Our Heritage Breeds
About Our Poultry:
We breed and have available a large variety of quality heritage poultry breeds, with pullets & eggs available from most of the larger more popular breeds.
We often have spare hatching eggs to supply those that want them, as well as newly hatched chicks from most of our breeds from September - February.
We are very pleased to be able to breed & supply poultry of such a high quality, reared not only for their good looks but also their laying ability. We try to choose not only the best but the biggest birds that we can to breed from so that the males can be reared not only for breeding but also making excellent size table birds as well.
We breed and have available a large variety of quality heritage poultry breeds, with pullets & eggs available from most of the larger more popular breeds.
We often have spare hatching eggs to supply those that want them, as well as newly hatched chicks from most of our breeds from September - February.
We are very pleased to be able to breed & supply poultry of such a high quality, reared not only for their good looks but also their laying ability. We try to choose not only the best but the biggest birds that we can to breed from so that the males can be reared not only for breeding but also making excellent size table birds as well.
Orpington - Blue, Black, Buff & White
The Orpington are one of the first breeds we owned here and are perhaps our most favorite breed of all time.
We have have found them to be the most gentle & docile of all the breeds, and should display a big hooped petticoat of fluffy feathers. They also make great pets & egg layers alike. Generally a great forager, with medium size eggs of a lightly tinted pinky - brown colouration. . Our Orpingtons are also one of our most popular breeds we have here to date. Being a large dual purpose bird that are greatly desired not only for their looks, but also for their easy going cruizey docile nature. They are big, round & fluffy and are far too heavy to even consider flying once fully mature. Barnevelders - Silver & Gold Double Laced
Barnevelders are a heavy breed that originated in the Netherlands. They lay lovely large medium to dark brown eggs - probably the darkest brown you are likely to find in NZ if you are aiming for a chocolate box selection of egg colours in your backyard flock. They are good foragers and are adventurous and keen to find plenty of bugs under trees and hedges. The silvers are slightly smaller then the golds, as in NZ they were developed from the bantam versions.
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Muscovy Duck
Originally native to Mexico, this large tropical bird adapts well to colder climates and thrives here in New Zealand and other countries such as Fiji.
A favorite with those that want a large dual purpose bird, males reaching large weights for the table. Muscovy can & do occasionally fly, usually only short distances, choosing not to venture far from their feed source! These birds are not a duck at all, they are simply 'Muscovy' & are more closely related to a Goose than a duck - they do not Quack, making only gentle hissing sounds, & live in family groups communicating with wagging tails & gently hissing sounds, with beak mimicking head movements! They have proven themselves to be both excellent layers & extremely prolific breeders. With females making excellent mothers, hatching & rearing their own ducklings well into adulthood.! Araucana - Lavender & Black
A smaller type of breed,
lighter - medium size, originating from Chile, which are a little more shy than their larger cousins - with a uniquely coloured turquoise egg shell. Specific features are feathered ear tufts, muffs and beards, with a very much reduced comb. A breed which lack very few secondary sexual characteristics like comb, wattles or tail coverts to distinguish males from females at a young age. They sport a flatter type of pea comb, the males combs should have the appearance of three ridges and as they mature the middle ridge will become more highly prominent. Both male & females should have a complete absence of wattles. Generally good foragers, these guys are more often than not kept for their unique looks, and for their lovely blue/green coloured eggs. Average - medium range layers of smaller - medium size turquoise blue / green coloured eggs. |
Barred Plymouth Rock
Perhaps more commonly known & often sold as 'Barred Rocks'
This is one of the most popular favorites with many poultry keepers. Well known as an excellent dual purpose breed in many backyard flocks in New Zealand. Originating in New England in the 19th century. A heavy breed kept not only for their Zebra striped appearance, but also as an excellent utility bird for both eggs and meat. They are great layers of cream - light brown eggs, and have yellow skin & legs with a single comb. A very heavy, large friendly bird, who are very good foragers. You can't go past this stunning breed with their beautiful black & white appearance, which certainly makes them a very striking breed to have around the farm or back yard.! Sussex - Light & Coronation
Our Light Sussex are beautiful heavy hens, with beautiful black collars and tails, compared to the Coronation Sussex which have lovely soft grey collars and tails. Both varieties lay well, and the roosters make great table birds.
Leghorn - Blue & Splash
Leghorns are prodigious egg-layers, laying up to 300 eggs in their first years, and perhaps one of the best known breeds of chicken the world over, although the brown & white verities are known to be more flighty, the blue coloured leghorns are proving to be a much more calm bird, while still maintaining their excellent laying status.
Our blue line are very inquisitive chatty characters, great foragers and while in general not as docile as their larger cousins, still very easy to keep. Nothing comes close to the Leghorn for egg laying popularity, they are bright, alert & active, so if you are looking for a reliable, prolific producer of eggs, you cannot go past this breed. An excellent choice if you want great layers with an almost seemingly complete lack of broodiness. |