Rare Chickens: Beautiful & Healthy Eggs

 When you raise your own chickens, you gain peace of mind knowing exactly where your eggs came from.  Organic and free-range eggs contain higher levels of Omega-3 fatty acids, beta carotene, Vitamin E, and Vitamin A.   They are also lower in saturated fat and cholesterol than conventional, store-bought eggs. 

When I first moved to my farm, raising my own chickens was a priority.  I could not wait for my first eggs to arrive.  I started out with your average, run-of-the-mill chickens such as Leghorns and Australorps from the local farm supply store, but soon I became fascinated by the more rare, heritage breeds, especially those that laid eggs in novel colors.  I now focus on raising the following breeds:

1.   French Marans.  French Marans lay deep chocolate brown colored eggs, that when cracked open reveal a bright orange, yolk, bursting with vitamins, protein, and fats from its healthy lifestyle. Marans have the reputation for laying the best-tasting chicken egg in the world. (Perhaps, for these reasons, the author Ian Fleming identified Marans eggs as those most preferred by James Bond.)   I raise ultra-rare Birchen Marans.  My Marans are extremely docile and sweet.

2.  Swedish Isbars.  Swedish Isbars are thrifty foragers that will produce 150-200 green eggs a year. The eggs vary in shade of green from a dark olive to a lighter moss green. Some eggs also have small brown speckles against a green background, and many chicken aficionados think Isbar eggs are the most beautiful of any egg. Whether speckled or pure green, the Isbar eggs are as magical and exotic as the birds themselves.  I love that when hatching Isbar eggs, you literally never know what color chicks you will get!  They range in color in unique variations of black, grey, and white.

3. Cream Legbars.  Cream Legbars were first introduced at the London Dairy Show in 1947 and received a written standard by the Poultry Club of Great Britain in 1958. Legbars grew in popularity to fill a niche market in the British egg industry for pastel sky blue eggs produced by free-range birds. Cream Legbars are medium-sized fowl that are known for their active foraging and ability to survive in a free-range environment. The females look like they are wearing little beret hats.  I think they are just adorable!  

Raising chickens involves some basic dedication: ensuring they have clean water, fresh food, and a clean coop.  But the rewards are amazing: fresh eggs, beautiful feathered friends, insect pest control, and last but not least—chicken manure makes great compost for your garden.  I highly recommend the keeping of chickens!