I started out with a rooster and four hens from a private breeder and the hens were all different shapes and sizes. The roo was small for a JG and I lost him this summer. I got hatching eggs at this year's chicken stock from another BYCer and she said she got hers from Sand Hill. Out of the ones I managed to hatch, one of the roos is at that gangly/ugly stage and his neck is a mass of pinfeathers right now. He is a clumsy adolescent, but is already almost as big as the one I lost. He is a very handsome fella even though he does have one crooked toe. A couple of the pullets are looking pretty good as well.
From the reviews I read, it seems that Sand Hill focuses on preserving more of the old heritage breed characteristics over the big fancy show conformation. The original bunch turned out to be excellent layers and foragers and one of the hens is quite chunky and has a nice wide fluffy butt.
I am hoping to cross her with the young roo this spring and get some vigorous chicks that are close to the SOP. Did I mention one of the hens had a new chick when I bought them? She was an excellent mother and all of them attempted going broody this year.
What line you get depends on what you want from them. I don't plan to show, so a sturdy old fashioned type of bird works well for my backyard flock. I want the size they are known for, but also want to retain the dual purpose characteristics and I don't mind waiting for them to grow out. Maria's chickens are impressive, but a bit expensive for me. I've lost enough of them to sudden unexplained death that I am leery of paying too much for something "special".
