Chicks

The White Crested was a very popular breed in the late 1600's and was featured in many paintings by various artists. They are a wonderful, dual-purpose bird that also makes a great show bird. The breed tends to be nervous but lays a decent number of eggs. Purpose: Ornamental Production: 100 Small White Eggs/Year Temperament: Gentle, Active Mature Weight: 4-5 lbs. Hardiness: Heat Hardy But Not Cold Hardy Broodiness: Rarely Comb Type: V Comb

Contrary to belief, this breed did not orginate in Poland. They were named after the Polish army’s feathered caps because it closely resembled their feathered crests. The chickens originated in Spain but were then brought to Holland, and eventually the Dutch perfected their coloring. They became a popular bird in France, then started appearing in the U.S. around the 1830s and 40s. They are a great breed and are docile and even-tempered. They are easily surprised and sometimes nervous due to their feathers limiting their eyesight. This makes them more vulnerable to predators. Blue coloring can result in black, blue, or splash feathering, blue is not a guaranteed color. Purpose: Ornamental Production: 100 Small White Eggs/Year Temperament: Gentle, Active Mature Weight: 4-5 lbs. Hardiness: Heat Hardy But Not Cold Hardy Broodiness: Rarely Comb Type: V Comb

The Bielefelder is a recent import to the U.S. that originated in Bielefeld, Germany. A poultry breeder by the name of Gerd Roth developed the breed by crossing New Hampshires, Malines, Amrocks, and Wyandottes to create an auto-sexing, dual-purpose breed. Auto-sexing means that day-old chicks can be sexed when they hatched based on their coloring. Day-old pullet chicks have brown “chipmunk stripes” on their backs, while cockerel chicks are a much lighter shade and do not have any stripes. Adult Bielefelders are beautiful birds and have a color pattern similar to the crele color pattern found in other breeds. The hens have a brown ground color overlaid with faint bars of white and gray. Males have orange barred hackles, backs, and saddles with the tails and breast being black with white barring. Bielefelders are an excellent dual-purpose breed that lays an abundance of brown eggs while still having a well-fleshed carcass. Purpose: Dual-Purpose Production: 230 X-Large Brown Eggs/Year Temperament: Calm, Curious, Active, Friendly Mature Weight: 6-10 lbs. Hardiness: Cold and Heat Hardy Broodiness: Rarely Comb Type: Single Comb

These lacy girls are not just all show with their elegantly patterned feathers, they are also great egg layers. Wyandottes are one of the most strikingly beautiful chickens to grace a backyard flock. Developed in New York, they are quiet, easy to manage, and one of the most winter-hardy of all breeds. Purpose: Dual-Purpose Production: 200 Medium Cream Eggs/Year Temperament: Docile, Friendly Mature Weight: 6-7 lbs. Hardiness: Cold and Heat Hardy Broodiness: Often Comb Type: Rose Comb

Legbars are a lightweight British breed created in the 1930s by mating blue egg-laying birds from South America (similar to the Araucana) with Golden Penciled Hamburgs, and Buff, Brown, and White Leghorns. The goal of the geneticists was to develop a blue egg-laying chicken that was auto-sexing. Auto-sexing means that generation after generation the chicks can be sexed at one-day of age by the color of their down. After about 15-years of work, the Legbar finally came into existence and was first exhibited at the London Dairy Show in 1947. The plumage is a mix of cream shades overlaid with faint black barring and features a small crest on the top of the head.

The Maran breed originates from a town called Marans, France. It is a very winter hardy breed with a docile temperament. They are more athletic and take to foraging and free ranging more often than other breeds. The French Copper Marans lay dark brown eggs. Purpose: Dual-Purpose Production: 225 Medium Dark Brown Eggs/Year Temperament: Docile, Friendly, Easy to Handle Mature Weight: 6-7 lbs. Hardiness: Cold and Heat Hardy Broodiness: Often Comb Type: Single Comb

The French Blue Copper Marans is an extremely rare and beautiful chicken. They are feather-legged, medium large birds that lay a dark brown egg. They will have a blue-grey body with some orange on the neck.

The Maran breed originates from a town called Marans, France. It is a very hardy breed with a docile temperament. This breed tends to be more athletic, taking to foraging and free ranging more often than other breeds. The hens lay dark brown and dark speckled eggs. These tough birds make a great addition to any backyard flock. Purpose: Dual-Purpose Production: 225 Medium Dark Brown Eggs/Year Temperament: Docile, Friendly, Easy to Handle Mature Weight: 6-7 lbs. Hardiness: Cold and Heat Hardy Broodiness: Often Comb Type: Single Comb

The Maran breed originates from a town called Marans, France. It is a very hardy breed with a docile temperament. This breed tends to be more athletic, taking to foraging and free ranging more often than other breeds. The hens lay dark chocolate eggs. These tough birds make a great addition to any backyard flock. Purpose: Dual-Purpose Production: 225 Medium Dark Brown Eggs/Year Temperament: Docile, Friendly, Easy to Handle Mature Weight: 6-7 lbs. Hardiness: Cold and Heat Hardy Broodiness: Often Comb Type: Single Comb

Leghorns are an ancient breed that first originated in Italy and have always been famous for their egg production capabilities. The first Leghorns came to the U.S. starting in the 1820s with frequent importations through the 1850s. From here, the breed was further refined and improved into the breed as we know it today. To this day, they are still recognized as a top egg-producing breed that is highly efficient at converting feed into eggs. They are an active, graceful breed that does well in free-range situations. Isabella Leghorns are a newer variety of Leghorn that feature pastel shades of cream and blue. Hens are an even pastel blue shade with cream-colored hackles and breasts. The hackle and saddle of the males are a cream color with blue striping on each feather while the tail and breast are an even shade of pastel blue. Purpose: Egg Layer Production: 300 Large White Eggs/Year Temperament: Active, Flighty Mature Weight: 4-5 lbs. Hardiness: Cold and Heat Hardy Broodiness: Rarely Comb Type: Single Comb

One of the best breeds for newcomers to chickens, and for families with young children. Named for the English town where they were developed, Orpingtons come in several feather colors, but all are big quiet birds with fluffy feathers that keep them toasty warm during frigid weather. Purpose: Dual-Purpose Production: 220 Medium Brown Eggs/Year Temperament: Docile, Calm, Gentle, Friendly, Good with Children Mature Weight: 7-8 lbs. Hardiness: Cold and Heat Hardy Broodiness: Occasionally Comb Type: Single Comb

Mottled Javas are a large bird, displaying black plumage with white mottling. The Mottled Java is an old breed, developed in the United States in the early 1800s. They are hardy, good layers and an ideal dual-purpose chicken.

Our Prairie Bluebell Egger® lays a novel blue egg but produces higher quality eggs than a pure Araucana. This breed was created by crossing Araucanas and White Leghorns, this creates a chicken that lays a large quantity of eggs that have blue shells. The Prairie Bluebell Egger® is an active bird that is very good at foraging. They are lightweight and do not eat as much as larger breeds. Plumage color varies considerably among individuals, so you can count on having a great variety of beautiful color patterns. Purpose: Egg Layer Production: 240 Medium Blue Eggs/Year Temperament: Active, Athletic, Alert Mature Weight: 4-5 lbs. Hardiness: Cold and Heat Hardy Broodiness: Rarely Comb Type: Pea Comb

The Sapphire Olive Egger™ is both easy on the eyes and the olive eggs are sure to be a great addition to your “eggscape” in your egg carton! This hybrid is a wonderful egg layer, and you cannot resist that tuft on their heads! These birds adapt well to different climates, especially warmer ones. *This hybrid is not perfect, about 5% of the hens may lay brown eggs.* Purpose: Egg Layer Production: 290 X-Large Olive Eggs/Year Temperament: Docile, Active Mature Weight: 6-7 lbs. Hardiness: Cold and Heat Hardy Broodiness: Occasionally Comb Type: Single Comb

The Welbar is a cross between the Welsummer and the Barred Plymouth Rock. Welbars exhibit unusual crele coloration. They are docile birds, very good egg layers, are a great choice for a dark brown egg layer.

This graceful white and amber-colored sex link can lay eggs like no one's business, even in the cold dark winters. It is derived from the ISA genetic line and does not disappoint in egg production and cold-weather hardiness. It is a very well-balanced bird that lays nice large size table eggs. They are docile and make great foragers. Purpose: Egg Layer Production: 300 Large Brown Eggs/Year Temperament: Docile, Mellow Mature Weight: 5-6 lbs. Hardiness: Cold and Heat Hardy Broodiness: Rarely Comb Type: Single Comb

Our Americana will give you an assortment of colored eggs from turquoise to olive, to light brown. The Americana breed comes from the Araucana and Ameraucana mix and has different color plumage variations. It is because of this genetic combination that our birds are not meant for exhibition. Purpose: Egg Layer Production: 240 Medium Colored Eggs/Year. Temperament: Docile, Friendly Mature Weight: 4-6 lbs. Hardiness: Cold and Heat Hardy Broodiness: Occasionally Comb Type: Pea Comb

The Australorp is an Australian breed, was selected for its high egg production, and was developed primarily from Black Orpingtons that were exported from England in the 1890s to early 1900. Australian breeders selected large Black Orpingtons because of their efficient egg production and Orpington shape. Today, the Australorp is still a favorite egg producer in small and backyard flocks. Despite their record-breaking egg production, they are still considered a dual-purpose breed that grows at a good rate and has a well-fleshed carcass. The plumage is pure black with an intense beetle-green sheen that is breathtaking when seen in the sunlight. Their legs and toes are also black while the bottoms of the feet are white. Purpose: Dual-Purpose Production: 250 Large Brown Eggs/Year Temperament: Docile, Energetic Mature Weight: 5-6 lbs. Hardiness: Cold and Heat Hardy Broodiness: Occasionally Comb Type: Single Comb

The Black Sex-Link is an excellent brown egg layer. It was created from a Barred Rock hen and a Rhode Island Red cockerel. This creates a very versatile bird that is a great egg layer, has the temperament of a Barred Plymouth Rock, and can hold its own through the cold dark winter. Purpose: Dual-Purpose Production: 250 Large Brown Eggs/Year Temperament: Gentle, Active Mature Weight: 5-6 lbs. Hardiness: Cold and Heat Hardy Broodiness: Rarely Comb Type: Single Comb

One of the best breeds for newcomers to chickens, and families with young children. Named for the English town where they were developed, Orpingtons come in several feather colors, but all are big quiet birds with fluffy feathers that keep them toasty warm during frigid weather. Buff Orpingtons are the most common color and lay about 200 brown eggs a year. Purpose: Dual-Purpose Production: 220 Medium Brown Eggs/Year Temperament: Docile, Calm, Gentle, Friendly Mature Weight: 6-7 lbs. Hardiness: Cold and Heat Hardy Broodiness: Often Comb Type: Single Comb

Plymouth Rocks are as beautiful and productive as they are easy to care for. In 1620 a travel-weary band of pilgrims set foot on Plymouth Rock. Years later an ideal backyard chicken breed was named in honor of this famous site. They link the flock owner with American history while yielding abundant eggs and tasty meat. In bygone days when nearly every farm had a chicken flock, the utility and beauty of these birds made them the breed of choice. Few birds are as stunningly real as a Plymouth Rock strolling across a summer lawn. With a New England heritage, they do not let winter blizzards interrupt laying. Purpose: Dual-Purpose Production: 250 Large Brown Eggs/Year Temperament: Calm, Docile, Easy to Care For Mature Weight: 5-6 lbs. Hardiness: Cold and Heat Hardy Broodiness: Rarely Comb Type: Single Comb

This is the bird that single-handedly changed American eating habits. Before Cornish Cross Broilers were developed, a chicken dinner was a rare treat reserved for special occasions. Pre-Cornish Cross era chickens grew slowly while eating plenty of feed. Their meat was tasty but sparse. The Cornish Cross made broiler production efficient, and today it’s often the most inexpensive meat the grocery store sells. Cornish Cross Broilers require special feeding and care but grow astonishingly fast. They weigh nearly six pounds when only six weeks old by efficiently converting feed into flesh. Cornish Cross Broilers are the best choice for a person who wants to quickly produce delicious meat and has no plan to save hens for egg production. Purpose: Meat Bird Production: Matures Between 6-8 Weeks Temperament: Docile, Sedentary Mature Weight: 6-8 lbs. Hardiness: Cold and Heat Hardy

California White hybrids look almost exactly like the White Leghorns they were developed from but are slightly larger and have a few black spots on their white feathers. California Whites are quiet, calm and one of the best white egg layers for backyard flocks. Adding a few California Whites to a flock of brown egg layers adds color diversity to the egg carton. Purpose: Egg Layer Production: 300 Large White Eggs/Year Temperament: Active, Vocal, Alert Mature Weight: 4-5 lbs. Hardiness: Cold and Heat Hardy Broodiness: Rarely Comb Type: Single Comb

New Hampshire poultry breeders likely envied Rhode Island for having a chicken breed named for their state. By the mid-1930s they had perfected a breed in the Granite State that grows a bit faster than the Rhode Island and was an important broiler breed until the era of modern hybrids. New Hampshire pullets sport light rusty red feathers and lay about 240 eggs each year. Purpose: Dual-Purpose Production: 240 Medium Brown Eggs/Year Temperament: Quiet, Friendly, Docile Mature Weight: 6-7 lbs. Hardiness: Cold and Heat Hardy Broodiness: Occasionally Comb Type: Single Comb

The Production Red is not a true sex link, but it performs like one. This breed is one of the most hardy and productive birds Hoover's offers. The hens lay good-sized eggs that have strong shell quality. Purpose: Egg Layers Production: 280 Large Brown Eggs/Year Temperament: Docile, Calm Mature Weight: 5-6 lbs. Hardiness: Cold and Heat Hardy Broodiness: Rarely Comb Type: Single Comb

The Rainbow is a dual-purpose bird that has one of the most unique feather color patterns you will ever see. It has every color you can imagine, and no two birds look alike. The best part about this breed is that they make wonderful birds for small backyard flocks allowing you to butcher them or keep the hens for eggs! Purpose: Dual-Purpose Production: 250 Medium Brown Eggs/Year Temperament: Docile, Calm, Social Mature Weight: 7-8 lbs. Hardiness: Cold and Heat Hardy Broodiness: Occasionally Comb Type: Single Comb

Rhode Island may be America’s smallest state, but the breed developed there in the late 1800s made huge changes in chicken husbandry. The Rhode Island Red’s amazing ability to lay about 265 eggs a year made it famous worldwide and became the parent of several modern hybrid egg layers. These glossy mahogany-colored hens with black tail feathers are as beautiful as they are gentle and productive. Purpose: Egg Layer Production: 265 Large Brown Eggs/Year Temperament: Exuberant, Curious, Friendly Mature Weight: 6-7 lbs. Hardiness: Cold and Heat Hardy Broodiness: Occasionally Comb Type: Single Comb

These lacy girls are not all show with their elegantly patterned feathers. They are also great egg layers. Wyandottes are one of the most strikingly beautiful chickens to grace a backyard flock. Developed in New York, they are quiet, easy to manage, and one of the most winter-hardy of all breeds. Purpose: Dual-Purpose Production: 245 Medium Cream Eggs/Year Temperament: Docile, Calm, Easy Going Mature Weight: 5-6 lbs. Hardiness: Cold and Heat Hardy Broodiness: Occasionally Comb Type: Rose Comb

Years ago, a small amazingly productive chicken breed was imported from Italy through the port of Livorno. "Leghorn" became the Anglicized word for that port and the breed. Supermarket eggs are almost always laid by White Leghorns or hybrids developed from them. Hens lay about 325 eggs every year while eating less feed than most other breeds. Purpose: Egg Layer Production: 325 Large White Eggs/Year Temperament: Active, Alert, Athletic, Nervous Mature Weight: 4-5 lbs. Hardiness: Cold and Heat Hardy Broodiness: Rarely Comb Type: Single Comb

Brown Leghorns share the productive traits and nervous personality of their white cousins but have slightly larger bodies clothed in one of the most beautiful feather patterns of any white egg laying breed. Always alert, Brown Leghorns are athletic, excitable, noisy, and often better able to avoid predators than slower breeds. Purpose: Egg Layer Production: 300 Large White Eggs/Year Temperament: Alert, Athletic, Vocal Mature Weight: 4-5 lbs. Hardiness: Cold and Heat Hardy Broodiness: Rarely Comb Type: Single Comb

Wyandottes are not all show with their elegantly patterned feathers. They are also great egg layers. Wyandottes are one of the most strikingly beautiful chickens to grace a backyard flock. Developed in New York, they are quiet, easy to manage, and are of the most winter hardy of all breeds. Purpose: Dual-Purpose Production: 245 Medium Cream Eggs/Year Temperament: Docile, Calm, Easy Going Mature Weight: 5-6 lbs. Hardiness: Cold and Heat Hardy Broodiness: Occasionally Comb Type: Rose Comb

The Marans breed originates from a town called Marans, France. It is a very winter hardy breed with a docile temperament. They tend to be more athletic, taking to foraging, and free ranging more often than other breeds. Marans lay dark brown and dark speckled eggs. These tough birds make a great addition to any backyard flock. Purpose: Dual-Purpose Production: 200 Medium Dark Brown Eggs/Year Temperament: Docile, Friendly, Easy to Handle Mature Weight: 5-6 lbs. Hardiness: Cold Hardy But Not Heat Hardy Broodiness: Occasionally Comb Type: Single Comb