About the Author

Tamsin Cooper

Tamsin Cooper keeps goats and chickens on her smallholding in France, where she aspires to live as sustainably as possible. She follows the latest research on farm animal behavior and has mentored on animal welfare courses.
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Articles by Tamsin Cooper

Breed Profile: Magpie Duck
March 9, 2023 · · Poultry 101

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
February 6, 2023 · · Chickens 101

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
February 6, 2023 · · Chickens 101

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
December 19, 2022 · · Chickens 101

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
December 1, 2022 · · Chickens 101

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
September 8, 2022 · · Poultry 101

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
September 1, 2022 · · Poultry 101

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
August 1, 2022 · · Chickens 101

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
July 13, 2022 · · Chickens 101

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
July 5, 2022 · · Chickens 101

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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