Welcome to Rare Feathers FarmTM
Specializing in Rare Chickens & Waterfowl Hatching Eggs
Descriptions of Breeds Available
Standard Black Sumatras
Sumatras are an exceedingly rare and largely undomesticated breed of chicken thought to be closely related to the jungle fowl of the far East. They are kept for their beauty alone, for they're not very good egg-layers and are not hefty enough to be a good meat bird. However, their gorgeous, luxurious feathers are their most striking quality, but in addition they're the only breed of chicken whose roosters have multiple spurs, black skin and even black bones! Size: Medium (6-7 lbs)
Rarity: Rare Recognized Varieties: Officially recognized: Black only. Egg Laying: Poor (1/wk) Egg Color: White Egg Size: Medium Comb Type: Pea Comb
Blue/Black/Splash Orpingtons
Orpingtons are big, friendly dual-purpose birds originally developed in the UK, and for many small farms Orpingtons are the only way to go! They're friendly and cold-hardy due to their fluffy plumage.
Standard Golden Laced Cochins
Cochins are heavily feathered down the shanks and toes and appear to be much larger than they actually are. They are very gentle, excellent setters, require little space, and with their many color varieties are absolutely beautiful to look at. Cochins are one of our best setters. Each feather is rich, golden-bay laced with lustrous greenish-black creating a broad oval with a golden bay center. Extremely eye catching.
Standard Lemon Blue Cochins
These cochins are the same as the ones above in size, temperment and body type. What sets them apart is their amazingly gorgeous colors! The lemon Blues are NOT a recognized color by the APA, but they are sure gorgeous. These are still in the developing stages and they do not breed true, just like the Orpingtons. That means, you will get any/all combinations of Lemon Blues and you may or may not get any birds that are Lemon Blue. You may get blues, splashes, lemon blue, lemon and sometimes even a very diluted lavender-lemon!
Light Brahmas
The Brahmas are a very old breed from Asia, probably originating in India and brought to this country about 1850 by Yankee sailors on their return from trading in Far Eastern ports. Because of its massive size, full feathered shanks and toes, and striking black and white plumage pattern, it has always been one of the most interesting varieties to work with. Brahmas are exceptionally quiet, gentle, and easy to handle. Their small pea comb, great size, and heavy plumage make them almost immune to cold weather. The hens are good layers of brown eggs, especially in winter, and will also set. Cockerels develop a tremendous frame, grow rather slowly, but when fully fleshed make a beautiful roasting chicken. They are easy to dress with light plumage and yellow skin. Baby chicks are creamy white, but some have shades of gray on the back. Mature size, roosters 12-13lbs, hens 8-10lbs
Mottled Houdan
These were raised extensively on the many small farms near the village of Houdan in France; and this locale and the lovely black plumage in which many feathers are tipped with V-shaped white spots give them their name. The flowing crest, V-shaped comb, muff of feathers at the throat, and the 5th toe give them an unusual appearance and make them a standout in any poultry show. Houdans are fine boned, juicy, white skinned flesh, and they are good layers of white eggs. Although in the crested breed family, they are larger than Polish. Baby chicks are patched with black and white all over, and the little crest, beard, and 5th toe help identify them at once.
Salmon Faverolles (Standards & Bantams)
Originally bred as a utility fowl in France, now it is raised mostly for exhibition and novelty. It is good sized with a beard, muff, feathered shanks, and 5th toe. The male is colored in straw, reddish brown and black; the female a creamy white and salmon brown. Baby chicks are creamy white with muff, fuzzy legs, and 5th toe.
Porcelain D'uccles
One of the Belgian true bantams (meaning there is no standard-sized form), the bearded and booted d'Uccle is one of the prettiest of fowl. The d'Uccles also occur in other color varieties, such as Mille Fleur, Black Mottled, Self Blue (self means solidly one color), and Blue Mille Fleur. They are single combed birds and the standard calls for vulture hocks, a disqualification in most breeds. (Vulture hocks are long stiff feathers protruding down and back from the hock joint.) My birds have excellent vulture hocks.
Bantam Sultans
Originally known as "Seral-Taook" or in English "Fowl of the Sultan" this bird originated in the U.S. but was bred from its standard size counterpart that called Turkey home. This breed has a crest, beard, and muff, vulture hooks, feathered shanks, and 5 toes. It is a very unusual variety.
Sumatras are an exceedingly rare and largely undomesticated breed of chicken thought to be closely related to the jungle fowl of the far East. They are kept for their beauty alone, for they're not very good egg-layers and are not hefty enough to be a good meat bird. However, their gorgeous, luxurious feathers are their most striking quality, but in addition they're the only breed of chicken whose roosters have multiple spurs, black skin and even black bones! Size: Medium (6-7 lbs)Rarity: Rare Recognized Varieties: Officially recognized: Black only. Egg Laying: Poor (1/wk) Egg Color: White Egg Size: Medium Comb Type: Pea Comb
Blue/Black/Splash Orpingtons
Orpingtons are big, friendly dual-purpose birds originally developed in the UK, and for many small farms Orpingtons are the only way to go! They're friendly and cold-hardy due to their fluffy plumage. Standard Golden Laced Cochins
Cochins are heavily feathered down the shanks and toes and appear to be much larger than they actually are. They are very gentle, excellent setters, require little space, and with their many color varieties are absolutely beautiful to look at. Cochins are one of our best setters. Each feather is rich, golden-bay laced with lustrous greenish-black creating a broad oval with a golden bay center. Extremely eye catching.Standard Lemon Blue CochinsThese cochins are the same as the ones above in size, temperment and body type. What sets them apart is their amazingly gorgeous colors! The lemon Blues are NOT a recognized color by the APA, but they are sure gorgeous. These are still in the developing stages and they do not breed true, just like the Orpingtons. That means, you will get any/all combinations of Lemon Blues and you may or may not get any birds that are Lemon Blue. You may get blues, splashes, lemon blue, lemon and sometimes even a very diluted lavender-lemon!
Light Brahmas
The Brahmas are a very old breed from Asia, probably originating in India and brought to this country about 1850 by Yankee sailors on their return from trading in Far Eastern ports. Because of its massive size, full feathered shanks and toes, and striking black and white plumage pattern, it has always been one of the most interesting varieties to work with. Brahmas are exceptionally quiet, gentle, and easy to handle. Their small pea comb, great size, and heavy plumage make them almost immune to cold weather. The hens are good layers of brown eggs, especially in winter, and will also set. Cockerels develop a tremendous frame, grow rather slowly, but when fully fleshed make a beautiful roasting chicken. They are easy to dress with light plumage and yellow skin. Baby chicks are creamy white, but some have shades of gray on the back. Mature size, roosters 12-13lbs, hens 8-10lbsMottled Houdan
These were raised extensively on the many small farms near the village of Houdan in France; and this locale and the lovely black plumage in which many feathers are tipped with V-shaped white spots give them their name. The flowing crest, V-shaped comb, muff of feathers at the throat, and the 5th toe give them an unusual appearance and make them a standout in any poultry show. Houdans are fine boned, juicy, white skinned flesh, and they are good layers of white eggs. Although in the crested breed family, they are larger than Polish. Baby chicks are patched with black and white all over, and the little crest, beard, and 5th toe help identify them at once.Salmon Faverolles (Standards & Bantams)
Originally bred as a utility fowl in France, now it is raised mostly for exhibition and novelty. It is good sized with a beard, muff, feathered shanks, and 5th toe. The male is colored in straw, reddish brown and black; the female a creamy white and salmon brown. Baby chicks are creamy white with muff, fuzzy legs, and 5th toe.Porcelain D'uccles
One of the Belgian true bantams (meaning there is no standard-sized form), the bearded and booted d'Uccle is one of the prettiest of fowl. The d'Uccles also occur in other color varieties, such as Mille Fleur, Black Mottled, Self Blue (self means solidly one color), and Blue Mille Fleur. They are single combed birds and the standard calls for vulture hocks, a disqualification in most breeds. (Vulture hocks are long stiff feathers protruding down and back from the hock joint.) My birds have excellent vulture hocks.Bantam Sultans
Originally known as "Seral-Taook" or in English "Fowl of the Sultan" this bird originated in the U.S. but was bred from its standard size counterpart that called Turkey home. This breed has a crest, beard, and muff, vulture hooks, feathered shanks, and 5 toes. It is a very unusual variety.Waterfowl
Muscovy Ducks
Muscovies are the only domestic ducks that are not derived from Mallards. They are a South & Central American species. The original (wild type) coloration is black and white, but domestication has produced many more colors, including pure white, solid black, chocolate, and blue. The males are quite large, weighing upwards of twelve pounds, with the smaller females reaching only seven or eight. Their feet have strong sharp claws and are built to grasp, so that they can perch on branches. Muscovies are very personable and fascinating birds, and quite intelligent (for a duck!) Unlike most domestic waterfowl, Muscovies will often fly up and roost. They lay extremely well and the females can be quite broody & exceptional mothers. The meat of the Muscovy is unlike that of the other domestic ducks. It is not greasy and is much more like veal than like poultry.
Black Cayugas
This is one of the breeds of duck developed in North America. It is a hardy and quiet breed. These ducks are best known for their plumage, which is a brilliant greenish-black. They are quite amazing to see in the sunlight. Early in the season, Cayuga eggs are usually black or dark gray, fading to light gray or blue over the laying season. They are decent layers and forage quite well. They are fairly small, four to six pounds at maturity.
Sebastopol Geese
These rare & gorgeous birds are classified as a medium size goose. They are only slightly larger than a Muscovy Drake. They are good foragers and once started, if you have plenty of grass and weeds you will have a low feed bill most of the year. They stay white if kept on grass or non-muddy areas. A pond is not required to keep these guys. I have several, small plastic kiddy pools along with a shallow feed pan with fresh water daily. Due to thier unique feather mutation Sebastopols are flightless and so they will need a fenced area to protect them from coyotes/dogs.
Muscovy Ducks
Muscovies are the only domestic ducks that are not derived from Mallards. They are a South & Central American species. The original (wild type) coloration is black and white, but domestication has produced many more colors, including pure white, solid black, chocolate, and blue. The males are quite large, weighing upwards of twelve pounds, with the smaller females reaching only seven or eight. Their feet have strong sharp claws and are built to grasp, so that they can perch on branches. Muscovies are very personable and fascinating birds, and quite intelligent (for a duck!) Unlike most domestic waterfowl, Muscovies will often fly up and roost. They lay extremely well and the females can be quite broody & exceptional mothers. The meat of the Muscovy is unlike that of the other domestic ducks. It is not greasy and is much more like veal than like poultry.Black Cayugas
This is one of the breeds of duck developed in North America. It is a hardy and quiet breed. These ducks are best known for their plumage, which is a brilliant greenish-black. They are quite amazing to see in the sunlight. Early in the season, Cayuga eggs are usually black or dark gray, fading to light gray or blue over the laying season. They are decent layers and forage quite well. They are fairly small, four to six pounds at maturity. Sebastopol Geese
These rare & gorgeous birds are classified as a medium size goose. They are only slightly larger than a Muscovy Drake. They are good foragers and once started, if you have plenty of grass and weeds you will have a low feed bill most of the year. They stay white if kept on grass or non-muddy areas. A pond is not required to keep these guys. I have several, small plastic kiddy pools along with a shallow feed pan with fresh water daily. Due to thier unique feather mutation Sebastopols are flightless and so they will need a fenced area to protect them from coyotes/dogs. 