Our Other Rare Breeds

BUFF SUSSEX

“BUFF SUSSEX”... Finding the right birds of any breed, with  acceptable standards, can sometimes be a real trial. To find birds with real qualities within the rare breeds can sometime feel an impossibility. I am not sure if I can call the Buff Sussex a rare breed, although it is one of the colours that is more difficult to come by. We hope however you agree. when looking at the pictures of our recent bought stock ...... they are something really special. Most people will have heard of the Light Sussex and the various colours. For those not familiar with this breed, let us describe them as gentle, friendly, dual purpose, (table and egg producers). We like to think we love all our birds, but although they are a recent unplanned addition to our ever increasing flock, Margaret had them named before they even had a chance to see their new hoose/home.

It looks like they are going to be rally spoiled... the photo may help you decide if you think the same way.  Are they not lovely. Hatching eggs should be generally available.

NEW BIRDS

We are probably tempting fate by introducing these as  new birds, as they are only at the hatching stage at the time of writing. Still forever the optimist, here goes.

WHITE ARAUCANA

“WHITE ARAUCANA”... Araucanas in general are becoming more and more popular.  As a true blue egg layer, ( blue right through the shell) it is not at all surprising. Because of its increasing popularity it could not rally be called a rare bird. However, if one moves away from the more traditional colours of red/black and lavender, then “RARE” becomes an acceptable description. White Araucanas are difficult to find and most definitely fall into “the rare category”.

We have reached the time to replenish/increase stocks of our araucanas and with the rare opportunity of purchasing eggs from an established breeder of show winning white araucanas we have made the easy decision to see if we can hatch out some.

Araucanas can be tricky to hatch/raise, but let’s hope, not too difficult. Their laying capacity is said to be around120 eggs per year ....Araucana Annie, our garden pet one of 5 years plus, far outlays that figure ...and that is not counting the extra 200+ she hides in the bushes, in and below the stick/tool sheds... and many other places which we have yet to find!!!

(Isn’t it funny... when  building hen sheds it is nearly impossible to complete them, as every move you make has got to be checked out with future inhabitants... the ones that are not perched on your head and shoulders, are more than happy to perch on your hammer that is going up and down, or try and perch on your twirling screwdriver.

I try to involve them by showing them the plans and certainly take into account any reasonable modifications they might suggest, but even after all that they still prefer to empty out the diminishing water container all over the floor..see who is the quickest at throwing all the layers pellets amongst their muck and wood shavings... and when they have finally exhausted themselves, decide to leave the perches and lets try a wee sleep in the nesting boxes and “we can lay our eggs where they will never find them”... that should get him going again. After that distraction, I will conclude this section on other hens...

If you decide to concentrate on RARE POULTRY, or the TRADITIONAL POULTRY, or if like us, the enthusiasm gets the better of you, you may consider the range we offer. Although the breed of birds mentioned covers our present poultry stock, changes in emphasis are inevitable. Some others we may add. Some we may take away .An email, or telephone call, will give you an update of our present poultry stock situation.

And that concludes our quick Breeding Tour!