New Chicks |
New heritage breed chicks have arrived at Stark Hollow Farm.
These will be raised to about 16 weeks and sold as pullets for folks who want laying hens. Each year we purchase 25-50 chicks depending upon our own flock needs, selling the rest to small, back yard or "urban" farmers who like to keep a few laying hens for their personal use. We provide healthy, fully feathered pullets that are on the verge of laying their first eggs. The hens we raise are heritage breeds, purchased as part of our on-farm heritage breed conservancy program. This year's chicks are comprised of all heritage breeds as follows:
Blue Andalusian (Threatened) |
Black Australorp (Recovering) |
Plymouth Barred Rock (Recovering) |
Buff Orpington (Recovering) |
Rhode Island Reds (Recovering) |
Sivler Laced Wyandotte (Recovering) |
Chicks arrive at 1 day old and immediate care must be given for hydration, food, electrolytes and heat. These little gals need to be maintained at 95 degree Fahrenheit. The temperature is reduced gradually over a number of weeks until the birds feather out.
Keep us in mind if you are looking for a small backyard flock this year!! Chicks will be available in early summer.
Breed photos courtesy of Murray McMurray Hatchery.