My old hen’s a good old hen.
She lays eggs for the railroad men.
Sometimes eight sometimes ten.
That’s enough for the railroad men.
Cluck old hen cluck and sing. Ain’t laid an egg since late last spring Cluc.k old hen cluck and squall.
Ain’t laid an egg since late last fall.
Cluck Old Hen – Old-Time banjo & fiddle tune mid 1800s.
Few things can add more ambience to your homestead than a flock of chickens. Happy hens, making soft sounds as they forage in your yard or garden, can provide you with an abundance of fresh eggs to enjoy each morning.
Springtime is a good time to consider raising some chickens.
Some time ago, a dear friend of ours contacted me for advice on purchasing chickens. She was ordering baby chicks and wondered if I had any thoughts on breeds that were preferable. Being a “chicken person” I did and do.
What follows are these same thoughts, now put to paper (if you are new to nurturing poultry, consider visiting YouTube to get an education on chicken raising before ordering chicks or buying full grown birds).
Here are my chicken thoughts… I like the old standard dual- purpose breeds. They tend to be solid egg layers, but can also be put in the pot, if you are so inclined. These breeds typically lay brown eggs. Think of them as good all-around farm or ranch chickens.
First up we have Barred Rocks (one color variety of the Plymouth Rock breed – showing beautiful dark gray and white barred plumage). Barred Rocks are an all-time popular favorite, described as steady, reliable chickens. Developed in England in the 1800s, they are considered by some to be the ideal American chicken.
One of my favorite chickens in years past was an old Barred Rock hen with an injury to her face. I called her Scar-Head Lois.
Next, we have the Black Australorp. Imported into the U.S.
from Australia in the 1920s, these chickens are known for their superior heat tolerance. They are one of the very best egg layers. Known to be quiet and gentle, they are wonderful birds.
Another breed known to be heavy layers are Rhode Island Reds. Developed in Rhode Is- land in the early 1900s, they are one of the most famous and popular breeds.
These birds can be a bit feisty and are sometimes mean to the other chickens, so if you have a mixed flock, it is a good idea to limit the number of Rhode Island Reds for optimal peace in the henhouse.
Buff Orpingtons are another breed worth considering. These golden colored chickens were imported from England in the 1800s. They are large quiet birds and can be quite broody, so make good setters and mothers.
For variety, consider including some Ameraucanas. These chickens, derived from the Aracauna breed in the 1970s, lay blue and green tinted eggs. They make a nice addition to any flock.
When ordering baby chicks, I strongly suggest that you order female birds (don’t order unsexed or you may get all males). Also, I would recommend getting chicks vaccinated. You will have the option of requesting that your chicks be vaccinated for Marek’s disease (very common in chickens and highly contagious) and Coccidiosis (a common deadly disease caused by a parasitic infection).
You may want to add a rooster to your small flock but consider your neighbors (and yourself) before doing so. Roosters crow a lot at dawn. If you live near grouchy neighbors who like to occasionally sleep in, you might have a problem.
With a rooster, you will enjoy fertilized eggs (and if hens are broody, more baby chicks), but without a rooster your eggs will be just as nutritious and tasty. Roosters can be aggressive, so consider this before you buy.
I like to order three or four males, and then cull them later, keeping the most amiable rooster and eating the rest.
One more thought. Chickens need good names, and I think vintage old lady names are most appropriate for hens.
Here are some good names if you need inspiration: Lois, Mavis, Evelyn, Phoebe, Amelia, Edna, Vera, Ethel, Etta, Fern, Ruby, Eunice, Phyllis, Sadie, Cora, Eleanor, Ida, Hazel, Edith, Ophelia, Vivian, Mabel, Win ifred, Opal, Harriet, & Nellie.
Chickens not only add a calming presence to your home and property, but they also provide a bounty of wholesome fresh eggs for your family to enjoy.
Get some chickens this spring and make this world a better place. Note – here’s a great source for good chickens – Murray McMurray Hatchery (mcmurrayhatchery. com).
