Buying Chickens
You can always source your chickens from one of the major hatcheries, but we encourage you to find small breeders who typically put more effort into improving the breed they raise. Raising heritage chickens will allow you to keep the breed for generations (something that you won't be able to do with commercial hybrids) and helps save traditional chicken breeds and maintain genetic diversity among chickens.
Our Flock
We have a flock of around 30 chickens. After trying several different breeds, we have chosen to focus on Light Sussex and Black and Blue Copper Marans. We like their hardiness, disposition, and are extremely happy with their egg production.
Light Sussex
Our Light Sussex (pictured in our vineyard) are ideal backyard chickens. They are quick-growing and very hardy. They love to forage and are not bothered by the temperatures (hot or cold) in the Okanagan. They are calm and very personable. They will follow you around and we have not had any problems with aggressive roosters.
Our flock has proven to be consistent layers of large cream-coloured eggs. They start laying between 16 and 18 weeks old and will continue laying for a few years.
Because they are large, quick-growing birds they make ideal birds for the dinner table as well.
Our flock has proven to be consistent layers of large cream-coloured eggs. They start laying between 16 and 18 weeks old and will continue laying for a few years.
Because they are large, quick-growing birds they make ideal birds for the dinner table as well.
Marans
We love our Marans. They are beautiful birds and are regular layers of dark chocolate-coloured eggs. They do not get as big as our Light Sussex and are slower to mature so will not make as good a table bird as the Sussex, but our flock has been regular layers of large dark-brown eggs. They start laying around 18 weeks and will continue laying for a few years.
We have kept various colours of Marans, but have chosen to focus on the Black and Blue Copper Marans. When breeding Black and Blue Copper Marans together you will get some blue-coloured chickens and some black-coloured chickens. We love the combination of colouring and find the feathers ideal for common fly-tying patterns in the Okanagan. They are French Marans so have lightly feathered legs.
We have kept various colours of Marans, but have chosen to focus on the Black and Blue Copper Marans. When breeding Black and Blue Copper Marans together you will get some blue-coloured chickens and some black-coloured chickens. We love the combination of colouring and find the feathers ideal for common fly-tying patterns in the Okanagan. They are French Marans so have lightly feathered legs.
SORRY WE ARE SOLD OUT FOR 2013. THANKS!
If you are interested in buying eggs, chicks, or hens to start your own backyard flock, please contact us.