A New Batch of Biddies

'Tis the season for spring peepers!  We brought eight pullets home from the feed and seed store today - four Donimiques and four Ameraucanas.

Our current small flock is made up entirely of Dominiques ... 7 hens and 1 rooster.  The Dominique (aka Dominicker) is often considered America's first chicken breed, developed in New England in the early 1800's. They are often confused with Barred Rocks, but look carefully and you'll notice that Barred Rocks have a single comb while Dominiques have a rose comb. Dominiques are supposed to be good brooders and attentive mothers, but our Dominiques have never "gone broody". The breed is tolerant to cold weather and ideal for free-range farms. They are medium-sized chickens with black and white barred plumage.  They lay beautiful and delicious brown eggs.

We're integrating the flock with the addition of easy-to-keep Ameraucanas. The muffed and bearded Ameraucanas are a small breed of chicken, with a pea comb, red earlobes, and variable plumage.  They're known for their medium-sized blue / blue-green eggs (not to be confused with the blue egg-laying Araucana) and an impressively long laying period.  Colored eggs will add some variety to our life!  Blue eggs and ham, anyone?