Free-Ranged & Hormone Free!
Our "Dual Purpose" Brown (egg) Layer/Meat Hen's are at
"Home on the (Free)Range!"
Our 8' X 12' Chicken coop is SOLAR POWERED for both lighting and ventilation.
We keep a constant supply of "JUDSON'S" 16% Layers mash available for our hen's as well as plenty of cool water in the summer and ice-free water in the winter.
Our layers mash consists of:
ground shell corn, soybean meal, molasses, limestone, salt, vitamin A/E/K&B12.
There are NO ANIMAL by-PRODUCTS used in their feed.
When the weather is nice, they love to be outside on "DOEBLER'S" pasture grasses. (Clover, Alfalfa, Orchardgrass & Rye Grass). For a treat, they get fresh broccoli that has flowered or lettuce leaves. They go nut's over cracked corn too! The corn isn't the best thing for them so it's moderated and given only 2-3 times a week in an amount that can be eaten in about 30 minutes.
In 2008/2009 we raised:
Barred Plymouth Rock Hen's
A more traditional breed
In the UK, USA, and Australia, Barred Plymouth Rocks are often among the top show award winners and utility Barred Plymouth Rocks are used in the make-up of many commercial laying hybrids.
The Barred Rock Hen is one of the all time popular favorites in this country.
Developed in New England in the early 1800's by crossing "Dominiques" and "Black Javas", it has spread to every part of the U.S. and is an ideal Brown egg/layer that are not discouraged by cold weather, which is perfect for where our farm in located in North/Central PA.
Their solid plumpness and yellow skin will make a beautiful heavy roasting fowl.
Our hen's have a narrow, clean barring so desirable in apperance.
Their bodies are long, broad, and deep with bred-in strength and vitality.
The chic's are dark grey to black with some white patches on their head and body, but by the time their 12 weeks old, they resemble the identifiable looks of the adult hen's, as seen below.
In late 2009/2010 we raised:
BUFF ORPINGTON HEN'S
A Heavy Layer/Meat Bird
The Buff Orpington breed is classified as a "heavy" breed. The hens get to be about 8 pounds. They are winter-hardy and do not stop laying during the short, cold days of winter. They lay big light pinkish brown eggs.
The breed originated in Orpington, Kent, United Kingdom in the late 1800's. There are Black Orpingtons, White Orpingtons, Blue Orpingtons (somewhat rare), and Buff Orpingtons like ours, here on The Kuhn Family Farm - the Buff color being the most prevalent. They are raised for the purposes of both meat and egg production (a "dual purpose" breed).
Their temperment is calm and friendly, as opposed to flighty, skittish or agressive. I had read that in a flock containing different breeds of chickens, Buff Orpingtons were often "picked on" because of their relative docility. So when we knew we would only be able to have five birds, we decided all five should be Buffs, rather than a mixed flock. Here they are in the afternoon sun. Their coloring really looks golden in natural sunlight.
Our "Farm Fresh" Brown Egg's
Large/Jumbo: $2.00/doz.
They're available at our
on-farm
"Old County Store"
