising a breed that is a heritage breed or one that is endangered. I am looking into getting some buckeye chickens. Does anyone know much about them, or know anyone whao has them? I have to build a coop, or remodle part of one of the outbuildings. So I am looking to get some next spring, but I also liked the look of the jersy giants too! and the Delaware! there are so many pretty breeds but I want to get one that lays well, and could be used for meat production, with the possibility of selling extra chicks later for breeding stock or to further the breed production. Chickens are such wonderful creaturs!
each day is a new oportunity to create,improve, expand, and share. |
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Keeping in Touch: saving the heritage Chickens |
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saving the heritage Chickens
