Barnevelders (Double-Laced Silver) Bantams
This gorgeous large bantam breed originated in Holland nearly 200 years ago. "Barnies" are believed to be the result of crossing Asian and Dutch chickens. The hens possess a double-lacing pattern that is quite stunning and resembles a double chevron pattern. In fact, when visitors walk past the Barnies' pen, they nearly always come to a complete stop in awe of their beauty! They are decent layers of cream/light brown small-sized eggs.
Cream Legbars
Cream Legbars originated in Britain in the 1930's and were first imported to the United States in 2011 by Greenfire Farms. They are one of a few auto-sexing (not sex-link) breeds currently available in the United States. "Auto-sexing" means that one can tell the gender of the chick upon hatching, and this function is carried on generation after generation, as opposed to the "sex-link" breeds that occur in only one generation. The Cream Legbar hens are excellent layers of large sky blue to blue-green colored eggs. Cream Legbars tend to have a sweet disposition and make a great breed for both backyard coops or free-ranging. We continue to work toward producing show quality stock in accordance with the proposed APA standard. Birds that have been shown have placed very well in several poultry shows here in Texas.
Isbars
Isbars (pronounced ice-bars) were developed by a Catholic monk in Sweden in the 1950's. In 2012, when we acquired our first flock, it was said there were fewer than 500 Isbars in existence worldwide. This breed has become very popular in America, and that number continues to increase very quickly--and for good reason! Isbar hens are unbelievably good layers of olive, mint, or moss green eggs, having outlayed every other breed on our farm during our hot Texas summer--and our bipolar winters. These birds are very intelligent, alert, and friendly, but not necessarily fond of being picked up and handled. The roosters are very protective of their girls, but have never been aggressive toward people. They do well in a backyard coop or free-range setting. In 2015, we combined some of the 2nd import lines with our original imports from Greenfire Farms.
Marraduna Basque Hens
Basque Hens originated in the Western Pyrenees, located within the border of France and Spain. Known as the "Euskal Oiloa" in the Basque language, these dual-purpose, hardy birds are friendly and good foragers, making them excellent large backyard or free-range chickens. The hens are good layers of large brown eggs. TOFH carries the "Marraduna" color of Basque Hens.
Polish Tophats (Tolbunt and Crele )
The Polish Tophat is one of the most interesting of breeds. They have a personality all of their own. They make very good backyard chickens/pets, and basically do not do well in free ranging conditions unless predators are not a potential issue. With large tophats restricting their vision, it is very easy for predators to sneak up on them, and they already tend to be . . . well, let's just say . . . a bit "blonde." This is the very attribute that makes them such wonderful pets, however. The hens are very good layers (5+ eggs weekly) of medium- to large-sized white eggs.
Pavlovskaya ("Pavs")
The Pavlovskaya is a small standard-sized chicken and is considered to be Russia’s most ancient chicken breed. While no one is quite sure of its breeding origins, it is known the "Pavs" originated many centuries ago in the peasant town of Pavlovo, which is located approximately 200 miles east of Moscow. Poultry historians believe the Pavlovskaya are the foundational breed for other crested breeds, such as Brabanters and Polish, in addition to the noncrested Appenzeller Barthuhner.
The Old Farm House obtained their flock from the original importers of this breed, Greenfire Farms. Few of these birds can be found in their native country of Russia, much less any other country. While the Pavs are not known to be great layers, their white/cream-colored eggs are much larger than one would expect! Pavlovskaya seem to be quite hardy in cold or heat.
Please keep in mind that, because of their rarity and low egg yield, chicks are being hatched at a slow rate. We recommend that if you would like to add any of these birds to your flock, you place an order and let us contact you when they are available.
The Old Farm House obtained their flock from the original importers of this breed, Greenfire Farms. Few of these birds can be found in their native country of Russia, much less any other country. While the Pavs are not known to be great layers, their white/cream-colored eggs are much larger than one would expect! Pavlovskaya seem to be quite hardy in cold or heat.
Please keep in mind that, because of their rarity and low egg yield, chicks are being hatched at a slow rate. We recommend that if you would like to add any of these birds to your flock, you place an order and let us contact you when they are available.
Seramas
The Malaysian Serama is the smallest breed of chicken in the world. They are also one of the friendliest. They do very well in confinement and are very heat tolerant. However, these birds may need a heat lamp in freezing temperatures in the northern (colder) states. They come in many different colors and sizes. Less than 350g (12.35 oz) is considered "A" sized; between 350g and 500g (17.64 oz) is "B" sized; and any larger is "C" sized. Serama hens lay an average of one egg every two days. TOFH breeds many different types, including smooth, silkie, frizzle, and sizzle feathered in a variety of colors and patterns. While we continually seek to breed and improve show quality stock, we cannot guarantee that each chick will be show quality. However, we can guarantee that these little ones make wonderful pets, are wonderful with young children, and are perfect for the small backyard coop.