The Ancona Chicken, also sometimes called the Black Leghorn or Mottled Leghorn is a breed of chicken that first originated in Italy. While this breed was mainly developed to provide a hardy fowl that would produce a lot of eggs, but as far back as the 1800’s, it began being bred specifically for its showy … Read more
When you choose a rooster for your flock, it’s important to remember that their main purpose is to guard the flock and to procreate. Many roosters come with their own unique attitude and, yes, even baggage. Once in a while, you’ll come across a rooster that enjoys a little lap time. But it’s rare. It … Read more
If you need a good, standard egg-layer, you can’t go wrong with the Red Star. The Red Star chicken is a hybrid bird specifically developed both for prolific egg production and a good source of meat. Since the 1950’s, these busy little hens have been producing a high output of large brown eggs for both … Read more
When most people think of chickens, the first image that comes to mind is a white or brown hen. These people would be surprised to know that many varieties of chickens only sported black feathers originally, and these other colors appeared later on as the family tree grew. There are still many black chicken breeds … Read more
Prized for its excellent egg production and ease of care, the Minorca chicken has been an American favorite since the late 1880s. While it is not known to be a good sitter, this is a rugged and hearty breed that will add a splash of the Mediterranean to any flock. Background and History of the … Read more
Have you often thought that a chicken is just a chicken? If so, you probably aren’t aware that there are so many chicken breeds out there that nobody even keeps track of them all. No doubt, there are probably many hundreds of chicken breeds, including some that haven’t even been defined yet. Here, we’ll take … Read more
Can an animal seemingly as common as a chicken be considered “beautiful”? Sound like a stretch? There are dozens of species of chickens out there and not only are some considered beautiful, some are downright designer! After learning about the wide and varied world of chickens, you may even want to start a coop of … Read more
If you’re looking for a chicken that can lay eggs and be a good source of meat, then you should consider raising Red Rangers. These chickens are a hybrid developed to live healthier, longer lives than fast-growing meat birds while still growing and laying at an impressive rate. History of Red Ranger Chickens The Red … Read more
A strange but fascinating bird, the Transylvania naked neck chicken is nothing if not a conversation starter. Hardy and calm, this chicken, which performs well in warmer climates, is a dual-purpose breed that is used worldwide for both meat and egg production. History of Naked Neck Chickens Also known as the Transylvania naked neck chicken, … Read more
Originating in Canada in the early 20th century, the status of the Chantecler chicken is considered to be critical today. However, the Chantcler chicken has persevered over the years as a chicken well-suited to both meat production as well as egg-laying. Large and cold-hardy, these chickens are a boon to many. Background and History of … Read more