About the Author
Tamsin Cooper
Articles by Tamsin Cooper
Breed Profile: Magpie Duck
The Magpie duck has a distinctive, if variable, pied coloring that is hard to perfect. Nevertheless, they make excellent foragers and homestead companions, and are hardy, multi-purpose and lay large eggs.
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Breed Profile: Ancona Chicken
The Ancona chicken is an endangered heritage breed from Italy. Once a popular layer, the Ancona hen continues to be hardy and productive.
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Breed Profile: Welsummer Chicken
The Welsummer chicken is known for egg color, reliably laying dark brown speckled eggs. This Dutch chicken makes an attractive and pleasant member of the homestead.
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Breed Profile: Breda Chicken
The Breda chicken is a unique dual-purpose heritage breed from the Netherlands, with striking looks and adorable temperament. Recently, it has become an endangered rare breed.
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Breed Profile: Russian Orloff Chicken
The Russian Orloff chicken is a hardy dual-purpose breed of Russian heritage chicken developed in the 18th century for beauty and utility. Once mature, they are extremely cold-tolerant.
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Breed Profile: Welsh Harlequin Ducks
Welsh Harlequin ducks make an excellent small duck breed for backyard keeper. They are placid, great foragers and provide both eggs and meat.
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Breed Profile: Standard Bronze Turkey
The Standard Bronze turkey is a heritage variety that is self-sufficient in a free-range system and can breed and raise poults naturally. It is an important variety to conserve for future sustainability.
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Breed Profile: Turken Chicken
Turken or Naked Neck chickens tolerate heat well. Not all chickens with bare necks descend from the Transylvanian breed, which is a landrace with excellent dual-purpose qualities.
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Breed Profile: Icelandic Chicken
Icelandic chickens (Icies) are an ancient landrace and are very diverse, robustly healthy, cold-hardy chickens. Sadly, they are threatened by diminished numbers during the 1970s and the consequent inbreeding.
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Breed Profile: Swedish Flower Hen
The Swedish Flower Hen is a hardy, heritage landrace with beautiful plumage and a friendly nature. They are self-sufficient survivors, but the breed needs urgent conservation.
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