Ok, so it's 28 degrees out this morning. Still, we're in the midst of our annual "Spring is Coming" sunny respite from the PNW rain. And it's February for heaven's sake! Time to start buying garden seeds and considering a backyard flock. What are the options in backyard hens? Pretty dang endless when you start looking. But, as you read this website, you'll already be familiar with the Eugene Backyard Farmer at 5th Ave. & Washington. Bill's first shipment of chicks arrives next Friday on February 10.

Bill brings chicks in over the entire summer season and they include a variety of terrific layers with terrific attitudes. Here are the first four breeds that will arrive next Friday:

Ameraucana (photo top from Cackle Hatchery)
Varieties: Black, Blue, Blue-wheaten, Brown-red, Buff, Silver, Wheaten, & White
Hen Wt: 5.5 lb/2.5 kg
Origin: South America
Egg Color: shades of blue & blue-green
Laying: average – above avg.
Temperament: Calm & non-aggressive
Misc: Occasionally broody; cold hardy; matures moderately early

Gold Laced Wyandotte:
Varieties: This is a rarer variety of Wyandotte
Hen Wt: 6.5 lb/2.9 kg
Origin: North American (New York State & Wisconsin) late 19th century
Egg Color: Lt. – rich brown
Laying: above avg.
Temperament: Mostly calm
Misc: Rarely broody, but excellent mother; very cold hardy; matures mod. early; dual purpose

Buff Orpington
Varieties: also white, black, & blue
Hen Wt: 8 lb/3.6 kg
Origin: William Cook in Orpington (County Kent, UK) 1880s (some varieties developed by his daughter)
Egg Color: Brown
Laying: avg. – above avg.
Temperament: Friendly & calm
Misc: Often broody; excellent mother; cold hardy; matures mod. early; dual purpose

Barred Rock
Varieties: The barred is a variety of Plymouth Rock. Others are White, Buff, Silver Penciled, Partridge, Columbian, & Blue
Hen Wt: 7.5 lb (another big one)
Origin: New England in 19th century
Egg Color: Lt. – medium brown
Laying: above avg.
Temperament: calm & docile
Misc.: Rarely broody; good mother; very cold hardy; somewhat early maturing; the most popular backyard hen when everyone had a family flock

The second shipment will arrive on Friday, February 17 and will include: La Fleche, Buckeye, Deleware, and Silver Laced Wyandotte. Look for those descriptions soon.

Breed information gleaned from Henderson's Handy Dandy Chicken Chart (http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html)