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The Sussex Chicken

By MrAnimal Farm Leave a Comment

speckled sussex chicken in coop

The Sussex Chicken is the perfect addition to just about any flock. They make great meat birds, lay a ton of eggs, or can be the friendliest backyard chicken friend you will ever meet.

speckled sussex chicken in coop

Sussex Chickens are some of the more reliable layers around. They will give you several large, light brown eggs a week. Their size also makes them excellent protein sources for those who like to raise their own food.

The Sussex is very cold hardy but also fares well in warmer climates too. Lets take a deeper dive into some more of this breed’s history, personality, and appearance.

Everything About The Sussex Chicken

Origin And History

The Sussex Chicken is one of the oldest breeds known today. It’s first known place of origin was, appropriately, Sussex, England.

One of the first recorded instances of the Sussex Chicken was in 1845 at an exhibition for the London Zoo. It was billed as the “Old Sussex” or “Kent Fowl”. It is likely that these birds were of the Speckled Sussex variety as it is believed to be the oldest of the initial recognized colors.

The breed standard was set in 1902 and consisted of the Light, Red, and, the previously mentioned, Speckled Sussex.

Appearance

The Sussex is a fairly large bird, with the roosters getting up to 9 lbs. They have a stocky build and look adorable as they waddle around foraging for food.

old speckled sussex hen

Color & Feathering

Sussex Chickens are officially recognized by two of the largest poultry organizations out there. Those organizations are the American Poultry Association (APA) and the Poultry Club of Great Britain.

The American Poultry Association only recognizes three colors while the Poultry club of Great Britain recognizes eight. Those recognized colors are:

American Poultry Association

  • Light
  • Red
  • Speckled

Poultry Club of Great Britain

  • Brown
  • Buff
  • Coronation
  • Light
  • Red
  • Silver
  • Speckled
  • White

Size

The Sussex Chicken is considered to be a large breed. Both the hens and roosters of this breed can get pretty big.

Hens are generally smaller than roosters and that is no different here. However, a Sussex hen can still grow up to 7 lbs on their own! The Sussex rooster can get all the up to a whopping 9 lbs!

You can also find Bantam Sussex Chickens. You may already know that Bantams are typically about one third of the size of the standard breed. For example, a Bantam Sussex hen will weight somewhere around 2.5 lbs while a Bantam Sussex rooster may weigh around 3.3 lbs.

Comb and Wattles

The Sussex Chicken’s comb is a bright red, single comb. They also have a small set of bright red wattles under their beak.

The comb and wattles of a chicken is one of the ways the bird is able to regulate it’s own temperature. Similar to an elephant’s tusks, blood circulates through them, is cooled or warmed and then recirculated back through the body. This keeps the chicken’s core temperature at the desired level.

Miscellaneous

Other notable features of this breed are their bright red earlobes, white legs, white skin, and four toes.

When they were initially bred as table birds, they gained a good reputation as being very flavorful. Their light skin coloring and, oddly enough, number of toes, was a sign that they came from a well sourced flock.

What Are They Like?

One thing that is great about the Sussex Chicken is how docile and friendly they are. They are also a great bird for beginner’s because of how low -maintenance they can be.

By Nikol Lohr, Flickr, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0, https://www.flickr.com/photos/sugarpants/2582591224/in/photostream/

Temperament & Personality

We had a Speckled Sussex hen for almost 8 years. She was incredibly friendly and, honestly, one of the sweetest chickens we’ve ever had.

It is not uncommon for a Sussex to come out and meet you whenever you end up near their coop or wherever they happen to be foraging. Even the roosters are more gentle than other breeds of rooster.

If you have small children or are just getting the family into backyard chickens, the Sussex is an excellent choice. Since they are so docile, small kids will be safe around them as they do not mind being pet or even picked up. They are also low maintenance and will not give you very much trouble keeping them healthy.

Their docile and non-aggressive nature is not without it’s drawbacks, unfortunately. Since they are so mellow, they often find themselves at the bottom of the pecking order. So, if they are paired with more aggressive birds, they will likely get picked on.

Foraging

Sussex Chickens LOVE to forage! They will spend all day in your backyard scratching around, eating any little bug, worms, grubs, and larvae they can find.

They are great at keeping annoying bugs under control, like ticks and other pests. If you have a garden, they will also help keep some of the more invasive bugs from destroying your crops. Just make sure they don’t get a taste of the crops too!

Eggs

Sussex Chickens are very reliable egg layers. They will lay anywhere between three and five eggs per week for you. Their eggs tend to be on the larger side and a light tan or tinted color.

Cold Hardy or Heat Hardy

These chickens are survivors. They are able to live in both hot and cold environments. If you live in a particularly warm climate, they will do fine as long as they have some sort of shade or shelter from the heat.

Those that live in colder climates will see them do just fine. So long as they have ready access to a warm, dry, well ventilated coop, nutritional feed, and clean water, you should see no ill effects during the Winter months.

What Is Their Purpose?

Introducing new chickens to your existing flock is often done for a specific reason. You may want a steady stream of farm fresh eggs. Perhaps, you may want to try out growing your own meat sources. You may just want your own little backyard buddy.

When a chicken has more than one viable market purpose, we call them dual purpose chickens. All that means is that they can be used for both egg production and/or as table birds.

Around here, we call them tri-purpose. Since they are so friendly, they can also be considered pets. Although we don’t really advocate that you eat your pet, so maybe they are still just dual purpose.

Pets

As we mentioned earlier, these chickens are incredibly docile, friendly, and curious. They have never met a stranger and love to be cuddled. Their easy going, mellow personality is a perfect fit for both new chicken farmers as well as seasoned veterans of the craft.

Eggs

The Sussex Chicken is a very productive egg layer. As we mentioned, they will reliably lay large, tinted or light brown eggs.

Your average hen will lay anywhere from 180 to 200 eggs a year. However, there are some hybrid strains that have reported up to 320 eggs in a year! That’s an egg almost every day of the week.

Meat

Sussex Chickens get pretty big. If you are raising and hatching your own chicks, you now have something to do with all of those roosters! In fact, during the time or World War II the Sussex and the Rhode Island Red were the primary meat birds in the United Kingdom.

The Sussex Rooster can get up to 9 lbs. That’s about 3/4 the size of your average Thanksgiving turkey. Even the hens are large enough for a decent meal too. If you retire them once they are no longer laying, a 7 lb hen can make a good stewing hen.

Since they grow so large and are quite the productive layers, Sussex Chickens make great dual purpose chickens.

Common Questions

We cam across some of these questions while researching for this article.

Are Sussex chickens good layers/Do Sussex chickens lay eggs/How many eggs does a Sussex chicken lay?

Yes. Sussex Chickens, when in good health, are reliable egg layers. You can expect anywhere from 200 to 320 eggs per year.

Do Sussex chickens go broody?

Yes. Typically, when the season turns warmer, some varieties of Sussex will go broody.

How big do Sussex chickens get?

Sussex are considered a large breed chicken. The hens can get up to 7 lbs while the roosters get all the way up to 9 lbs.

They can also be a Bantam breed with the hens weighing around 2.5 lbs and the roos around 3.3.

What age do Sussex chickens start laying?

Like most breeds of chickens, they will start laying between 18 and 20 weeks of age.

Are Sussex chickens aggressive?

Not at all. They are very friendly and docile. This is both a blessing and a curse as they are very often at the low end of a flock’s pecking order.

Are Sussex chickens noisy?

Not particularly. Due to their docile nature, the Sussex Chicken is relatively quiet.

How long do Sussex chickens live?

A healthy and well protected Sussex can live anywhere between 5 and 8 years.

Can Sussex chickens fly?

Most chickens are able to get off the ground for short spans. Sussex chickens tend to be on the heavier side of poultry and are not very prone to flying.

Are Sussex chickens cold hardy?

Absolutely! Their large size keeps them well insulated during the cold weather. They are very cold hardy.

What are Sussex chickens used for?

Sussex Chickens are what is known as a dual purpose chicken. That means they are able to be used as meat birds as well as for the high egg production.

Is Speckled Sussex rare?

The Standard size is not particularly rare. However, the Bantam Speckled Sussex is very rare.

Conclusion

If you’ve made it this far you know how great a bird the Sussex Chicken can be!

They are very productive layers. They can be excellent food sources. Or they make perfectly nice feathered companions.

If you want to start a flock or add some new chickens to your current one, you can’t go wrong with the Sussex Chicken.

For more on chickens

Differences Between Ameraucana, Aracana and Easter Egger Chickens

How To Sex A Chicken – 5 Ways To Tell If Your Chicken Is A Hen Or A Roo

When do Chickens Start Laying Eggs? – 3 Signs Your Hen May Be Ready to Lay

Filed Under: Chickens

The Buckeye Chicken

By MrAnimal Farm Leave a Comment

The Buckeye Chicken is a great chicken to add to your flock no matter what you’re looking for. They are big, productive, and some of the most docile and friendly chickens you can find!

buckeye chicken rooster
By Melinda Sayler – Flickr, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4004547

If you want to add in a reliable layer that will give you large brown eggs, the Buckeye Chicken is perfect. They can also make great meat birds due to their large size.

This breed is especially cold hardy and great for any backyard flock! Let’s dig a little bit deeper and learn some more about this breed’s history, appearance, behavior, and more!

Everything About The Buckeye Chicken

Origin And History

The Buckeye Chicken is a purely American Breed of chicken. It was first developed around 1896 in Warren, Ohio by a homesteader named Nelly Metcalf. She tended the poultry for her family and wanted to have a breed that was large, productive, and could stand up to the cold Ohio winters.

After different attempts that were not to her liking, she eventually crossed Barred Plymouth Rocks, Buff Cochins, and some local black breasted red game birds. The result was what we now know as the only APA recognized breed created by a women; the Buckeye Chicken.

There is a bit of confusion behind the name of the chicken. It is often assumed the name comes from the state of origin. Ohio is known as the Buckeye State. However, this breed is also a deep mahogany color which is the same color as the seed from the Buckeye Plant.

The American Poultry Association officially recognized the Buckeye Chicken in 1904. They assigned their own “Standard of Perfection” meaning these chickens could be entered into various poultry competitions across the United States.

The breed has varied in popularity over the years. In the past it was confused with a Rhode Island Red, or dismissed as a strain of the Rhode Island Red. This passive attitude and fluctuation in public interest toward the breed led to a steep decline in the population.

Conservancy Efforts

Buckeye chickens were included in the Slow Foods USA Ark of taste list. The Ark of Taste is a list of heritage foods that are in danger of becoming extinct. Conservation groups have been working to improve the breed and, hopefully, have them removed from the list some day.

As it currently stands, there are around 5,000 breeding pairs in the United States and just 10,000 world wide.

If you want to become involved or are interested in adding some to your flock, there are some organizations dedicated specifically to the Buckeye Chicken. You can see if they have any information for you locally.

  • American Buckeye Club
  • American Buckeye Poultry Club

Appearance

As we mentioned earlier, the Buckeye Chicken is officially recognized by the APA and has a breed standard. If you want to show your chickens, they will have to conform to those guidelines explicitly.

However, if you are just interested in a production bird, a good layer, or just a nice chicken friend, you do not have to worry about the APA’s Standard of Perfection.

bantam buckeye chicken
By Steven Walling – Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7522720

Color & Feathering

The Buckeye Chicken is a rather large breed. It has yellow skin, yellow legs, with four toes on each leg.

The feathering is a deep Mahogany color. It is said that the color of their feathers is the same color as the seeds of the Buckeye Plant. This is one of the theories behind the breed’s name.

In addition to being almost completely mahogany, they will also often have black tail feathers.

For the most part, the hens and the roosters look very similar. The roosters will generally have more feathering, with a bit more pizazz to their plumage. At times, their black tail feathers may even have a iridescent green sheen to them.

The hens are also mahogany with black tail feathers. Their feathering tends to be a bit less extravagant and more neat and trim. As with most chickens, the hens do not need the extra plumage to attract a mate. That is why the roosters look much flashier.

There is not a lot of variation in color for the Buckeye Chicken. It is believed that is one of the leading reasons it has gotten to close to extinction. Not enough color variety is a deterrence to those who want to show their chickens.

Size

There is quite a bit of size difference between the hens and roosters of the breed. As we mentioned, they are considered a large breed. Even the hens are large all the while being considerably smaller than the males.

A standard Buckeye Hen will weigh around 5.5 to 6.5 lbs fully grown. A Buckeye Rooster can get up to 9 lbs!

There are also Bantam Buckeye Chickens. As you may know, Bantam Chickens are much smaller than the standard breeds. For example, a Bantam Buckeye Rooster will probably weigh around the 4 or 5 lb mark with the hens weighing even less.

Comb and Wattles

The Buckeye Chicken has what is known as a pea-comb, just like the Easter Egger chicken. This is something that Nelly Metcalf specifically bred for so that her chickens would be extra cold hardy. The pea-comb is much smaller than most other combs and is much less susceptible to frost bite.

In addition to a red pea-comb, they also possess a much smaller set of red wattles than, say the Rhode Island Red. They also have a pair of bright red earlobes.

Miscellaneous

Like we said above, the Buckeye Chicken has been confused with the Rhode Island Red, or a strain of the Rhode Island Red. While they do look similar, they do have some pretty distinct differences you can use to tell them apart.

The first is their comb. Rhode Island Reds have a single ridge while the Buckeye has a pea-comb.

Buckeyes are also a bit more compact in their build. Finally, they have a slate colored bar across their backs that Rhode Island Reds do not.

One more note of interest; according to The Livestock Conservancy, Buckeye roosters will make all sorts of sounds beyond your typical Rooster crow. One of those sounds is said to be a “dinosaur-like roar”!

What Are They Like?

Don’t let the dino roar scare you off from adding some of these to your flock. They aren’t vicious at all. Let’s take a look at their personality traits, behavior and s few other characteristics.

buckeye chicken hen
By Nikol Lohr, Flickr, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0, https://www.flickr.com/photos/sugarpants/2582591224/in/photostream/

Temperament & Personality

This is one of the friendliest breeds you will ever find. They make great backyard pets because of it, too. It is not unlike them to run right up to you anytime you go outside. They are that friendly!

Another point of their personality is Buckeyes are naturally very curious. It could be argued that the reason they appear to be so friendly is because they are just curious about people, in general. But you would think that curiosity would go away after a while and their friendliness does not seem to.

They work great with other chickens in the flock. This breed is known for not picking too hard on other birds in the flock. Specifically, they do not tend to pull out other chickens’ feathers.

Foraging

Part of the reason these chickens make great backyard chickens is because they are not only great foragers but they also thrive in the grass. You can actually supplement a decent portion of their feed with what they can find on their own foraging in your yard.

They are also quite good at hunting. If you have an older farm house and tend to get mice every now and again, these birds will seriously cut down on their frequency. Buckeye chickens will hunt down and eat any mice they can find!

Eggs

Buckeye Chickens are pretty reliable layers. You can expect to get 3 or 4 eggs from each of them per week. They also tend to lay medium to large sized, brown eggs.

Cold Hardy or Heat Hardy

Because they originated in Ohio, their ability to survive a harsh winter was very important. One of the key characteristics Nelly Metcalf was looking for was for her chickens to be extra cold hardy.

She succeeded. Not only do these birds do great in cold weather but they do not lose size or drop in their egg production with the changing weather. Part of how they are so cold hardy is due to their pea-comb. Single ridge, or other large comb birds, can suffer from frostbite or other issues when it gets too cold.

What Is Their Purpose?

Whenever you introduce new chickens to your existing flock you likely have an intended purpose; whether that purpose is as a pet, as a meat bird, or as a source for farm fresh eggs.

Generally, meat birds are meat birds and layers are just for eggs. The Buckeye Chicken is considered a dual purpose chicken. What that means is that you can use it for more than just one single purpose.

We often like to say some chickens can be tri-purpose. We know the demand for pet chickens has gone up in recent years so we like to point out when a breed is a good candidate for that, as well.

Pets

As we discussed earlier, the chickens are extremely friendly. They will come to greet you when you go outside. Once they realize you are also the source of food, they will get even friendlier. If you want a chicken that is willing to be picked up, carried around, pet, or even cuddled, these chickens are great for that.

Eggs

The Buckeye Chicken is a fairly productive egg layer. They will easily lay between 150 and 200 eggs a year (with some anecdotal reports of 175 – 250/year). That breaks down to around 3 or 4 eggs a week per chicken.

Meat

The Buckeye Chicken is a pretty good sized bird. The roosters can weigh up to 9 lbs. To put that in perspective, the average weight of a Thanksgiving Turkey is around 15 lbs.

Even the hens can be a decent stewing hen once they no longer lay. They get to be up to 6.5 lbs in size.

Both their size and egg production levels make the Buckeye Chicken a great dual purpose chicken.

Common Questions

Here are some answers to common questions about this unique breed.

Are Buckeye chickens friendly?

Yes. They act as if they never got the “be afraid of humans” gene. They are really friendly and genuinely enjoy the company of people.

What color eggs do Buckeye chickens lay?

Buckeye chickens lay brown eggs.

Do Buckeye chickens eat mice?

Buckeye chickens are interesting in that they will hunt and eat mice. That should save on your feed bill!

Conclusion

As you may already know, they Buckeye Chicken is perfect for just about any type of homestead purpose.

They make great meat birds. If you want a lot of eggs, they can provide those. Need a backyard pal? They’ve got you covered. Heck, they can even replace your barn cat!

Hopefully, you are thinking of adding some to your flock soon!

For more on chickens

Differences Between Ameraucana, Aracana and Easter Egger Chickens

How To Sex A Chicken – 5 Ways To Tell If Your Chicken Is A Hen Or A Roo

When do Chickens Start Laying Eggs? – 3 Signs Your Hen May Be Ready to Lay

Filed Under: Chickens

The Welsummer Chicken

By MrAnimal Farm Leave a Comment

Looking for a fun chicken breed to add to your flock?  The Welsummer chicken is a great addition to any flock with their friendly demeanor and speckled eggs.

Welsummer chickens are a chocolate colored egg layer much like Marans and Barnvelders.  So, they are a great choice for an addition to your flock if you like a variety of egg colors in your egg basket.

But, of course, there is more to this breed than just the color of their eggs.  Let’s jump in and learn all about them so you can decide if this is the breed for you!

Everything About The Welsummer Chicken

Origin And History

This is a Dutch breed which originated in the Netherlands.  They are aptly named after the village of Welsum which is the area that they were first developed in.  The first records of this breed come from the early 1900’s.

This bred was originally developed by mixing several different breeds that were already established and popular in the area.  There is not a definitive record of exactly what mix of breeds were used when establishing the Welsummer as a new breed.  However, it is widely accepted and thought that the following breeds had an influence in their origins:  Barnvelders, Cochins, Rhode Island Reds and Leghorns.

Due to their favorable personalities (more on that below) and their beautiful eggs (more on that below, too!), this new breed started becoming more and more popular.  By the early-mid 1900’s, breeders started to import them from the Netherlands to other European countries and eventually they made their way to the US and other countries as well.

As the breed gained popularity, breeders also began to work toward a standard appearance.  The APA breed standard was implemented in 1991.  They are in the Continental class.

Speaking of the breed standard, let’s jump right into their appearance.

Appearance

The Welsummer chicken, as mentioned above, has a breed standard documented by the APA.  If you are going to be breeding or showing your chickens, then they must adhere strictly to the breed standards with no disqualifications.  If you are just keeping them for pets, eggs or meat then meeting the exact standards is not as important, but they should meet some general points to ensure they are purebred.

The males and females, as in any breeds, tend to look quite different.  Are you familiar with the Kellogg’s rooster?  He was a depiction of a Welsummer rooster.

Color & Feathering

This breed comes predominantly in one color which is red partridge.  They likely inherited this from the Cochins and Leghorns in their lineage.  

Partridge is a pattern.  Which can actually be found in several breeds including Silkies.  The partridge pattern looks sort of like muddle stripes.  

The red of the red partridge refers to the general base color of the pattern.  Welsummers end up looking like a mix of brown, gold, red and black.  Most of their brighter colors pepper their neck, shoulders and chest.  And their color gets darker as it goes down their back towards their tail.

In addition to the red partridge color, they also come in Gold and Silver Duckwing.  However, these are less common and not as accepted.

They should have yellow colored legs and red colored eyes, comb, wattles and ear lobes. Additionally they are a clean legged breed, this means they do not have feathers down their legs or feet.

Size

Welsummers come in both large and bantam sizes.  Large fowl is simply a designation for your standard sized chicken breeds.  Bantam chickens are essentially a mini version of the large fowl breed (usually in the 3 or so pound range).

We are going to focus here on the large fowl variation of this breed.  They are considered a medium sized large fowl and typically weigh in the 6 – 7 pound range.

Comb and Wattles

There are actually several different comb types possible depending on the breed.  Some of these include, single comb, double comb, pea comb and walnut comb.  The Welsummer is a single combed breed. This means that their comb is one single strip with several points on the top.  

As mentioned above, their combs and wattles should be bright red to meet the breed standard.

Miscellaneous

A few other points about their appearance.  They are not a crested breed like Polish are.  Also, they should have 4 toes to meet breed standards.

What Are They Like?

It is important to know what a breed is like before adding them to your flock.  Let’s discuss temperament, personality and other important characteristics of the Welsummer now so that you can make the right decision for your flock.

Temperament & Personality

Welsummers tend to be friendly birds.  The girls we have in our flock are pretty tame and don’t mind at all being picked up and handled.  This breed also tends to be very intelligent and calm.  

Some breeds can be pretty spazzy, but not these birds.  Most of the time, our girls are just calmly out free ranging.  They don’t tend to run when you walk up to them.  They are really pretty chill.

Foraging

Although Welsummers can do well in confinement, they are also really great foragers.  The Welsummers that we have in our flock have always been satisfied with utilizing whatever amount of room we have given them.  Meaning, they seem content at times that they are kept in a smaller run.  However, when they are in a free ranging situation, they will spend all day out exploring and free ranging and foraging for food.

So, while this breed can definitely do just fine with confinement, if you have the set-up to allow more foraging they will enjoy that a lot.  And as an extra bonus, this can really help to cut down on your feed cost.

Eggs

Welsummers are well known mostly due to their eggs.  They are great layers of beautiful, large eggs.  For more egg specifics such as color and frequency, keep reading.

Color

This breed lays a really beautiful and uniquely colored egg.  It is a dark brown or chocolate egg that often times will have speckles or spots covering it.

As with other dark brown/chocolate egg laying breeds, the dark color is laid on the egg at the time of laying.  It can actually be wiped partially off if you gather the eggs directly after they are laid.  

Frequency & Amount

They tend to lay around 4 times a week.  Per year, they usually average somewhere in the 160-200 egg range.  Things like weather, health, molting, age and the individual bird can affect the exact amount of eggs that you will get.

In any case, they are really quite good and steady layers.  Of note, while they can be broody at times, it is not common in this breed which is great if you are just looking for a good layer.

Cold Hardy or Heat Hardy

When it comes to egg laying, some breeds are better than others and some breeds do better in certain conditions than others do.  Due to this, there are designations such as cold and heat hardy that can help identify if a particular breed lays well in cold or hot weather.

Welsummers are a breed that combines both of these and they are actually cold and heat hardy. What does this mean?  This means that they can lay well in both the winter and the summer.  

Of note, due to the fact that chickens need a certain amount of light in order to produce a single egg and the winter time has less light in general, even cold hardy breeds may have a decrease in production during winter.  However, cold hardy breeds will not typically stop laying or decrease a super lot during the winter where other breeds will.

What Is Their Purpose?

Whenever you are considering a new breed to add to your flock, it is important to think about what their purpose will be.  If you choose a heavy breed that doesn’t lay well when you want eggs, that won’t be a good fit.  

Here are some of the main purposes that Welsummers are well-suited for.

Pets

Due to their calm and friendly temperaments they make great pets.  So, if you are looking for a bird to add to your flock that won’t run when you walk up to them and won’t mind being picked up and handled, this breed would make a good fit for your needs.

Eggs

As already discussed, their egg laying ability (both amount and color) are one of the characteristics that has caused this breed to become more and more popular.  So, if you are looking for fun colored eggs or simply a good egg layer then this breed is for you!

Meat

Even though Welsummers are not a heavy large fowl, they are still considered a dual-purpose breed.  This means that they are suited for raising for both eggs and meat purposes.  

If the only thing you are looking for is a meat breed, then they may not be the best choice as there are other breeds that better serve that purpose.  However, if you want a breed where you can cull extra roosters and still have good egg laying hens, then this breed would be a good option for your purposes.

Common Questions

Here are some answers to common questions about this unique breed.

What color eggs do Welsummer chickens lay?

Welsummers lay dark reddish brown eggs.  It is not uncommon for their eggs to also have various degrees of darker brown speckles or spots covering them. 

Are Welsummer hens good layers?

Yes they are very good layers of large, dark brown eggs.

Are Welsummer chickens cold hardy?

Yes, they are cold hardy.  This makes them a fantastic choice for your flock if you live in colder climates as some breeds will quit laying completely during cold weather.

At what age do Welsummer hens start laying?

They typically will start laying in the 5 – 6 month age range.

Are Welsummer chickens rare?

Yes, they are rare.  Although they are starting to become more and more common due to their friendly temperament and good egg laying.  They are certainly not the rarest breed, but they are not one you will see every where…..yet.

Are Welsummer chickens noisy?

Yes, they can be noisy.  Of course, this can be a little dependent on the particular chicken.  But, in general Welsummers like to squawk (especially during egg laying) and can get quite loud.

Conclusion

In summary, Welsummers are a well rounded choice for your flock.  They can be a multi-purpose bird.  They are easy to handle as well. 

Ultimately, adding this breed to your flock will depend on what your goals and needs are.  But, they certainly make a good addition for a lot of situations.

Have any questions or have your own Welsummers?  Let us know in the comments below!

For more on chickens

Differences Between Ameraucana, Aracana and Easter Egger Chickens

How To Sex A Chicken – 5 Ways To Tell If Your Chicken Is A Hen Or A Roo

When do Chickens Start Laying Eggs? – 3 Signs Your Hen May Be Ready to Lay

Filed Under: Chickens

How to Vaccinate A Chick

By MrAnimal Farm Leave a Comment

How to vaccinate a chick for Mareks
How to vaccinate a chick for Mareks

Everything You Need To Know To Vaccinate A Chick

Learning how to vaccinate chickens can seem daunting.  However, Marek’s disease can be a devastating illness that can take out an entire flock.

Additionally, Marek’s is most times in the environment already as it can be spread through wind and wild birds to your property.  Birds age 16 weeks and under are most susceptible to developing Marek’s.  

Given this, many people choose to vaccinate their chickens to protect against the disease.  Needles, vaccines, syringes and squawking chicks can seem really intimidating.  However, giving the vaccines really is simple.

Supplies For Chick Vaccinations

Vaccine

This chicken vaccination comes as a wafer and diluent.  We order from First State Vet Supply because they offer a pack where you can split the vaccine into 4 use times.

Syringes

We order Becton Dickinson (BD) brand from Amazon and get the largest gauge (about 22 gauge) needles (the larger gauge is actually a smaller needle).

Glass Jar

We use this to mix the chicken vaccine in.

Process

Mix Vaccine

The vaccine will come with instructions for breaking the wafer in fourths and adding the correct amount of diluent.

Drawing the Vaccine

Each chick will get 1cc of the vaccine mix.  So, you will pull that amount into the syringe.

Deliver vaccine

Marek’s vaccine is given subcutaneously (this means under the skin; not in the muscle).  Therefore, you will pinch the skin up on the back of the chicks neck.  Give the chick a little time to calm down.  Finally, insert the needle into the “tent” of skin (again, not down into the muscle).

These instructions and supplies are specify to the Marek’s vaccine for chicks.  However, these directions are applicable for any subcutaneous shot.  You just need to substitute in that particular vaccine dosing amount.

Need to see how to vaccinate a chick?  Check out our video below:

(While you watch, don’t forget to subscribe!)

Other Chick Vaccinations

Aside from Marek’s, there are some other dangerous, yet avoidable diseases that chickens can face. The manner in which these vaccines are mixed, processed and administered may vary. However, some of the same principles apply when giving an injection.

Avian Encephalomyelitis (AE)

AE is almost always a deadly infection. It is dangerous because it is so easily spread. It is able to be passed from hen to chick as well as from chicken to chicken within the flock. However, it usually impacts freshly hatched chicks within a week of hatching.

The symptoms make the chick appear to be disoriented; stumbling while walking. Eventually they will lose use of their legs and become paralyzed.

The vaccine is generally given at 10 to 15 weeks of age. It is also often bundled with the Fowlpox vaccine and given in unison.

Fowlpox

Fowlpox is not always a deadly disease. It is, however, uncomfortable and can appear to be pretty nasty. It presents itself through blisters and sores on your chickens skin, as well as their comb and wattles.

Mosquitos are the primary culprit for spreading this disease. The vaccine is givein in a chicks wing web at 10 to 12 weeks old.

Infectious Bursal Disease

Infectious Bursal Disease is another issue rooted in a viral infection. This disease is particularly nasty because it will weaken a chicks immune system thus making them susceptible to many other illnesses.

This disease requires a preventative vaccine given between 2 and 3 weeks of age. It is a water additive. It is better to vaccinate as opposed to fighting it once an infection occurs. Once it is in the flock it is notoriously difficult to manage and get rid of.

Newcastle Disease

Presents itself as a respiratory illness. Chickens may start sneezing and couching. You may also notice excess mucus and diarhea. In some cases chickens may become lethargic and have a noticeable decrease in egg production.

In more serious cases chickens may experience severe swelling around their eyes, their wings may hang , some birds will expereince paralysis, and even death.

Newcastle Disease is caused by a virus and is mostly spread through the waste of already infected chickens and other fowl. There is no known cure but there are preventative treatments. A vaccine is recommended for chicks between 2 and 3 weeks in age. It is also recommended to set a chicken vaccination schedule as a booster for your flock.

Prevent Chicken Diseases

This is not a comprehensive chicken disease list. Chickens are often prone to respiratory illnesses. You can vaccinate for many dangerous diseases, but not for everything.

The best way to keep your chickens happy and healthy is to make sure they have a healthy diet and access to clean drinking water.

Additional steps you can take include good biosecurity. That means things like quarantining new chickens before introducing them to the flock, cutting down on chicken pests, and making sure their coop is kept clean and well ventilated.

For more about chickens

incubator with olive, blue, light brown, pink, brown, and chocolate colored eggs
chickens eating apples
salmon faverolle
tick on leaf
ayam cemani rooster
speckled sussex chicken in coop

Filed Under: Chickens Tagged With: chickens, health issues, how to, illness, Marek's, vaccines

All About The Polish Chicken

By MrAnimal Farm Leave a Comment

Have you ever seen a Polish chicken before? With their friendly personalities, docile behavior, and crazy “hair style” they make a wonderful (and eye-catching) addition to any backyard flock!

polish chicken

The Polish Chicken is one of those breeds that you have to see to believe. They come in a wide variety of colors and sizes. But, most notably, they have a very large and impressive crest of feathers on the top of their head.

But the details of this unique and mysterious breed do not stop there. Let’s dive a little deeper into everything about the Polish chicken.

Everything About The Polish Chicken

As with any breed of chicken, it is easiest to understand them when you break their characteristics down into smaller segments. We have done this and made 4 categories; history and origin, what do they look like, what are they like (personality and temperament), and what are they used for (production, eggs, meat, etc).

Let’s start with their history, as it is pretty interesting.

History and Origin

To start things off, the Polish chicken may not actually even be Polish in its origin. How’s that for mysterious?

Obviously, when you hear the name, you assume that is where they come from. And, it is a working theory. However, there is very little documentation on the early days of these birds so it is not definitive.

Another working theory on their name is that it is derived from the Middle Dutch word pol which means “head”. This is likely a reference to their dome shaped head or the ornate appearance of their head feathering, or crest.

Two of the most popular beliefs surrounding their appearance in Eastern and Central Europe is that they were either brought to Poland by Asian Mongols or other immigrants brought them to either Spain or Italy in the 1500s.

We do have evidence that the breed is a very old breed. Chickens that look very similar are seen in some paintings from the 16th century. There are also several Dutch and Italian paintings ranging from the 16th to the 18th centuries featuring what are obviously Polish chickens.

Breed & Variety

Polish chickens come in both large fowl and bantam sizes.

Large fowl are what we would consider to be a normal or standard size chicken. Bantam breeds are bred specifically to be a much smaller size. They generally retain the same physical characteristics just in a smaller package. You may see them referred to as mini chickens.

Polish chickens, whether large fowl or bantams, come in a couple of different varieties. They can be bearded, non-bearded, or frizzle. Although, the American Poultry Association (APA), considers frizzle to be a trait and not a separate variety.

Recognition

The APA is on record stating they made their first appearance in the US sometime between 1830 and 1840 before being officially recognized by the APA in 1874. Subsequent variations of the breed were then recognized in 1883, 1938, and finally in 1963.

What Do They Look Like?

The first thing you will notice about Polish chickens are their magnificent crests.

Feathering, Comb, & Wattles

The Polish chicken is most famous for it’s wild hair-do. They look like a fun throwback to the 1970s disco era.

Unlike most chickens, the hens and the roosters both sport the same impressive head crests. The crest is made up of a large patch of feathers that grow straight up and then fall over due to their weight.

It is very impressive to look at but this unique level of style does not come without its own set of drawbacks. Mainly, it seriously impairs their vision, which should not at all be surprising.

Hidden underneath that large crest is a small set of white earlobes and some red wattles; although, the wattles are visible on the rooster. You are not likely to see either of them without picking them up and really searching. What is visible, however, is a small, red V-shaped comb just before their crest begins.

Polish chickens, like other breeds, use their comb and wattles to help them regulate their body temperature; similar to larger livestock and their horns. What happens is blood flows through their comb/wattles and, due to the thinner, looser skin, is warmed or cooled. It then runs throughout the rest of their body keeping them at a steady temperature.

Color

As we mentioned above, Polish chickens come in a couple of sizes, markings, and colors, as well as varieties. The APA officially recognizes the following:

Large Fowl (bearded)Large Fowl (non-bearded)Bantam (bearded)Bantam (non-bearded)
Black Crestedxxx√
Buff Laced√√√√
Golden√√√√
Silver√√√√
White√√√√
White Crested Blackx√x√
White Crested Bluex√x√

Additionally, Polish chickens can also come in several other colors and patterns that are not officially recognized yet. Some of those colors are:

  • Black
  • Blue
  • Blue Laced
  • Chamois
  • Creole
  • Gold Laced
  • Red
  • Silver Laced
  • White Crested Cuckoo
  • White Crested Red
  • White Splash

Size

As we’ve mentioned, Polish chickens are both a large fowl and a bantam sized breed.

The large fowl chickens will range in height from around a foot, or 12 inches to 1 1/4 foot, or around 15 to 16 inches. The hens will usually grow to be 4 to 5 pounds. The roosters are a bit larger, usually weighing up to 6 pounds.

As we mentioned, bantams are considered mini chickens so they will be much smaller.

What Are They Like?

We split this into two categories; personality and temperament.

Personality

Polish chickens are a very docile breed. They are not overly timid and appreciate being around humans. Unlike most chickens, these birds could be considered friendly. Especially when raised as chicks, they will not mind too terribly much if you pick them up and carry them around.

They can be a little skittish when startled. Since they do have impaired vision due to their crests, they will startle a little easier than other breeds. But, if they see or hear you coming (with plenty of warning) they are less likely to run away.

Temperament

Due to their size and poor vision, they are typically pretty low on the pecking order when you have a flock with several different breeds of chicken.

This may play a role in why they are so docile. It is not in their best interest to be overly aggressive as most chickens outweigh them by a good amount.

Polish chickens are not cold hardy at all. This breed does much better in warmer climates than they do in colder areas. If you happen to live in a cold area you will want to make sure that they have a warm shelter.

If you plan to hatch Polish chicks you will likely need an incubator. Since the hens were bred as ornamental/show chickens and not for their egg production, they are not as inclined to go broody. That means, they will not sit on the eggs long enough for them to hatch.

What Is Their Purpose?

Some breeds of chickens are what we call dual purpose. That essentially means that they are used for both eggs and meat production. Since these chickens are so small, they do not make good candidates for meat birds.

However, they do have more than one single, egg laying function. In fact, laying eggs is a secondary function to why most people breed Polish chickens.

The primary reason people keep Polish birds?

Show

Originally, in France, Polish hens were known to be good egg producers. But, since they have such a unique appearance, that became the more desired feature.

Since then, many breeders, 4-H members, students, and backyard hobbyists, have raised these chickens specifically for the show ring. That is where terms like “APA recognized” come from. These are the chickens that qualify for chicken shows.

Eggs

Initially, Polish chickens in France were known to be prolific egg producers. But, since they are show chickens primarily, that trait has been bred out.

However, that does not mean they are bad egg layers. They typically will lay a medium to large sized egg, depending on the size of the hen. A healthy hen will also lay around 2 or 3 eggs a week or around 150 eggs a year.

Pets

A third reason people keep these chickens is as pets. You can keep two or three of them in your backyard. With their friendly personality they make good companions and are great conversation starters for gatherings.

Polish chicken chick

What Care Do They Need?

As with any chicken, Polish chickens need a certain level of care from you. It is our responsibility, as farmers, breeders, and homesteaders, to make sure their dietary, living, and health needs are met.

Diet

Many chickens love to free range and forage on their own. If left to their own devices, they love nothing more than to peck and scratch in the grass and dirt for bugs, grubs, and anything else that looks tasty.

But, they also need consistency. It is best to make sure that they are getting all of their required nutrients. You can easily do this by making sure they have access to a high quality chicken feed.

Coop

All chickens need a safe enclosure over night. Chickens make a great late night snack for many predators out there. If they do not have a secure coop, they do not have much of a fighting chance against most things that will attack.

You will also want to make sure their coop is well ventilated and cleaned regularly. For Polish chickens, specifically, you will also want to make sure that their coop is warm enough for them to make it through winter.

For space, you want to make sure each chicken has around 2 or 3 square feet of space (ours do better with around 4 sq ft). If you have an enclosed run for them, they will need around 12 square feet of space each.

Polish Chicken Health Issues

Polish chickens do have a few unique health concerns. We’ve already mentioned that they do not have great eyesight due to their large feather crests. This makes them exceptionally vulnerable to predators.

Their crest is also a great place for lice and mites to live. You will need to check them regularly to make sure they are not infested with chicken pests.

Again, this issue centers around their head. Polish chickens have a dome shaped skull which is different than most breeds of chicken. When they hatch, their skull is not completely formed and they have a large soft spot.

This soft spot never completely closes up. If they are on the receiving end of any head trauma, like a peck with a beak, they can potentially suffer from brain damage.

What Breeds Are Some Similar Breeds?

If you can’t get enough of their unique look, there are a few other breeds that share similar crest qualities.

Houdan

Houdan chicken
By Eponimm – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=24881892

Silkies

Partridge Silkie Hen
This is one of our Partridge Silkie Hens.

Sultan

Sultan chicken
By Eunice – maltipoo hen?, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4202468

Common Questions

Here are some of the most common questions we found while researching for this ultimate guide.

Are Polish chickens good pets?

Yes. They are quite friendly and docile. Their large crests do impair their vision which can cause them to startle easy. But, with adequate warning, there should be no problem keeping them calm.

How big do Polish chickens get?

Polish chickens are a smaller breed of bird. They usually atsand around 1 to 1 1/4 feet tall. The hens grow between 4 and 5 lbs while the roosters are slightly bigger at around 6 lbs.

What color eggs do Polish chickens lay?

Polish chickens lay medium to large sized white eggs.

Are Polish chickens aggressive?

Not particularly. Roosters in general can be aggressive when they feel threatened or territorial. But overall, Polish chickens are not aggressive.

Are Polish chickens noisy?

They are not really any noisier than any other breed of chicken. They tend to be pretty calm.

At what age do Polish chickens lay eggs?

They typically start laying after around 5 months of age.

How long do Polish chickens live?

Their lifespan is usually around 7 or 8 years.

Are Polish chickens considered Bantams?

Not exclusively. However, there are Bantam size Polish chickens.

Can you eat Polish chickens?

You can but they are not very big. They are an ornamental, or show, bird and not a dual purpose breed.

Are Polish chickens winter hardy?

Their feathering is not as suitable for cold climates as other breeds. They do not fare well in cold weather.

Conclusion

If you have read this far, you definitely understand what a fun and unique breed of chicken the Polish chicken is. They are fun to look at and make great backyard companions.

Consider adding a few to your flock or maybe build your own flock of just Polish chickens. Whether you want a pet, a moderate egg layer, or are thinking of trying out the chicken show circuit, these chickens are a great choice!

For more on chickens

Differences Between Ameraucana, Aracana and Easter Egger Chickens

How To Sex A Chicken – 5 Ways To Tell If Your Chicken Is A Hen Or A Roo

When do Chickens Start Laying Eggs? – 3 Signs Your Hen May Be Ready to Lay

Filed Under: Chickens

Can Chickens Eat Cherries?

By MrAnimal Farm Leave a Comment

two chickens eating

You love your chickens and you want them to not only be healthy but you also want them to be happy. What better way to make them both than to give them tasty, healthy treats like cherries. But, can chickens eat cherries?

two chickens eating

Chickens get the vast majority of their nutritional needs from the feed you give them and on a healthy dose of bugs and other things they can catch. But, I bet they sure would like a little more variety in their diet.

Let’s take a look at whether or not chickens can eat cherries.

Can Chickens Eat Cherries?

In short, yes. In fact, they like them A LOT!

Are Cherries Poisonous To Chickens?

Technically, yes, but practically, no. Let us explain.

There is a bit of fear out there that cherries can be poisonous because the pits contain small amounts of cyanide. While cyanide is obviously harmful, it is not a clear and present danger for your chickens.

It is the pit, and not the actual cherry, that contains cyanide. Your chicken would not only need to eat the pit and digest it, but they would need to eat a large quantity in order for the cyanide to have any effect.

This is not a huge danger because chickens will typically peck around the pit and only eat the flesh of the cherry. In instances where they do consume the pit, most often, they just pass it with no issues.

Are They Healthy For Chickens?

Yes, they most definitely are healthy. They contain a wide variety of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are vital to a chicken’s health and wellbeing. Some of these nutrients, as well as their health benefits, include:

  • Vitamin A: growth and reproduction
  • Antioxidants: an abundance of benefits to fertility, in vivo, embryo development, postmortem meat, etc.
  • Anthocyanins: anti-inflammatory as well as other pharmacological benefits
  • Boron: bone and egg quality
  • b-vitamin complex: metabolism & energy (Thiamine, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine, Cyanocobalamin)
  • Calcium: bone and eggshell
  • Choline: fat metabolism in the liver
  • Vitamin E: neurological function
  • Iron: anemia
  • Vitamin K: helps with blood clotting and protects against coccidiosis
  • Magnesium: prevents perosis
  • Melatonin: “regulates feed consumption” and the “brain’s biological clock” plus and many other benefits
  • Potassium: nerves and muscles

Can Baby Chicks Eat Cherries?

It won’t hurt them in small amounts but it’s not recommended.

Chicks are experiencing a period of rapid growth and need a fairly specific diet to meet their nutritional needs. It is better for them to stick to a good chick/starter feed until they reach adulthood.

Can Ducks Eat Cherries?

For the most part, poultry will have the same nutritional needs. There are some exceptions but in this case, yes, ducks can eat cherries.

Can Chickens Eat Cherry Tree Leaves?

Cherry tree leaves, like cherry pits, can also contain cyanide. This means that they can be harmful when consumed by livestock. That includes cows, goats, horses, and, yes, even chickens.

However, not all leaves are dangerous. If your animals are eating dried and dead leaves that have fallen to the ground, they will be perfectly fine. The same for is they eat healthy green leaves or even the bark of the cherry tree.

The times when the leaves can be toxic are when they are wilting and still hanging from the tree. Here’s an explanation as to why from Michigan State University:

“The toxic component in the leaves is prussic acid, a hydrogen cyanide toxin that is only formed when glycosides in the leaves are combined with hydrolytic enzymes. Under normal circumstances, the two components are stored in separate tissues, but can become poisonous in…wilted cherry leaves.”

Can Chickens Eat Cherry Blossoms?

Absolutely! The cherry blossoms, unlike the wilting leaves, pose no threat of poisoning to your chickens. The will likely, be drawn to their bright colors and other insects that also like the blossoms.

Can Chickens Eat Wild Cherries?

Yes. Wild cherries do not pose a health risk to your chickens.

Can Chickens Eat Sour Cherries?

Yes. Just like wild cherries, sour cherries are perfectly fine for chickens to eat. In fact, the only difference between the two are the amounts of Vitamin C and Vitamin A. Sour cherries have a slightly higher concentration.

rice

How To Feed Your Chickens Cherries

There are a variety of ways that you can feed cherries to your chickens. Some of them are:

Dried

Probably the most worry free method of feeding cherries to your chickens is to give them to them dried. You don’t have to worry about them eating any pits or choking on a full sized cherry.

Pitted

Pitted cherries obviously remove the dangers around choking. You can do this by carefully slicing the cherry in half with a knife and removing the pit, by hand. They also sell devices called pitters that make this a little easier and less messy.

Whole

Chickens are completely capable of safely eating cherries without your help. Generally, they will just peck around the pit and just eat the cherry. So, if you want, you can just give them whole cherries.

From The Tree

Simpler yet, you can skip the part where you even pick the cherries. Build their run around a cherry tree and they will pick up all the excess cherries that fall on the ground.

Snack Blend (Chicken “Trail Mix”)

If you want to make a special treat for your chickens you can make a special chicken snack mix or “chicken trail mix”. To do this you give them even ratios of dried cherries, crushed oyster or egg shells, and dried meal worms.

Boredom Buster

If you want to not only give them a healthy snack but also a bit of entertainment, you can make a toy out of it. Just run a needle and thread or fishing line through the center of several cherries and make a whole string of them.

Then, hang the string somewhere your chickens can get to it and they will have a blast pecking at them while the cherry string swings around. It’s also pretty funny to watch and a form of entertainment for yourself.

Quick Tips For Chicken Treats

We get a lot of questions about the various types of things that chickens can and cannot eat. Here are some of our recommendations.

What Fruits Are Safe For Chickens?

We all just assume that fruits and veggies are always super healthy. For us, that is mostly true. We have larger bodies and different metabolic rates. For chickens, things work a bit differently.

Fruit has a lot of glucose, aka sugar. That isn’t inherently bad, it just means that they should only consume fruit in small amounts to avoid spiking their blood sugar and becoming hyperglycemic.

This can be a bigger problem with many dried fruits; cherries being one of the exceptions. Dried fruit has considerably less moisture so the sugar content is much more concentrated.

Too much sugar in these forms can cause digestive issues and even, in some cases, death.

Some fruits that are safe for your chicken to eat are:

– Apples (not the seeds)

– Bananas

– Cantaloupe

– Cherries

– Currants

– Peaches

– Pears

– Watermelon

Vegetables & Gourdes

Veggies do not have the same quantities of sugar as fruit. However, they still should be given in moderation.

chloe (goat) and chickens fighting over garden scraps

Some safe vegetables for chickens are:

– Pumpkin

– Tomatoes (even though the are technically a fruit)

– Yellow Squash

– Zucchini

Berries

Chickens can’t get enough of berries. In fact, it’s always a race on whether we get to harvest our blackberries or if they do.

Seriously though, berries, like fruit, contain a large amount of fruit and should be given sparingly. If your chickens get to your blackberry bushes before you do, it’s not likely to be a problem split between the flock.

Some berries they can eat are:

– Blackberries

– Blueberries

– Mountain Ash Berries

– Mulberries

– Raspberries

– Rowan Berries

Berries chickens should NOT eat

Both elderberries and gooseberries can be deadly if your chickens eat them.

“What Can Chickens Not Eat?” List

Here are a few things your chickens should not eat.

  • Acorns: acorns contain tannins. The tanic acid present in acorns and oak leaves can lead to vomiting, diarhea, and possibly death.
  • Alcohol: no. just no.
  • Apple seeds: the cyanide in them can be toxic to your chickens
  • candy: the refined sugar in candy is even worse than the sugar content in dried fruit
  • dry beans: contain phytohaemagglutinin which is toxic. You MUST cook all beans in order to be safely eaten by your chickens. Soaking is not enough.
  • jam, jelly, or preserves: just like candy; too much sugar content
  • pesticides: don’t give your chickens poison
  • raw/green potato peels or skins: green potato skins contain solanin; a toxin. When consumed, it can be deadly for your chickens.
  • tea bags: also contain tannins

For more on chickens

Differences Between Ameraucana, Aracana and Easter Egger Chickens

How To Sex A Chicken – 5 Ways To Tell If Your Chicken Is A Hen Or A Roo

When do Chickens Start Laying Eggs? – 3 Signs Your Hen May Be Ready to Lay

Filed Under: Chickens

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