Breeds You Need
Hundreds of varieties of livestock are suitable to raise on a hobby farm! Here are a couple of chickens.
Orpingtons & Aracaunas
Aracaunas
This unusual breed sports ear tufts and no tail (referred to as rumpless). Tufts are a feather or group of feathers coming out of the sides of the bird’s face around the ear area. They can be one-sided or bilateral (which is preferred). The Araucana lacks a tailbone and oil gland.
The breed originated in Chile and is considered rare in the U.S. This original layer of blue eggs gave way to other blue-egg-laying breeds such as Ameraucanas and Easter Eggers. Decades ago, anything laying a blue or green egg was called an Araucana. Today, some hatcheries still call their colored-egg layers “Araucanas,” which is a misnomer. True Araucanas can only be purchased through independent breeders.
The American Poultry Association approves five colors: Black, White, Golden Duckwing, Silver Duckwing and Black Breasted Red. Aracaunas can also be found in other “unapproved” colors such as blue, mottled and cuckoo. A bantam size also exists.
Araucanas tolerate confinement well, making them ideal for small homesteads. They are also good foragers and fliers and are predator-savvy, making them fine free-range birds. Hens make dedicated mothers; roosters are generally nonaggressive, but good flock protectors, and generally assist in the raising of the chicks! — Trisha Oliba, Araucana Club of America (www.araucana.net)
Orpingtons
All Orpingtons can trace their roots back to Orpington, England, 1886. William Cook developed this hardy, fast-growing breed to be a better-than-average egg-layer and also a good table bird. He preferred the color black as it would exhibit well, hiding dirt and soot that was prevalent all over London during that age. By 1890, Orpingtons were being imported to the Americas in small numbers.
While Black was the first variety created, Buff quickly became more popular in the U.S. Early lines could be found in single and rose comb varieties. By the time the breed was submitted for acceptance to the APA, however, the single comb had won out. The APA accepted the Buff in 1902, Black and White in 1905, and Blue in 1923. A bantam version of the breed is also recognized. Orpingtons can also be found in a variety of unapproved colors and patterns, such as lavender/self-blue, gold laced, silver laced, partridge and Isabel.
Prized for its beautiful colors as well as its fluffy bodies, the Orpington has a wide, round breast and a wide back on a stocky body. Cocks weigh 10 pounds; hens, 8. A typical hen will start laying between 6 and 8 months of age, averaging 200 large cream to light brown eggs a year.
This hardy breed does well in the Deep South when provided adequate shade and cool water during the hot months, and it also adapts very well to the cold and snow. It tolerates confinement well and is docile, friendly and entertaining to watch. — Sarah Batz, President, United Orpington Club (www.unitedorpingtonclub.com)