Chicken Coop Plans

Over the years, our flock which started with six hens, has grown to nearly three dozen at times and shrunk to just three at other times. Ive hatched, and bought chicks, Ive sold and given away some of my hens (and made some really nice families very happy in the process!) - all in pursuit of the perfect flock. For me, that means beautiful, friendly girls who lay gorgeous, delicious eggs. And by jove, six years in, I think Ive finally got it! 

Our current flock numbers just fourteen chickens. A bakers dozen of hens plus one rooster. Its a nice size flock, and while a few have just started laying, come spring, I should be collecting a nice basket of eggs each day. Our eggs come in blue, olive green, tan, pinkish, and chocolate brown.

I know many of you tune into my Facebook page to follow the adventures of the girls and Lily - and I get asked all the time which breeds everyone is. So, heres a look at my current flock.

Name: Charlotte

Breed: Australorp

Hatched: 2009

Egg Color: Light Tan 

Charlotte is our matriarch. Shes a sweet girl and yes, at nearly six years old, she still lays the occasional egg.

Name: Annie

Breed: Australorp

Hatched: 2010

Egg Color: Pinkish

Annie, also an Australorp, is an excellent layer of large pinkish eggs, but what she really excels at is being a mother!

Name: Abigail

Breed: Olive Egger

Hatched: 2012

Egg Color: Olive Green

Abigails mom was a Black Ameraucana (blue egg layer) and her father was a Black Copper Marans (dark brown egg laying breed). That accounts for her gorgeous olive green eggs.

Name: Violet

Breed: Lavender Orpington

Hatched: 2012

Egg Color: Light Tan

Violet is probably the sweetest chicken Ive ever raised. Shes just beautiful and a total sweetheart.

Name: Truffle

Breed: Bantam Chocolate Orpington

Hatched: 2013

Egg Color: Light Tan

Truffle, the clear fan favorite, is a sweet bantam. The smallest in the flock, shes probably the fiestiest one! Shes a bit of a loner and introvert, preferring to poke around by herself for the most part, rather than with the group.

Name: Virginia

Breed: Blue Ameraucana

Hatched: 2013

Egg Color: Blue

Virginia is mean, pure and simple. Her favorite activity is bopping baby chicks on the head. None of the others like her, so she has an entire roosting bar to herself at night. But for the gorgeous blue eggs she lays, I think she would be chicken stew by now! (kidding....shes lovable in her own grumpy way)

Name: Cecelia

Breed: Black Ameraucana

Hatched: 2014

Egg Color: Blue

Cecelia is a gorgeous girl I hatched this past spring who has just started laying the most beautiful blue eggs.

Name: Ophelia

Breed: Mottled Java

Hatched: 2014

Egg Color: Light Tan

Ophelia is a very good-natured, curious hen who lays light tan eggs. Our first Mottled Java, I will definitely look into getting some more of these.

Name: Kate

Breed: Blue Ameraucana

Hatched: 2014

Egg Color: Blue

Kate is a Blue Ameraucana - with a far sweeter temperament than Virginia - who also lays beautiful blue eggs.

Name: Amy

Breed: Black Ameraucana

Hatched: 2014

Egg Color: Blue

Name: Molly

Breed: Blue Copper Marans

Hatched: 2014

Egg Color: Chocolate Brown

Names: Tessie and Duffy

Breed: Black Copper Marans

Hatched: 2014

Egg Color: Chocolate Brown

Name: Lily

Breed: Black-Faced White Spanish

Hatched: 2014

Egg Color: N/A

Yes, we have a rooster named Lily. We were hoping for a girl.