... and now for something COMPLETELY DIFFERENT!

Some chickens are guaranteed to add another level of fun to your flock. SHABBY CHIC

With its feathery, carefree, wash-and-wear hairdo, the

Frizzle looks like it’s up for just about anything. These fun-loving glamour girls come in a variety of colours, including buff, white, black, blue and silvery grey.

They have a good temperament and make irresistible pets. It’s too bad you can’t take them out with you when you go shopping, to show them off.

180 medium brown eggs/year

RIGHT

All this rock’n’roll Silkie needs is a guitar, a mic and a stage.

FLUFF BALLS

What’s not to love about Silkie chickens? Kooky-cute with fuzzy, hair-like feathers from their afro mop top down to their flared pants, they could be something out of a funky ’70s TV dance show. These girls are charming, friendly and extremely calm, and they don’t mind being handled and passed around, which is good because who could resist them? They’re a great pet for kids.

150 medium cream eggs/year

CHOCOLATE EGGS

Sadly, they’re not real chocolate, but the super-dark brown eggs of French Copper Marans sure do look like the real thing. Some French chefs use only Marans eggs, claiming they’re of superior quality.

Originally bred for meat production, these are big chickens, but they’re generally gentle and well-mannered.

200 large dark eggs/year

FANCY PANTS

Stepping out into the yard with their big, buxom figures and flared feather pants, Cochin chickens always look dressed for success. They come in many different colours, are very gentle in nature and don’t mind being handled, making them great pets. They can be a bit on the hefty side, though, weighing about 5kg. These ladies are a good choice for the colder areas.

100 small, light brown eggs/year