Chickens, Hatching Eggs, and More
We raise many different breeds of poultry year-round on our Virginia farm. All of our birds are healthy and parasite-free. Unlike some large commercial hatcheries, we do not debeak our chicks or clip their wings. Most of our customers have small, backyard flocks, so they appreciate that the chickens we sell are raised to be friendly and calm around people. Most localities, such as Henrico and the city of Charlottesville, will allow you to keep some hens for a backyard egg supply, and they will lay just fine without the presence of a rooster. If you would like to incubate eggs and hatch chicks yourself, we have fertile hatching eggs for sale as well. Incubating eggs can be shipped to any location in the state of Virginia, but we do not ship anything that has already hatched. We also offer poultry supplies such as predator-proof chicken coops, laying boxes, hanging feeders, waterers, all-natural feed, grit, oyster shell, and much more.
Baby chick availability for Spring of 2013:
We have one group of youngsters that still need heat. Please call ahead on the day you are coming for availability/price of specific breeds in this group.
Additional information (please read): There is a Virginia state law that requires the purchase of no fewer than 6 baby chicks at once. All chicks under 8 weeks of age are subject to this minimum. You can choose any combination of breeds that you like, as long as the total number of chicks comes to at least 6. Also, please keep in mind that chicks will need a warm, safe environment away from older chickens until they are old enough to withstand the elements and pecking order.
Older pullet availability for Spring of 2013:
Barred Rock
Barred Rocks are a hardy American breed with a striking black & white feather pattern. They are good layers of light brown eggs, and will occasionally decide to "set" (hatch) their eggs. The hens have bold personalities and tend to rule the roost. Males are sometimes aggressive but very beautiful, with more white in their feather patterns than the females. Quite bright and adventuresome, Barred Rocks make excellent foragers and are one of our favorite breeds.
Buff Orpington
A calm, laid-back English breed that loves hatching eggs and taking care of the chicks. Hens are a soft golden color and lay large, light brown eggs. Roosters are a brilliant, shiny gold with flowing tails and lovely crowing voices, and are seldom aggressive. The hens are friendly and excellent with children. A few Buff Orpingtons make a wonderful addition to any flock, but keep in mind that they can be rather stubborn about their desire to be moms, so unless you plan on allowing them to hatch chicks regularly, it would be wise to keep them in a mixed flock with other breeds that do not have a strong nesting instinct.
Red Star
This is a hybrid breed, with Rhode Island Red and Delaware parentage. Hens are light auburn in color, with some white or gold highlights. They are excellent layers of big brown eggs, and have friendly temperaments. Roosters are mostly white, with a dark red "saddle" mark on their backs. Because they are hybrids, a male and female Red Star will not hatch Red Star chicks, so most people choose this breed strictly for their exceptional egg-laying ability and calm demeanor. Good choice for children!
Ameraucanas/Easter Eggers
Often called the "Easter Egg Chicken", because these attractive hens lay eggs in pastel shades of blue, green, and olive. The eggs are darker colored when the hens first start laying, and lighten gradually as the birds age. The yolk and white are normal color and taste just like other eggs, although some of our customers say they can tell a difference. The birds themselves come in a beautiful array of patterns and colors, including solid white, but their legs and feet are always olive green or blue. Most Ameraucanas have muffy little beards that make them look like Muppets. They do not typically hatch their eggs, but there are exceptions. The strain that we currently offer is bred for egg-laying rather than exhibition, so if you're a serious show-breeder they may not suit your needs. However, for the casual hobbyist, these birds are lots of fun and perfect for anyone who wants something different.
Black Star
This is a hybrid breed, with Rhode Island Red and Barred Rock parentage. Their color can range from completely black to varying degrees of a pretty golden lace pattern (up to approximately half gold), with a beautiful green/purple iridescence on the darker feathers. They are curious, people-oriented chickens and excellent layers of big brown eggs, but do not usually decide to incubate their eggs and hatch chicks. Because they are hybrids, a Black Star hen and rooster will not produce Black Star chicks.
Blue and Blue Splash Marans
This French breed is relatively new to America, and is still fairly rare. Marans lay eggs that vary from very dark brown to lighter brown with dark brown speckles, and belong to a class of poultry known as the "Chocolate Eggers". The eggs are the darkest in color when the hens have first started laying (around the age of 6 to 7 months), and gradually lighten in color until the birds take a short break from laying. When the eggs resume, they will again be a very dark color. The varieties we have are blue, which is a lovely smoky gray, and Blue Splash, which is white with flecks of bluish gray. Hens are quiet, well-mannered, and make very good setters. Marans are a large breed; hens weigh 6 to 7 pounds, and roosters top out at 9 to 10 pounds. Due to their extreme size, Marans roosters (although gentle and mild-mannered) should not be kept with smaller breeds of hens. Because of their rarity in Virginia, as well as our limited supply, Marans cost about twice as much as most of the other breeds of chickens we have for sale, but for the collector or serious hobbyist, a couple of these stately hens are a fun and beautiful addition to the flock.
Fertile Hatching Eggs
If you would like to incubate eggs yourself (a great learning opportunity for kids!), we offer fertile hatching eggs for $2.00 to $6.00 each, depending on breed (call ahead to check availability of specific breeds). If you are unable to drive to the farm to pick them up, we can ship fertile eggs to any location in the state of Virginia. Shipping and packaging charges are $12 for up to 1 dozen eggs; add $3 for each additional dozen. They are shipped USPS Priority Mail.
Hatching eggs will be on sale for half price starting April 2nd.
You may call ahead and prepay for eggs to pick up on a specific day, if you'd like to.
Click the photo to see our ready-made hen houses. Click the photo to see our poultry accessories.