How hardy are the birds?
Enter by 20 September 2021
Sean and Nicola say they have certain breeds that are as tough as nails. “We’ve never had issues with Koekoeks. It is a good-looking bird and a great egg layer with good meat,” Sean says.
They have noticed that chickens in certain colours of the Easter Eggers are more delicate. “The grey ones don’t seem to thrive. They are prone to a genetic defect called scissor beak – their beaks cross, rendering the birds unable to eat.”
Courtney wants to collect Sebright Bantams, which come from Britain and have a striking appearance. The edges of their white or tan feathers are as if outlined with a black marker – they belong in an oil painting. “But they are highly susceptible to Marek’s disease – a viral infection which can cause severe production loss or even death.”
The problem with South African-bred Wyandottes is inbreeding. “They suffer from ‘inbreeding depression’ and low fertility. The breed wasn’t nurtured properly. Breeders of chickens for profit focus on easier birds, and the more difficult breeds tend to fall out of favour. The more that happens, the less breeding stock there is and the more breeding depression you have. We have done a fair amount of work to source birds from different breeders and bloodlines.”
Bantams are great for pest-control; they are small birds and won’t damage your garden. The Silky Bantams are from China. They have five toes on each foot (most breeds have just four) and blue skin and bones. Silkies are mostly regarded as ornamental, but they make exceptional pets too.
“Can you imagine eating a drumstick and coming across a blue bone?” Nicola quips.
Sean describes their little Polish Crested Bantams as shy. They come from the Netherlands, he says, and they have serious hairdos – their name is derived from the Dutch word ‘pol’, meaning tussock, and which refers to the tuft of feathers on their heads.
We enter a corridor that leads through two rows of chicken runs. The cage system was designed to keep out wild birds which can bring in pests and diseases – and love eating the chickens’ food. All along the runs are boxes where the chickens are able to roost
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and lay their eggs. The Freemans and their staff collect eggs from outside the cages, and the chickens need not be disturbed when they’re supplied with feed or water. This allows for minimum interaction, which is best for their health and safety.
We walk past an Ayam Cemani from Indonesia, the rarest chicken in the world. “They are completely black – the wattle, comb, eyes, feathers, feet and organs. And their blood and meat are a deep mulberry colour,” Sean says. These birds are mostly seen as a conversation piece, but you can eat the eggs and meat. “Some people might love that. I guess it depends on how goth you are!” Nicola jests.
Sean and Nicola have years of experience in raising chickens, cows and sheep for meat, milk and eggs – for themselves and for the public. They live as self-sufficiently and sustainably as possible by making their own soap, harvesting honey and using solar power. Their entire enterprise in fact began with these feathered friends.
“We started off selling chickens. With the income we earned from them, we bought sheep. We raised the sheep and traded them for a cow,” Nicola recounts. “We had to. We were broke back then,” Sean adds.
We stop at the Black Copper Maran cage. Sean points out the young rooster he’d heard earlier. He was practising crowing, but he isn’t ruling the roost quite yet. “Cock-a-doo… cock-adoo...” Sean imitates the lad’s attempt in a high-pitched voice. “They are absolutely beautiful birds, and they lay dark chocolate-brown eggs. Have you read Ian Fleming’s books? James Bond ate only Black Copper Maran eggs,” Sean says, looking chuffed with these large French chickens.
If it’s not blue, green, pink and purple eggs, then it’s blue bones, black skin, funky hats, fluffy boots and eggs fit for a British secret agent. And who are we to argue with James Bond?
Contact livingseeds.co.za
016 100 0824 or 071 911 5159 (Sean)