We recently received a copy of Literary Chickens by Beth Moon and wanted to share a few excerpts with our chicken community. This table read includes several iconic quotes paired with Beth’s beautifully photographed chickens. These striking portraits illustrate a sophistication in poultry that often goes unnoticed. Dr. Jane Goodall gave the book her endorsement and […]

This brute of a breed may seem large and charge but the reality is, they’re amongst the sweetest most docile of breeds. The gentle giants come well equipped with amazing feathered feet and a small rose comb. Making them perfect for colder climates! Originally from India, Brahmas were intended as meat birds. However, it was […]

So you’ve decided on a breed that you just can’t live without and you’ve found a breeder. Sometimes poultry breeds can be so rare that you may only have one choice when it comes to buying stock, so depending on how badly you want that breed, you may have to just accept the buyer’s terms. […]

If I’ve learned anything in chicken keeping over the years, it’s been that it can be difficult to find a specific breed/breeder that you’re looking for. Each spring becomes this treasure hunt of internet searches, e-mails to breeders and poultry club administrators to find a breed I’ve been dreaming about for years. While chicken keeping […]

I remember the first time I saw a Buff Orpington chicken. It was at the State Fair and the bird was MASSIVE! It was in a large display cage and took up most of the space allotted. I fell in love immediately and vowed that one day I would raise these giant chickens. Fast forward […]

The hardest part about writing this post was narrowing down the photo selection. I took over 200 photos while visiting the Ohio National Poultry Show in Columbus, Ohio on November 11th and 12th. Eventually, I had to make a conscious decision to put my camera away and just enjoy the moment. But it was all […]

I feel like sometimes the Leghorn is an overlooked breed. With so many fancy breeds to choose from, a plain, typical, all white bird that lays a white egg is somewhat mundane when compared to Frizzles, Silkies, Polish, or some of the beautiful colors and feather patterns available. But if you’re looking for a constant […]

Chickens have been domesticated for thousands of years and dozens of beautiful breeds have been developed. Some “dual-purpose” breeds like Rhode Island Reds or Barred Rocks lay a good number of eggs and also put on weight well for meat. But MOTHER’S mini-coop is designed specifically for egg production by foraging hens, so we asked […]

This breed profile is proudly brought to you by The Livestock Conservancy! In 1934, white eggs brought premium prices at market because it was believed that white eggs had a finer, more delicate flavor. At that time most of America’s eggs were produced on small farms all across the country, and small farmers preferred dual-purpose […]

This Breed Profile is proudly brought to you by The Livestock Conservancy! The Crèvecoeur chicken is one of the oldest of the standard-bred fowls of France. The breed gets its name from Crève-Coeur en Ange, a small town in Normandy, France. The breed’s name translates as “broken heart” as in the romantic sense. Little is […]