BACKYARD CHICKEN FAVOURITES FOR THE FAMILY
 1. Isabrown - available at Point of Lay or as Day Old Chicks
City Chicks supplies the most popular breed of backyard chicken - the Isabrown. This is a cross between a Rhode Island Red and a White Leghorn.
They have been specifically bred for the domestic, small lot, backyard market that requires a low level of excitability, good egg laying capacity, a lack of flight interest and a natural love of being around people and being picked up and cuddled.
 2. Black Australorp Hybrid - available at Point of Lay or as Day Old Chicks
We also supply the beautiful and popular Black Australorp X - a cross between an Isabrown and black Leghorn. This crossbreed provides the best of both breeds giving the chickens a good temperament and laying capacity. PURE BREEDS - For the true enthusiasts or those wanting variety.
 3. Australorp - Pure Breed - Only available as Day Old Chicks.
A magnificant pure black bird with black eyes. The Australorp was developed as a utility breed in Australia in the 1920's from the Black Orpington primarily for egg production rather than for it's meat. They are excellent layers of tinted eggs and hold the world record for egg production as a hen of the breed laid 364 eggs in 365 days! The feathers of the black birds have a wonderful beetle-green sheen and they have prominent black eyes.
It is an active breed and they are fast growers. They make good pets as they are calm and friendly birds although they are a little heavy for young children to pick up. They will happily live in runs but they do enjoy being allowed to free range. They aren't good fliers so fencing doesn't need to be particularly high. They are also very hardy and will stand cold weather well.
 4. Rhode Island Red - Pure Breed - Only available as Day Old Chicks.
They are a regal dark red coloured bird with yellow legs. These birds emerged in the 1890's in the Boston-Massachusetts- Rhode Island area of the USA, mainly to fill a need for a dual purpose fowl - a good layer as well as good on the table. Rhode Island Reds have rich, dark, red-brown plumage and have yellow legs, yellow eyes and yellow skin. The hens tend to be docile and make good sitters of eggs. Owners say the Rhode Island Red lays about 280 eggs a year most of which are brown in colour.
These birds have the reputation of being one of the hardiest breeds. While they live for around 5 years, hens may well lay for around 3 of these.
 5. White Leghorn - Pure Breed - available as Point of Lay or as Day Old Chicks.
Leghorns take their name from the city of Leghorn, Italy, where they are considered to have originated. They tend to be a slimer, smaller bird compared to their mates, Isabrown or Australorp. They are spritely, noisy bird swith great style. Leghorns like to move about. They are good foragers and can often get much of their diet from ranging over gardens and forests. Leghorns are capable of considerable flight and often roost in trees if given the opportunity so their wings should be clipped. Leghorns rarely go broody and are known for good egg laying.
 6. Plymouth Rock Hens - Pure Breed - Double Barred - available as Day Old Chicks only for a limited time only!
The first Plymouth Rock was barred (black/white stripes) and other varieties developed later. The breed became popular very rapidly. Its popularity came from its qualities as an outstanding farm chicken: hardiness, docility, broodiness, and excellent production of both eggs and meat. Early in its development, the name Plymouth Rock implied a barred bird, but as more varieties were developed, it became the designation for the breed. Plymouth Rocks are a good general farm chicken. They are docile; normally will show broodiness; possess a long, broad back; a moderately deep, full breast and a single comb of moderate size. They usually make good mothers. Their feathers are fairly loosely held but not so long as to easily tangle. Generally, Plymouth Rocks are not extremely aggressive, and tame quite easily.
 7. Light Sussex - Pure Breed - available as Day Old Chicks for a limited time only!!
The Sussex chicken is an alert, docile bird that can adapt to any surrounding and are comfortable in both free range or confined spaces. The breed can sometimes goes broody, the speckled version is most likely to do so. They are good foragers and make beautiful looking pets. They were bred to be a dual purpose bird and is one of the most productive breeds of poultry. They lay large eggs that are cream to light brown in colour. A person owning a member of this breed should expect approximately 240 to 260 eggs a year, with the light and white varieties are the best choice for layers.
 8. Barnevelders - dark egg layers - available as Day Old Chicks soon!!
Barnevelders are a breed originating in Holland. They are medium heavy dual-purpose chickens laying a good number of dark brown eggs. They are hardy birds and good foragers. While they became famous for their dark brown eggs in the first half of the 20th century most birds now appear to be in the hands of show breeders and not much attention has been given to maintaining the dark brown egg colour or to productivity with the focus being on external characteristics instead. Many flocks now lay eggs of a much lighter brown than before and are sometimes not quite as productive as befits their reputation. They are good winter layers and have a quiet disposition. The plumage is just delighted and speckled.
 9. Araucana - Blue Egg Layers - available as Day Old Chicks soon!!!
This is a fairly new breed introduced into the world of chickens and was bred for the unique color of the eggs - light blue! There is a debate that continues about the cholesterol of the blue egg. Some say that it is less than normal eggs of other breeds. The araucana has muffs, and a beard around its face. The muffs look like a cluster of feathers hanging below and around its face. It is around the eyes and covers and ears and then leads into the beard. The beard is made of feathers that hang from the upper area of the throat. These birds were developed because of their unique coloring of their eggs. If you breed any chicken with an Araucana, their eggs will turn blue because that is a dominant trait. They are particularly shy, timid birds and are not reliable egg layers.
 10. Chinese Silkies - Silkies for Sale - 1-2 week old silkie chicks only. Vaccinated and unsexed. Buff, white, partridge and grey.
Standard Silkies are mid-sized chickens and weigh around 1.5kg to 2kg and have an average lifespan of 8 to 9 years. They are one of the most compliant and docile animals ever born and despite their soft delicate appearance are reasonably robust. The birds can be tamed and are often regarded by their owners as a real pet. Combine this with their curious, delicate appearance and one can see why this bird is often an appealing choice for the novice or child.
All birds should be checked regularly for lice and should have access to a dust bath. Silkies, their pens and nest boxes can be treated for lice each month during the warmer seasons and every two months during the cooler seasons. Most pelleted food is too coarse for these small fowl. Silkies should be fed on Grower Pellets, depending on their age. Greens (grasses) are essential and if the fowl cannot run on grass, acceptable alternatives include cabbage or a little lettuce. Unlike some crossbred pullets, Silkies are not repeat layers and will stop laying through winter. Breeders say to expect an average of 90 to 120 eggs per year. See order details below. Available sexed and vaccinated as young chicks only.
 11. Pekin Bantams - Chicks available soon!!
These 'feathery balls with legs' are delightful pets and are cuddly and cute. They have a mass of feathers on their bodies and on their feet. They are only small and do not fly making them perfect for smaller gardens. They do not lay many eggs and should be in accomodation with a roof as they can become quite sodden. One downside is that they can become quite broody. They come in a variety of colours. Upon availability - call to order yours.
 12. Frizzle Pekin Bantams - the hens are laying so it won't be to long away!
Another type of Pekin Bantam but with frizzled feathers - almost looking like they are crinkly. They, like the Pekin above, make wonderful pets and look gorgeous. Call to order.
If you are after a specific breed, please email us and we will see if we can get it for you or put you in touch with a supplier.
DAY OLD CHICKS and DUCKLINGS
 Many varieties of chicks and Pekin white, Muscovy black and white or Khaki Campbell brown ducklings - Order by Saturday and collect Tuesday afternoon.
Please be aware that baby chicks and ducklings require special care and for the first 6 weeks of their lives must be housed inside in a heated box or container. We can supply a specially heated brooder box for you to rent for a 6 week duration or you can buy it outright. See our 'Coops' section for more details. During the first 6 weeks, they must be fed Chick Starter Crumble which is different to the grain older chickens eat. City Chicks can provide Fact Sheets on raising chicks, which can be emailed to you after purchase. The chicks will also need a special chick drinker a feeder and some wood shavings. All of these products are available in our Online Shop. Laying Pullets ie. 16 -20 weeks of age and ready to lay eggs - always in stock.
Your older birds are so much more independent. They require scraps, laying mash (grain) and water to start producing great tasting free range or organic eggs. See our Feed Packs for Organic or Regular laying mash feed options. |
