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Colorful Chickens: All about chicken breeds

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Did you know there are over 80 breeds of chickens?

The first thing anyone says when they see my hens is "What beautiful chickens"! They are shocked at the variety of colors and patterns.

Chickens come in just about any size, color, or temprament you can imagine. Much in the same way as with dog breeds you have the sturdy work chickens (for egg laying), the downright silly looking little things (for fun), and those raised for meat (well...I guess there isn't a meat class with dogs).

The eggs you can get are nearly as different as the birds themselves: there are chickens that lay white, brown (several different shades), and even green eggs!

If you wish to raise chickens you will want to be sure you choose a breed that is suitable for your needs. Just as a Great Dane in a studio apartment or Pomeranian for a police dog would be inpractical, a bantam chicken for laying eggs is ridiculous.

Let me introduce you to some breeds and direct you to more chicken related lenses!

Chickens for Laying Eggs

and Cold Hardiness

We live in New England. Winters are pretty cold here, occasionally it gets really cold (10-20 below). You can always heat a chicken coop, but not only does that cost money, it can be dangerous. The best solution is to choose chickens bred to withstand the cold.

We raise our hens for eggs, so we chose breeds that lay particularly well. Meet all of the breeds we have:

Golden Laced Wyandotte

Meet Teriyaki,Teri for short:

Teri is a golden laced wyandotte. There are several colos of wyandottes, they also come standard and bantam (little mini chickens). All of our chickens are standard size. Standards are better and bigger egg layers. Wyandotte's are known to lay about 4 large brown eggs per week. I can't tell you exactly how many Teri lays because she doesn't tell me.


Here is her baby photo.

Silver Laced Wyandotte

We have two silver laced, Dianne and Florentine (Flo for short). Silver laced Wyandotte's have the same characteristics as the golden laced. The photo shows Dianne on the left, then Terri stuck her head in the photo. Flo was hiding.

You can buy wyandottes at My Pet Chicken.

Australorp

Four of our hens are Australorps (Nugget, Noodle, Popcorn and Patty). You can't beat them for egg laying, 5 large brown eggs a week. They all have really distinct personalities too.

You can buy australorps at My Pet Chicken.

Red Star

In addition to being excellent layers (5 large brown a week), Stars are "sex-link" chickens, meaning that males and females are different colors at birth. This makes sexing the chicks much easier, nearly insuring that you don't accidentaly get a rooster. There are red and black stars. Our stars are Cacciatore (Cacci) and Quesadilla (Casey), pictured are Cacci...and Casey's tail.

Buy your stars at My Pet Chicken


Sleepy baby chick

Plymouth Rock (Barred)

These chickens are quite popular. They lay about 4 large brown eggs per week. Plymouth Rock includes several varieties, ours are barred. They are Marsala (Marcy) and Parmesean. They seem a bit shyer than the rest.

You can buy your Plymouth Rocks at My Pet Chicken

People think my chickens are fancy, but take a look at these!

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Now that you've learned about chicken breeds...

Read about why you should raise chickens.

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Want to learn how to raise baby chicks...

or see more chick photos?

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Where to Buy Chickens

I have purchased all of my hens from Mypetchicken.com, and have had very good luck with them. They allow small minimum orders (great for starting out) and offer a wealth of information about each chicken. They even have a breed selector tool! Now it may sound like I am a walking advertisement for their site, but I do it for free (that is how awesome they are). However, there are other places to get your babies. Here are a few links to hatcheries. If you prefer to get your chicks in person, check your local feed store in the spring, go to fairs or find a farmer.
Murray McMurray Hatchery
A very well known and respectable hatchery.
Belt Hatchery
Cackle Hatchery
Meyer Hatchery
My Pet Chicken
The only hatchery (that I know of) where you can purchase between 3-8 chicks as the minimum. If you don't want at least 25 hens, go with them.

I am looking for photos!

If you have interesting looking chickens (especially bantams) I would love to be able to put the photos here, crediting you or your website, or to have a photo link.
Please email lajaponaise7@yahoo.com with contributions.

This photo was submitted by a reader. You can see a rooster and some hens (Charlie, Marge, Poppy & Pansy) happily foraging.

Sell Your Fresh Eggs

With a handmade sign with the option to include a chalkboard so that you can make it say whatever you want!

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Fresh Egg Sign



Click the image to see more.

Chicken Stuff!

I've combined my love of crafting with my love of chickens in my Etsy shop. I'm hoping to offer several more products soon, so please check back often.

Farm Fresh Eggs Wooden Sign (Cranberry) | Price: $15

Hand painted a lovely cranberry color, this wooden "Farm Fresh Eggs" sign will let the neighborhood know you have extra eggs or decorate a c... (full description)

Farm Fresh Eggs Wooden Sign (Aged Black and Copper) | Price: $16

People will know you have eggs for sale with this handsome wooden "Farm Fresh Eggs" sign painted black and copper. It has been antiqued wit... (full description)

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Wooden "Chicken Xing" (Crossing) Sign | Price: $10

Charmingly warn passers-by of your flock with this 8 inch chicken crossing sign! This chicken xing sign would be nice on a fence post, or hung from a... (full description)

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Wooden "My Pet Makes Me Breakfast" Sign | Price: $0

Declare your appreciation for your feathered friend's ability to make YOU delicious eggs for breakfast. Makes a great conversation starter.

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Wooden Farm Fresh Eggs Sign (Spring Green with Crackle Effect) | Price: $16

Farm Fresh Eggs for sale? People will notice this sign from the road! This "Farm Fresh Eggs" sign is painted in cheery spring green. It h... (full description)

Farm Fresh Eggs Wooden Sign with Chalkboard (Antique White) | Price: $20

Advertise your eggs with this charming sign painted in antique white. It has also been "aged" with crackle paint for effect. This 17 inch si... (full description)

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Advertise your eggs with this charming sign painted in denim blue. It has also been "aged" with crackle paint for effect. This 17 inch sig... (full description)

Farm Fresh Eggs Wooden Sign (Mustard Yellow) | Price: $15

Advertise your eggs with this charming sign painted in mustard yellow. This 17 inch sign is made from solid reclaimed pine. All of my reclaimed pine... (full description)

Farm Fresh Eggs Sign with Bracket for Hanging (Barn Red with Crackle) | Price: $26

Easily visible from the road, this charming sign (hand-painted in barn red with crackle effect & antique white lettering) hangs by chain and comes wit... (full description)

Beware of Chickens Funny Wooden Sign | Price: $11

This "Beware of Chickens" sign will get people's attention!

Has a saw tooth hanger on the back for wall hanging. Measures about... (full description)

Chicken Coop Farm Fresh Eggs Wooden Sign (Aged "Barn Wood" Style Colors) | Price: $0

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My Pet Makes Me Breakfast Wooden Sign | Price: $14

"My Pet Makes ME Breakfast" sign painted in a denim blue. If you have chickens you know exactly what I am talking about! This 18 inch sign... (full description)

Welcome to Our Coop Wooden Sign | Price: $0

"Welcome to Our Coop" sign in a rustic red with rooster details. This 18 inch sign is made from solid reclaimed pine. All of my reclaimed p... (full description)

Farm Fresh Eggs Wooden Sign (Red, White and Blue With Crackle Effect) | Price: $0

Advertise your eggs with this charming sign painted in red white and blue. It has been antiqued with crackle paint, giving it a rustic look. This 17... (full description)

Hen & Chicks Shaker Peg Coat/ Hat Rack (Rust Red) | Price: $21

This 17 inch coat rack is made from reclaimed solid pine. It is hand painted rust red with black accents. It has a lovely hen with her chicks detail... (full description)

Etched Copper and Wood Farm Fresh Eggs Sign | Price: $13

This sign measures about 5.5 by 8 inches. It is made with an etched sheet of copper and backed with painted reclaimed wood. As you can tell by the p... (full description)

Farm Fresh Eggs Sign with Bracket for Hanging (Royal Blue & Gold Crackle) | Price: $26

Easily visible from the road, this charming sign (hand-painted in royal blue with a gold crackle effect & antique white lettering) hangs by chain and... (full description)

Farm Fresh Eggs Wooden Sign (Cherry Red) | Price: $15

Advertise your eggs with this charming sign painted in a bright cherry red. This 17 inch sign is made from solid reclaimed pine. All of my reclaimed... (full description)

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Chicken Stuff on Amazon

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They have great case or bulk prices for lots of products, including many natural and organic.

They also have a subscribe and save feature for some items that allows you to save an extra 15%, ship for free and select next delivery date (and you can cancel anytime).
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Feel Free to Comment Here

  • earthybirthymama Apr 23, 2012 @ 8:22 pm | delete
    Back again.... many blessings on this wonderful Lense.
  • GreenChickens May 10, 2012 @ 2:38 pm | delete
    Thank you so much!
  • earthybirthymama Apr 23, 2012 @ 8:21 pm | delete
    My son wants to get some Barred Plymouth Rock, we currently have Chantecler chickens and one rooster. Nice Lense.

    Cheers
    Grace
  • DLeighAlexander Mar 19, 2012 @ 5:38 pm | delete
    Enjoyed your lens :)
  • lbrummer Mar 19, 2012 @ 1:36 pm | delete
    I really enjoyed this lens, made me remember living on the farm.
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GreenChickens

I enjoy spreading the word on how raising chickens is great fun & how you can live a sustainable lifestyle. I also like to share how "going green" can... more »

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