Breed Highlight: Prairie Bluebell Egger™

One special breed, unique to Hoover’s, is the Prairie Bluebell Egger™

 

As well as having a whimsical name, the hens of this breed produce LARGE, bright blue eggs It has been my pleasure to have owned several of these PBEs over the last few years They are always a staple on our farm, and help fill the egg basket with dependable color

According to Hoover’s Hatchery, the lineage of the Prairie Bluebell Egger™ comes from crossing White Leghorn and Araucanas The first reported blue egg layer came from South America in the early

The New Hampshire Red: A Versatile Dual-Purpose Backyard Chicken

Ask a longtime baseball manager which player matters most and you will often hear the same answer: the utility player Rarely the flashy media star, a utility player is the flexible athlete who can step into almost any position at a moment’s notice and still get the job done In the world of backyard poultry, the New Hampshire Red is that utility player It may not be the single best layer, the fastest broiler, or the most striking show bird, but it does all of those jobs well, and that all-around reliability has made it a backyard favorite for

All About the Lavender Orpington Breed

I still remember the first day a Lavender Orpington joined our backyard flock I had been researching breeds that were beautiful, friendly, and dependable in the nest box, and this one checked every single box With soft, silvery-gray plumage and one of the gentlest personalities in the chicken world, it is easy to see why the breed has become such a backyard favorite The Lavender Orpington is one of the calmest, most beautiful dual-purpose chickens you can add to a small flock, and once you meet one, you will probably want a few more

What Is a Turken? Meet the Naked Neck Chicken

If you have ever watched a cooking show, you have probably heard of a turducken But have you ever heard of a Turken? Despite the name, a Turken is not part turkey at all A Turken is a breed of chicken that grows no feathers on its neck and vent area, which gives it a one-of-a-kind look and a personality to match These birds are also known as Naked Necks, and once you get to know them, they have a way of becoming the favorite character in the whole flock

Who’s Laying

One day, on my way to work, I had customer call me at our family pet store and say, “I have all these chickens I don’t want They are young, do you know anyone who could take them!?” My only thought was ME ME ME! Annnndddd that is exactly what I said My husband had mentioned that in the future he would love chickens and I took that as in, today was the future! Hehe, so on my way home for $10, I got a box

All About the Cream Legbar Breed

It’s that time of year again when some folks are busy holiday shopping and others are already dreaming about spring gardens Around here? I’m shopping for my next chicken breeds! Building a flock is one of the most exciting parts of keeping backyard chickens, and if a basket full of soft blue eggs is on your wish list, the Cream Legbar deserves a spot at the top This is the breed that turned my own egg basket into something straight out of a Pinterest board, and today I want to walk you through everything that makes it so special

The Best Chicken Breeds for Kids

Chickens are a huge part of our family’s life, and honestly, they have become one of the best things we ever did together Raising kids alongside a backyard flock teaches responsibility, patience, and the real value of caring for another living thing So it is no surprise that one of the questions I get asked most often is which are the best chicken breeds for kids If you are hoping to raise gentle, friendly birds your children can hold, pet, and love, you are in exactly the right place

All About the Barnevelder Chicken Breed

If you have ever scrolled through breed guides dreaming about your next backyard addition, the Barnevelder chicken probably stopped you in your tracks This Dutch beauty is famous for its rich, dark “chocolate” eggs and its calm, friendly personality Many keepers start out wanting chickens just for the eggs, then quickly fall down the rabbit hole of gorgeous breeds, which is exactly how a tidy little flock turns into a backyard full of feathers The Barnevelder is one of those breeds that earns a spot on almost everyone’s wish list, and for good reason