Rare Breeds

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.