BREED INFO
Throughout the year at Major's Farm we keep a variaty of different breeds.
AMERICANA
Our Americana (Easter Egger) will give you an assortment of colors from turquoise, to olive, to light brown. The Americana breed comes from the Araucana and Ameraucana mix and has different color plumage variations. It is because of this genetic combination that our birds are not meant for exhibition.
APPROX. 240 MEDIUM EGGS/YEAR | EGG COLORS: BLUE, GREEN, LIGHT BROWN MATURE WT: MALE 5.5 LBS. FEMALE 4.5 LBS.
BARNEVELDER
The Barnevelder chicken originates from the Barneveld region of Holland and known for laying a dark brown egg. This beautiful bird has a single comb, is hardy and quiet and doesn't mind being confined.
APPROX. 160 LARGE EGGS/YEAR EGG COLOR: BROWNMATURE WT: MALE 6.5 LBS. FEMALE 5 LBS.SINGLE COMB
BARRED ROCK
Plymouth Rocks are as easy to care for asthey are beautiful. In 1620 a travel-wearyband of Pilgrims set foot on Plymouth Rock.Years later an ideal backyard chicken breedwas named in honor of this famous site. Theylink the flock owner with American historywhile yielding abundant eggs and tasty meat.In bygone days when nearly every farm had achicken flock, the utility and beauty of thesebirds made them the breed of choice. Fewbirds are as stunningly regal as a PlymouthRock strolling across a summer lawn. Witha New England heritage, they don’t let January’s blizzards interrupt laying.
APPROX. 250 LARGE EGGS/YEAREGG COLOR: BROWNMATURE WT: MALE 9.5 LBS. FEMALE 7.5 LBS.SINGLE COMB
BLACK ASTRALORP
The Australorp, an Australian breed, wasselected for its high egg production, and wasdeveloped primarily from Black Orpingtonsthat were exported from England in the 1890sto early 1900. Australian breeders selectedthese large Black Orpingtons because of theirefficient egg production and Orpington shape.Today, the Australorp is still a favorite eggproducer in small and backyard flocks. Despite their record-breaking egg production,they are still considered a dual-purpose breed that grows at a good rate and has a well-fleshed carcass. The plumage is pure black with an intense beetle-green sheen thatis breathtaking when seen in the sunlight. Their legs and toes are also black while thebottoms of the feet are white.
APPROX. 250 LARGE EGGS/YEAR | EGG COLOR: BROWN
MATURE WT: MALE 8 LBS. FEMALE 6.5 LBS. | SINGLE COMB
BUFF BRAHMA
This perfect backyard chicken breed is named for India’s Brahmaputra River. The breed probably came to the United States on Nineteenth Century sailing ships or it may have been developed here from other Asian breeds. Either way, Brahmas are enormous. Hens weigh about 10 pounds with loose fluffy feathers that make them look even bigger. Feathers cover their feet and shanks, keeping them warm in winter. Their docile, gentle, and quiet temperament makes them one of the best breeds around children. Hens lay about 200 medium-sized brown eggs annually, sometimes go broody, and are attentive mothers.
APPROX. 200 MEDIUM EGGS/YEAR | EGG COLOR: BROWN | MATURE WT: MALE 18 LBS. FEMALE 14 LBS.
DARK BRAHMA
This perfect backyard chicken breed is named for India’s Brahmaputra River. The breed probably came to the United States on Nineteenth Century sailing ships or it may have been developed here from other Asian breeds. Either way, Brahmas are enormous. Hens weigh about 10 pounds with loose fluffy feathers that make them look even bigger. Feathers cover their feet and shanks, keeping them warm in winter. Their docile, gentle, and quiet temperament makes them one of the best breeds around children. Hens lay about 200 medium-sized brown eggs annually, sometimes go broody, and are attentive mothers.
APPROX. 200 MEDIUM EGGS/YEAR | EGG COLOR: BROWN | MATURE WT: MALE 18 LBS. FEMALE 14 LBS.
LIGHT BRAHMA
This perfect backyard chicken breed is named for India’s Brahmaputra River. The breed probably came to the United States on Nineteenth Century sailing ships or it may have been developed here from other Asian breeds. Either way, Brahmas are enormous. Hens weigh about 10 pounds with loose fluffy feathers that make them look even bigger. Feathers cover their feet and shanks, keeping them warm in winter. Their docile, gentle, and quiet temperament makes them one of the best breeds around children. Hens lay about 200 medium-sized brown eggs annually, sometimes go broody, and are attentive mothers.
APPROX. 200 MEDIUM EGGS/YEAR | EGG COLOR: BROWN | MATURE WT: MALE 18 LBS. FEMALE 14 LBS.
SALMON FAVEROLLES
People own Salmon Faverolles for their silliness and their steady egg production. These bearded beauties are great docile birds that are very friendly. The breed originated in France and became the premier meat and egg laying breed at the Paris market in the late 1800s. The salmon color is the most prominent in Europe and where they are available in the United States.
APPROX. 180 MEDIUM EGGS/YEAR | EGG COLOR: LIGHT BROWN | MATURE WT: MALE 5 LBS. FEMALE 4 LBS.
GOLDEN SEX LINK
Gold Sex Link Chickens are bred such that one can easily tell the gender of the birds immediately after hatching. This is very useful for flock owners who want to maintain a specific rooster to hen ratio at all times. Gold Sex Link chickens are a cross breed utilizing the Rhode Island White Female and the Rhode Island Red male. The result is a hardy and robust dual purpose breed with superior egg laying capabilities as well as substantial size for meat.
Primary use: eggs
Egg size: Large
Temperament: Calm
Egg color: Brown
ISA BROWN
One of the top sellers in the industry because of the number of eggs they lay and their demeanor. The ISA Browns have excellent shell quality and texture. A docile bird, extremely easy to work with. When they are hatched, the pullets are red and the cockerels are white.
APPROX 300 LARGE EGGS/YEAR |EGG COLOR: BROWN |MATURE WT: MALE 6 LBS. FEMALE 5 LBS.
JERSEY GIANT
n the late 1800s, New Jersey breeders created achickendesigned to rival the meatiness of the turkeys backthen. The massive Black Jersey Giant was the result ofmerging the genetics of several large breeds. Later, thewhite Jersey Giant was created. Roosters often weigh anamazing 11 pounds with hens only a few pounds lighter.They grow slowly but eventually are a third larger thanmost other heavy breeds. These birds are ideal for anyonewanting an impressive hen that lays about 240 extra-large eggs annually. When younger, the birds will maturerelatively quick, but they tend to reach a marketable meatweight slower than other breeds. It could take up to 9months for this bird to fill out its meat proportions.
APPROX. 240 X-LARGE EGGS/YEAR | EGG COLOR: BROWNMATURE WT: MALE 11 LBS. FEMALE 9 LBS. | SINGLE COMB
FRENCH BLACK COPPER MARANS
A hen that seems to be all the rage at the moment is the Black Copper Marans chicken. It’s a beautiful bird that lays very special, dark, chocolate colored eggs. Although it has not been around that long (1900 or so), it has a history that is fraught with ups and downs and near extinction. The Marans breed has several varieties, but the one that has captured most attention here in the US recently is the Black Copper Marans. The Marans breed is said to have appealed to the English because it was supposed to be James Bonds’ favorite egg!
APPROX. 175 MEDIUM EGGS/YEAREGG COLOR: DARKER BROWNMATURE WT: MALE 6 LBS. FEMALE 4.5 LBS.SINGLE COMB
CUCKOO MARANS
Cuckoo Marans were developed in France in the mid 1800s in the town of the same name, Marans, France. The breed made their way to England in the early 1900s and quickly became very popular for their rich, dark brown eggs — a trait they are still known for today.
The Cuckoo variety of Marans resembles the Barred Rock with its dark feathers barred with irregular dark and light slate colored bars. Unlike the French Black Copper Marans which has lightly feathered legs, the Cuckoo Marans has clean legs.
APPROX. 175 MEDIUM EGGS/YEAREGG COLOR: LIGHT BROWNMATURE WT: MALE 6 LBS. FEMALE 4.5 LBS.SINGLE COMB
BUFF ORPINGTON
One of the best breeds for newcomers to chickens, and for families with young children. Named for the English town where they were developed, Orpingtons come in several feather colors but all are big quiet birds with fluffy feathers that keep them toasty warm during frigid weather. Buff Orpingtons are the most common color and lay about 220 brown eggs a year.
APPROX. 220 MEDIUM EGGS/YEAR | EGG COLOR: BROWN | MATURE WT: MALE 8.5 LBS. FEMALE 7 LBS.
PENEDESENCA
These beautiful Spanish breed birds lay very dark brown eggs, and are so unique that they'll be the talk of your flock. Colored eggs are always a more brilliant color early every laying season, and slowly fade as the season progresses. These birds are very active, and like most Mediterranean breeds, won't be suited to the coldest weather due to their large combs and smaller body size. However, they do wonderfully in heat.
Primary use: eggs
Egg size: Medium
Temperament: Active
Egg color: Dark Brown
RHODE ISLAND RED
Rhode Island may be America’s smallest state but thebreed developed there in the late 1800s made hugechanges in chicken husbandry. The Rhode Island Red’samazing ability to lay about 265 eggs a year made itfamous worldwide and became the parent of severalmodern hybrid egg layers. These glossy mahogany-colored hens with black tail feathers are as beautiful as they are gentle and productive.
APPROX. 265 LARGE EGGS/YEAR | EGG COLOR: BROWNMATURE WT: MALE 8 LBS. FEMALE 6.5 LBS.| SINGLE COMB
RHODE ISLAND BLUE
Rhode Island Blues are a hybrid crossing two of the best heritage layers - the Rhode Island Red and the Australorp. This cross results in a largely slate blue chicken with red hackle and saddle feathers. Rhode Island Blues are a medium, production bird - an excellent layer of large brown eggs.
Primary use: Eggs
Temperament: Hardy
Egg color: Brown
SAPPHIRE GEM
Our Sapphire Gem will amaze you with its grey tolight grey plumage. This Czech breed is an excellentegg layer and a great forager. It does well in hotand cold climates and is a breed very close to theOld Andalusians.Please note that gray to light grayplumage is referred to as blue or lavender feathering inthe chicken industry.
APPROX. 290 LARGE EGGS/YEAR | EGG COLOR: BROWNMATURE WT: MALE 7 LBS. FEMALE 6 LBS. | SINGLE COMB
SAPPHIRE OLIVE EGGER
The Sapphire Olive Egger is both easy on the eyesand the olive eggs are sure to be a great addition toyour “eggscape” in your egg carton! This hybrid is awonderful egg layer and you can’t resist that tuft ontheir heads! These birds adapt well to different climates,especially warmer ones.
*This hybrid isn’t perfect, about5% of the birds hatched may lay brown eggs.
APPROX. 240 LARGE EGGS/YEAR | EGG COLOR: OLIVEMATURE WT: MALE 7 LBS. FEMALE 6 LBS. | SINGLE COMBRARE BREED
SPECKLED SUSSEX
Speckled Sussex birds originated in England nearAD 43, making them one of the oldest known breeds.The oldest and most common coloring is the speckledbreed that has dark brown or mahogany coloredfeathers, and some black and blue feathers with whiteends, making the speckles show throughout theirplumage. The speckles can become more prominent as the bird molts each year.
APPROX. 240 MEDIUM EGGS/YEAR | EGG COLOR: CREAMMATURE WT: MALE 9 LBS. FEMALE 7 LBS. | SINGLE COMB
STARLIGHT GREEN EGGER
The Star light Green Egger is a light weight and very active breed that is an excellent forager in free-range situations. The plumage color is also highly variable and comes in many beautiful color patterns not typically seen. If you are looking for a bird that consistently lays a green egg and will lay a lot of them, all while having a beautiful color pattern, then the Starlight Green Egger will be a great addition to your flock!
APPROX. 280 MEDIUM EGGS/YEAR | EGG COLOR: GREENMATURE WT: MALE 5 LBS. FEMALE 4 LBS. | PEA COMB
WELSUMMER
The Welsummer or Welsumer is a Dutch breed of domestic chicken. It originates in the small village of Welsum, in the eastern Netherlands. It was bred at the beginning of the twentieth century from local fowls of mixed origin.
APPROX. 250 LARGE EGGS/YEAREGG COLOR: DARKER BROWNMATURE WT: MALE 6 LBS. FEMALE 4.5 LBS.SINGLE COMB
WHITING TRUE BLUE
Our Whiting True Blue lays a novel blue egg but produces higher quality eggs thana pure Araucana. This chicken lays a large quantity of eggs that have blue shells. The Whiting True Blue is an active bird that isvery good at foraging. They are lightweightand do not eat as much as larger breeds. Plumage color varies considerably among individuals, so you can count on having a greatvariety of beautiful color patterns.
APPROX. 280 MEDIUM EGGS/YEAR | EGG COLOR: BLUE |MATURE WT: MALE 5 LBS. FEMALE 4 LBS. | PEA COMBRARE BREED
SILVER LACED WYANDOTTE
These lacy girls aren't all show with their elegantly patterned feathers. They are also great egg layers. Wyandottes are one of the most strikingly beautiful chickens to grace a backyard flock. Developed in New York, they are quiet, easy to manage and one of the most winter hardy of all breeds. Columbian Wyandotte and Blue Laced Red Wyandotte sold as straight run only.
APPROX. 245 MEDIUM EGGS/YEAR | EGG COLOR: CREAM | MATURE WT: MALE 7 LBS. FEMALE 5 LBS
GOLD LACED WYANDOTTE
Wyandottes aren't all show with their elegantly patterned feathers. They are also great egg layers. Wyandottes are one of the most strikingly beautiful chickens to grace a backyard flock. Developed in New York, they are quiet, easy to manage and are of the most winter hardy of all breeds.
APPROX. 245 MEDIUM EGGS/YEAR | EGG COLOR: CREAM | MATURE WT: MALE 7 LBS. FEMALE 5 LBS.
WHITE LEGHORNS
Years ago a small amazingly productive chicken breed was imported from Italy through the port of Livorno. "Leghorn" became the Anglicized word for that port and the breed. Supermarket eggs are almost always laid by White Leghorns or hybrids developed from them. Hens lay about 290 eggs every year while eating less feed than most other breeds.
APPROX. 290 LARGE EGGS/YEAR | EGG COLOR: WHITE | MATURE WT: MALE 4 LBS. FEMALE 3.5 LBS.
BLUE LACED RED WYANDOTTE
These lacy girls aren't just all show with their elegantly patterned feathers, they are also great egg layers. Wyandottes are one of the most strikingly beautiful chickens to grace a backyard flock. Developed in New York, they are quiet, easy to manage and one of the most winter hardy of all breeds.
APPROX. 245 MEDIUM EGGS/YEAR | EGG COLOR: CREAM | MATURE WT: MALE 7 LBS. FEMALE 5 LBS.
POLISH
Contrary to belief, the breed name Polishdoesn’t come from Poland. They werenamed after the Polish army’s featheredcaps because it closely resembledtheir feathered crests. The chickensoriginated in Spain but were then broughtto Holland, and eventually the Dutchperfected their coloring. They becamea fairly popular bird in France, thenstarted appearing in the United Statesaround the 1830s and 40s. They are agreat breed and are docile and even-tempered. They are easily surprised andsometimes nervous due to their featherslimiting their eyesight. This makes themmore vulnerable to predators.
APPROX. 110 MEDIUM EGGS/YEAREGG COLOR: WHITEMATURE WT: MALE 5 LBS. FEMALE 4 LBS.V COMB
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