Meet the flock

Our laying flock is a mix — mostly Rhode Island Red, Barred Plymouth Rock and Easter Egger crosses, all hatched right here on the farm.

Why a mixed flock

A single-breed flock is easier to manage, but a mixed one is more interesting to keep and more forgiving through the seasons. The Rhode Island Reds are dependable layers. The Barred Rocks are calm and good with children, which matters when a birthday party is walking through. The Easter Eggers give us the blue and green eggs that turn up in a dozen and make people look twice.

And then there are the Silkies

Silkies do not lay much. They are small, they look like they have been through a hedge backwards, and they are absurdly friendly. Children who are nervous around the bigger birds will nearly always sit down with a Silkie.

They earn their keep as broody hens, too — a Silkie will sit on almost anything and raise the chicks better than an incubator does.

Seeing them yourself

The flock free-ranges on pasture during the day. If you would like to meet them, the Chicken & Egg Experience is a half-hour with the birds and a take-home dozen at the end. Or watch the coop cameras, which run around the clock.