Heritage Breed Chicks
Here at Aspen Willow Homestead we are extremely proud of the flock we have created. All of our hens are extremely docile and gentle and thrive while free ranging on our acreage. They are all raised without the use of antibiotics or hormones and are loved unconditionally. We sell chicks from March - May every year and look forward to providing you with healthy and loving chicks for years to come!
The breeds we have within our flock include Easter Egger, Olive Egger, Black Copper Maran, Ameraucana, and Plymouth Rock. Below is information pertaining to each breed including egg color and how many eggs each breed lays weekly. Hopefully this blog will not only make you fall in love with chickens but also provide information for each listed breed.
Ameraucana
The Ameraucana is a winter hardy dual purpose breed which in simple terms means they are just as resilient as Canadians throughout our winter months and can be used as both meat and egg laying birds!
The Ameraucana is a gentle docile breed and have beautiful feathers of varying colors. They lay 3-4 medium sized blue-green eggs per week and is said to have a hawk-like appearance, many appreciate this quality for free-range flocks.
They are a bit of a late layer and on average don't start laying until 28-32 weeks old but patience is most certainly worth it to have this breed within your flock. The average lifespan of this breed is 7-8 years.
Olive Egger
This breed is hands down my personal favorite within our flock. Shhh... don't tell the others. They are the sweetest ladies in our flock and there has been numerous days in which i will look out my back window to see my children sitting in the garden with Olive Egger ladies in their laps.
Their sweet and gentle temperament is amazing for raising chicks within our flock and there is a reason we call them the "momma's" of our flock. They lay 3-5 Olive colored eggs per week and begin laying between 24-28 weeks old.
The average life span of this breed is 7-8 years. They are known to be dual climate birds and do well in both cold and warm climates. Overall this breed is simply amazing and a must have in any back yard flock!
Easter Egger
The Easter Egger is another amazing cold hardy breed who's temperament is calm and docile. They aren't the most cuddly breed and can often be a tad skittish however they are still little sweethearts and produce the most beautiful colored eggs.
They lay 4 large blue colored eggs a week and start laying between 20-24 weeks of age. Their average life expectancy is 7-9 years. Overall this breed is so incredibly sweet and we are so happy to have them as part of our flock here at the homestead!
Black Copper Maran
The Black Copper Maran is an absolute staple to any flock. Not only does it's coloring act as aerial predator deterrence, it's calm and gentle temperament allows for easy flock integration. They are climate hardy and do well in both cold and warmer climates.
They lay a beautiful large dark chocolate brown eggs and on average lay 4-6 eggs per week. Don't be surprised if your waiting a while for that first chocolate nugget though as it can take anywhere from 26-32 weeks for them to start laying.
Overall the Black Copper Maran may not be an extra cuddly breed but they are absolutely beautiful and are still very docile and friendly.
Barred Plymouth Rock
The Plymouth Rock or as my daughter likes to call them "the bar code" chicken is genuinely the most amazing breed we have had the pleasure of raising. Their calm, gentle, and loving personalities are just a few perks of having this breed in your flock.
They lay large brown colored eggs and on average start laying between 16 - 24 weeks of age. They are a dual purpose breed that is weather hardy for both cold and warm climates.
If you are new to chicken keeping this breed and the Olive Eggers would be my recommendation as they are the cuddle bugs of my flock.
When we have chicks available they will be posted under the Shop tab with the quantity available for purchase.
All chicks come unvaccinated and unsexed and will be for pick up only.