Farm 2026
The Flock
7 hens, 2 roosters — 9 birds total. Hampton, CT.
The Roosters
These two run the yard.
Little Big Red Junior
Rhode Island Red (likely)
"Protective, active, attentive flock manager"
Deep auburn/red
Primary rooster; father of Birdadonna; visible in farm photos
💡 Rhode Island Reds were the state bird of Rhode Island (1954) and are one of the most productive brown-egg layers.
Whitey Red Legs
Easter Egger × Rhode Island Red cross (rooster)
"Calm, friendly"
White body with black-barred tail, yellow legs, likely male EE × RIR cross
Secondary rooster; large single comb; mixed breed background
💡 Homestead hybrids like this combine the best traits of both parents: reliable egg production with unique blue egg color.
The Hens
Heritage breeds, Easter Eggers, and one desk-hatched original.
Birdatha
Rhode Island Red
"Independent, good forager"
Reddish-brown
Oldest hen on property, reliable producer
💡 Rhode Island Reds were the state bird of Rhode Island (1954) and are one of the most productive brown-egg layers.
Birdgit
Speckled Sussex
"Docile, curious, excellent forager"
Mahogany with white-tipped black-barred feathers
Friendly and active, often seen exploring
💡 Speckled Sussex are known for being particularly friendly and following their owners around, almost dog-like in behavior.
Henrietta
Golden Laced Wyandotte
"Hardy, independent"
Gold and black laced plumage, purple leg band on left leg
Identified by purple leg band; hatched with chick band
💡 Wyandottes are excellent mothers and will often go broody, making them perfect for natural hatching.
EE hen 1
Easter Egger
"Friendly, curious"
Dark blue-black slate plumage, single comb
Darker of the two Easter Egger hens; likely mother of Birdadonna
💡 Easter Eggers are prized by backyard farmers for their distinctive colored eggs. The 'Araucana' gene creates the blue egg color.
EE hen 2
Easter Egger
"Friendly, curious"
Blue-gray plumage with yellow legs, single comb
Lighter of the two Easter Egger hens; good forager
💡 Easter Eggers are prized by backyard farmers for their distinctive colored eggs. The 'Araucana' gene creates the blue egg color.
Birdadonna
Easter Egger × RIR cross
"Friendly, active"
Blue-gray body with golden auburn hackle
Hatched in incubator on boss's desk; dam: EE hen 1, sire: Little Big Red Junior; lays distinctive blue eggs
💡 Homestead hybrids like this combine the best traits of both parents: reliable egg production with unique blue egg color.
Black Australorp hen
Black Australorp
"Docile, broody"
Black plumage with iridescent green sheen
Seen on nest; excellent egg producer; may be broody
💡 Black Australorps hold the record for highest single-year egg production by a hen — 364 eggs in 365 days, set in the 1920s.
Breed Notes
What each breed brings to the flock.
Rhode Island Red
American breed known for reliable egg production and hardiness. Medium-sized birds with deep red plumage and red-brown eyes.
Egg Color
Brown to dark brown
Annual Eggs
250
Temperament
Friendly but independent, good foragers
Cold Hardiness
Excellent — large comb can be susceptible to frostbite, but otherwise very hardy
💡 Rhode Island Reds were the state bird of Rhode Island (1954) and are one of the most productive brown-egg layers.
Speckled Sussex
British breed with distinctive mahogany and white speckled plumage. Curious, active foragers with excellent table manners (quiet compared to other breeds).
Egg Color
Tan to light brown
Annual Eggs
240
Temperament
Docile, curious, excellent foragers, friendly to humans
Cold Hardiness
Good — medium comb, adapts well to cold
💡 Speckled Sussex are known for being particularly friendly and following their owners around, almost dog-like in behavior.
Golden Laced Wyandotte
American breed with beautiful gold and black laced plumage. Compact, muscular birds with rose combs (frost-resistant) and yellow legs.
Egg Color
Brown
Annual Eggs
200-220
Temperament
Hardy, independent, can be broody, broody hens are excellent mothers
Cold Hardiness
Excellent — rose comb is frost-resistant, compact body, ideal for cold climates
💡 Wyandottes are excellent mothers and will often go broody, making them perfect for natural hatching.
Easter Egger
Not a standard breed but a hybrid type that lays colored eggs (blue, green, or pink). Variable plumage; typically have ear tufts or muffs and beards.
Egg Color
Blue, green, or pink (highly variable)
Annual Eggs
200-280
Temperament
Generally friendly, curious, good foragers
Cold Hardiness
Good — varies by individual genetics
💡 Easter Eggers are prized by backyard farmers for their distinctive colored eggs. The 'Araucana' gene creates the blue egg color.
White Rock
American breed with white plumage and yellow legs. Large, friendly birds originally bred for meat production. Commonly crossed with other breeds.
Egg Color
Brown
Annual Eggs
200-220
Temperament
Friendly, calm, excellent mothers (when broody), good foragers
Cold Hardiness
Good — large comb can be susceptible to frostbite
💡 White Rocks were one of the first breeds to be widely used for commercial broiler production in the mid-20th century.
Black Australorp
Australian breed with glossy black plumage with a green sheen. Medium-sized, docile birds known for excellent egg production.
Egg Color
Brown (often large)
Annual Eggs
250-300
Temperament
Docile, friendly, good mothers (broody), excellent foragers
Cold Hardiness
Good — moderate comb, handles cold well
💡 Black Australorps hold the record for highest single-year egg production by a hen — 364 eggs in 365 days, set in the 1920s.
Easter Egger × Rhode Island Red Cross
Hybrid offspring combining Easter Egger's colored-egg genetics with RIR vigor. Inherits blue-egg production from EE parent and reliability from RIR.
Egg Color
Blue
Annual Eggs
240-260
Temperament
Friendly, curious, good foragers, benefits from hybrid vigor
Cold Hardiness
Excellent — inherits RIR hardiness
💡 Homestead hybrids like this combine the best traits of both parents: reliable egg production with unique blue egg color.