Chickens

Depending on what time of year you visit us, our chickens, along with ducks, geese, and turkeys could be outside enjoying the summer weather in our Poultry House or keeping warm in the Small Animal Barn during the winter. Our farm features several different breeds of chickens, in particular several rare breeds -- notably the Black Cochin and Barred Plymouth Rock. In summer, you can help us collect the eggs.

Cochin: Originally imported from China, the Cochin has undergone considerable development in the U.S. This breed is mainly found as an ornamental fowl; however, their abilities as mothers are widely recognized and Cochins are frequently used as foster mothers for game birds and other species. Their most remarkable feature is their feathered feet.

Top: Silky Bottom: Barred Plymouth Rock

Barred Plymouth Rock: This American breed was developed in the middle of the 19th century and was first exhibited as the Plymouth breed in 1869. The first Plymouth Rock was barred and other varieties of Rock developed later. The breed became popular very rapidly, and in fact, until World War II, no breed was ever kept and bred as extensively as the Barred Plymouth Rock. Its popularity came from its qualities as an outstanding farm chicken: hardiness, docility, broodiness, and excellent production of both eggs and meat.

Trivia Time: Chicken Facts

• the average laying hen produces more than 272 eggs a year
• hens generally begin laying when they are 20 weeks old and continue to lay eggs until they are 71 weeks old. The older they are, the bigger their eggs. After one year of laying, hens are removed from the layer operation and sold to processors for use in food
• the colour of the shell depends on the breed of the chicken and has nothing to do with the nutritional value of the egg
• beaks tear soft food to pieces and hard food is swallowed whole. The food is forced through the gullet and, after being mixed with gastric juices, is ground with the aid of grit in the gizzard. Without the grit, the chicken would not be able to digest its food
• eggs take 21 days to incubate and need a constant temperature of 38 to 39 degrees Celsius.