On S&S Homestead Farm, we keep a small flock of chickens, usually made up of heirloom breeds such as Speckled Sussex and Buff Orpingtons. These are dual purpose chickens that are good layers as well as flavorful meat birds, and brood out their own chicks. We also raise some White Leghorns because they are excellent layers, and some Banties for color and fun.
The chickens are fed farm-grown grain as well as vegetables from the garden and fruit from the orchards. Besides providing us with superb eggs, meat and broth, the chickens have an important role on the farm in patrolling the outside of the gardens for slug eggs and insects. We sell surplus eggs on a cash-basis from the refrigerator in the barn kitchen.