August Chick Count

So far this year, seven of my Buff Orpington hens have hatched and raised a total of 53 chicks, mostly Orpingtons and Barred Rocks. It is really exciting to see so many hens that still have those instincts to set and mother chicks! That means two dozen cocks for fall butcher. I'll keep a few pullets and sell the rest. Both breeds are listed by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy as recovering. We also bought five Phoenix this year, a threatened Japanese long tailed breed. They are not very hardy, but Nick and I want to cross them with the Barred Rocks in hopes of a hardier long-hackled chicken. I am lots of fun with these guys!