About our Chickens

All our poultry is kept in a free-range environment and fed high quality feed. They are also given greens from our vegetable patch several times a week.

All chickens available to purchase will have been hatched and reared on site.

The breeds we keep

Buff Orpington

The first Orpington, a black, was developed in the late 1880s by William Cook and named after the town in Kent where he lived. Eight years later Cook went on to create first the White and then Buff forms.

Orpingtons are a very docile and tame breed and one that is tolerant of being handled making them an excellent family bird. They are very hardy and rarely fly so can be kept inside low fencing. Their placid nature does mean that they can be bullied if kept in a mixed flock.

A healthy hen should produce around 160 eggs in a season.

Silver Laced Wyandotte

Originating from the USA the breed acquired its name from one of the first breeders, Houdlette, who named the breed after his father's ship, the Wyandotte. The Silver laced version was first to be produced in New York.

They are a calm and friendly bird, very hardy and are not keen flyers.

The Wyandotte is a great layer, with the Silver-laced variety being the best. A good hen should produce around 200 eggs a year.

Light Sussex Bantam

The Sussex Bantam was developed around 1920 in England. The Light Sussex is a popular colour with its white body and black striped hackle feathers.

They have a placid nature, are fairly robust and make great broodies and attentive mothers.

They also make great layers of small white eggs often laying throughout the winter.

Pekin

The Pekin is a true Bantam originating from China. The first Pekins arrived in Britain in 1860 having said to have been taken from the private collection of the emperor of China in Peking by the British forces.

They have endearing personalities are very docile and friendly and look most attractive. They can be easily handled making great pets especially for children. Being small they can be kept in limited space and mix well with other breeds. The hens often go broody and make excellent mothers but because of their feet feathering wet muddy conditions should be avoided.

They make reasonable layers of small tinted eggs.

Silver Laced Sebright

Another true Bantam it bears the name of Sir John Sebright who developed the breed over 200 years ago. He established a club for his breed in 1810.

They are a truly stunning bird with their beautiful laced marking. Although small, they are a very confident bird and strut self importantly. They are inquisitive birds and are happy in a mixed flock. They are also very hardy.

They produce small light shelled eggs although this breed is not kept for its egg laying abilities.