Our ChickensBelow is a list of the different rare and traditional chicken breeds we keep and breed. Please click on the + to see pictures and further information about each breed, their origin, egg colour and purpose. We sell chicks and chickens from our farm when available as well as hatching eggs. See our online store for availability
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Ancona
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The Ancona breed originates in Italy but was imported and developed to its current form in the UK it was first imported in 1851 and standardised by 1880 and exportred to the US in 1888 where they were recognised as a breed in 1898. They are relatively common in the UK and US but still quite rare in Italy where an initiative to reintroduce was launched in 2000. They are a hardy rustic breed that like to range and start laying from around 5months of age.
Country of Origin: Italy (Marche region)
Size: Cocks 2.5-2.8 kg and hens 1.8-2.1 kg Egg colour: White Average eggs/year: 220 Egg Size: 50g+ Purpose: Eggs |
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ARAUCANA
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The Araucana breed originates in Chile and there is much controversy around whether it was established prior to Old World contact, which would make it the only native chicken species to the Americas. It is known for its blue eggs and was introduced to breeders world-wide in the mid 20th century.
Country of Origin: Chile
Size: Roosters 2.7-3.2 kg and hens 2.3-2.7 kg Egg colour: Blue Average eggs/year: 180-200 Egg Size: 55g+ Purpose: Eggs |
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BLACK MARSH DAISY
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The Marsh Daisy is one of the UK's rarest species which is currently listed as an endangered species. They originated in Lancashire in the 1880s and was listed as a defined breed in 1913, The are long lived and continue to lay for many years, They have never been established significantly outside of the UK and were originally available in Black, Brown, Buff, Wheaten and White. Of these black is the rarest colour. We currently have a small flock of 12 birds and our hatching eggs to grow our flock.
Country of Origin: Lancashire, England
Size: Roosters 2.7-2.95 kg and hens 2.25-2.5 kg Egg colour: Tinted white Average eggs/year: 250 Egg Size: 60g+ Purpose: Eggs |
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The Barnevelder chicken was developed in the late 1800s becoming standardised from 1910 onwards. It was developed as an egg laying breed and is still used for this purpose although they are also commonly seen as show birds. The eggs were originally much darker than now with only few dark egg strains remaining as focus for showing was on the chickens appearance rather than the eggs, We have a small number of hens that lay the dark strain eggs but unfortunately lost or rooster to a fox. We are currently trying to source a suitable male to produce more of these great birds.
Country of Origin: Barneveld, The Netherlands
Size: Roosters 3.2-3.8 kg and hens 2.3-2.7 kg Egg colour: (Dark) Brown Average eggs/year: 180-200 Egg Size: 55g+ Purpose: Eggs |
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CRESTED CREAM LEGBAR
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The cream legbar is a rare breed from the UK established in the early 20th Century by the University of Cambridge. The breed was developed as an auto-sexing breed, meaning as soon as the chicks hatch males and females can be identified from their markings. They were standardised by 1958 but nearly died out in the 1970s due to a lack of demand for blue eggs. Both sexes are crested with the females crest being slightly smaller. They are currently in the watchlist for rare and endangers breeds. We have a small flock which we are growing and hope to supply blue eggs to the local market soon
Country of Origin: Cambridge, England
Size: Roosters 2.7-3.4 kg and hens 2.0-2.7 kg Egg colour: Light Blue Average eggs/year: 180-200 Egg Size: 50g+ Purpose: Eggs |
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IXWORTH
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The Ixworth chicken was created in 1932 and named after the village it came from. It was bred as a fast growing high-quality meat breed. The breed almost died out in the 1970s but was rescued and has recovered although it is still listed as being at risk. In the UK the meat commands premium prices and although it was created to have reasonable laying abilities it is actually a prolific layer. We are currently sourcing a supply of these chickens and hope to establish a flock in our collection.
Country of Origin: Suffolk, England
Size: Roosters 3.6-4.1 kg and hens 2.7-3.2 kg Egg colour: Tinted White Average eggs/year: 240 Egg Size: 63.6g Purpose: Meat/Eggs |
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Norfolk Greys
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The Norfolk Grey originated in 1910 in Norwich England. It is a rare breed in the UK with very limited flocks having being established outside of the country. It was originally names Black Maria but the name was later changed by the Poultry Club of Great Britain. In the 1970s the breed almost died out, but a private flock of 4 birds was found in 1974 and the breed was revived. The breed is a great forager and does well free ranging. Although it is a heavy breed it is smaller than other breeds and is primarily used for eggs which it lays throughout the winter. Although a bit smaller. it makes a good table bird if allowed to mature and is said to have a more gamey taste than other breeds,
Country of Origin: Norwich, England
Size: Roosters 3.2-3.6 kg and hens 2.25-2.7 kg Egg colour: Light Brown Average eggs/year: 150-220 Egg Size: 50g+ Purpose: Eggs/Meat |
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PAVLOVSKAYA
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Dating back to 1700s and from the village of Pavlovo, the ancestors of these chickens are thought to have originated from Catherine II, Empress of Russian Empire's own poultry yard. They grew in popularity across Russia due to their exotic look but by the 1990s there were only two roosters left and one was infertile. By breeding to similar hens and recrossing back to the father the breed was recovered but is still rare in Russia and extremely rare outside of the country where this breed is highly sought after. We have a small flock of these birds containing both the gold and silver colour variants. We hope to increase our flock size and start to sell hatching eggs and chicks soon.
Country of Origin: Pavlovo, Russia
Size: Unknown/Small Egg colour: White Average eggs/year: Unknown Egg Size: 30g+ Purpose: Eggs/Exhibition |
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Maran
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Originating in France this breed was created as a dual purpose breed and was imported into the UK in the 1930s. It is most famous for its Dark, chocolate brown eggs. There are a number of colours of which our favourite is Wheaten (pictured). Unfortunately or Wheaten Marans were stolen recently and we are now trying to source new chicks from a breeder with the correct dark egg colour. We do have some chicks that we crossed with Cream Legbars giving us Olive green Egg layers which are in our Easter Egger enclosure.
Country of Origin: Marans, France
Size: Roosters 3.5-4.0 kg and hens 2.5-3.0 kg Egg colour: Dark 'chocolate' Brown Average eggs/year: 150-200 Egg Size: 50g+ Purpose: Eggs/Meat |
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Easter Eggers
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Easter Egger is not an official breed but a reference to Chickens that are bred to produce eggs of many different colours. We have an enclosure of birds that are cross and pure breeds which are already laying some exciting colours naturally. We will expand this flock so we can supply boxes of eggs that cover the whole rainbow! See our shop or come and visit when we are open to see them....
Country of Origin: Fattoria Valle Magica
Size: Varies Egg colour: Green, Blue, Purple, Pink, White, Cream, Brown Chocolate, and many more.... Average eggs/year: varies Egg Size: Varies Purpose: Eggs |
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