HenniesInMyHeart
Crowing
Where to begin? MY FAVORITE BREEDS post seems fitting, yes?
"I strongly support conservation of heritage and ultra-rare/endangered breeds! Because of this, I have focused my attention on:
1. ENGLISH JUBILEE ORPINGTONS. These beautiful birds are exquisitely patterned! They were bred for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee by William Cook, who developed the original Orpington. They became such a strong symbol of British pride that during WWII, Hitler ordered them all to be killed. They nearly went extinct after the War. Greenfire Farms, known for conserving rare poultry species and bringing ultra-rare birds to the U.S., were the first to import these birds. Like all English Orpingtons, they are unparalleled in their gentle personalities, regal carriage and loving nature, as well as being good dual-purpose production birds. They do well in cold weather, so they do well here in Colorado! Their beauty and gentle affectionate nature immediately stole my heart.
Orpingtons are the ultimate love bugs!
2. CORONATION SUSSEX. Sussex hens are huge, excellent pets and so friendly! They have a very aristocratic gait which matches their heritage. They were bred in England for the coronation of King George. These birds are so soft and fluffy, they have down like a goose and are therefore very cold-hearty birds, which is ideal for Colorado's cold season climate. Sussex are chatty but not loud. They are inquisitive and intelligent and an all-around incredible bird! Sussex are considered to be excellent meat birds, and they are good layers, too.
They found a place in my heart for their personalities and beauty. I just adore them! This is another ultra-rare chicken, and I believe this was one of the first breeds imported by Greenfire Farms. At that time, there were less than 50 birds remaining in the UK. Greenfire has saved so many critically-endangered heritage breeds, and they continue to do so to this day.
Number 3 is a tie for me; either Blue-Laced Red Wyandottes or LF Cochins. The latter are responsible for igniting interest in personal flock-keeping for the joy of it; for valuing chickens as pets or show birds above their utility as livestock. Cochins aren't great layers but they are such sweet and quiet and gentle birds. Who can resist these fluffy balls of cuteness?
Wyandottes are near and dear to my heart because I've owned several as pets over the years, and BLRW phenotype is gorgeous."
Since writing the above, Chicken Math has struck again and now I have SILKIES IN MY HEART, TOO!
Currently, I have 6 Jubilee eggs in lockdown; seeing pips and hearing peeps! I also have 15 BLRW's resting to go into the bator in the morning, and I have black bearded silkie eggs on the way! To be ordered: blue cochins; paint silkies!
Yep, chicken math! See what I mean?
~*Love, Light and Hennie Hugs!*~
