Day-old Hatchlings
ORDER YOUR SPRING 2011 HATCHLINGS NOW!
Ordering information (scroll down)
2011 Offerings
We are currently accepting orders for Saxony ducklings, Narragansett turkeys, and started black Muscovies. Our Ancona and White Dorking chicks should be availabe for the 2012 season.
White Dorking The White Dorking needs no better resume than their more than 2000 years of service on the homestead. This is an ancient breed dating back to the Roman Empire. Indeed, it is generally accepted that these were the first chickens brought by English settlers to the New World.
Dorkings are a dual purpose fowl for meat and egg production. They are exquisite table fare, which has been their crowning glory for hundreds of years. In 2009 the Ayreshire Farm-ALBC taste-test of various heritage and industrial fowl reaffirmed their position of superiority once again. The White Dorking is the premier roasting fowl offered by Yellow House Farm.
Hens will brood, having some of the best mothering skills in the chicken world. When a hen is broody, however, she does not lay. Dorkings like to spend the summer months mothering, and egg-production may consequently fall off, resuming in the fall after her molt. With proper management, however, laying can often be maintained.
Dorkings tend to be quite gentle and low key. They are exceptional foragers, although more vulnerable to predators than Anconas due to their white feathering and superior size. White Dorkings are extremely rare. UNAVAILABLE IN 2011
Black Muscovy Ducks
Muscovies are a supreme meat duck. They are very well muscled, lean, and flavorful. Muscovies are ideal for the homestead. They are excellent foragers, excellent and prolific mothers (often raising multiple clutches), free from disease, and full of personality,
Our stock comes from two prize-winning strains and is rather beautiful--in that way that only a muscovy can be beautiful.
Long-lived and productive, muscovies will be a great addition to your farm or homestead.
Narragansett Turkeys
Narragansetts are the original New England turkey. They are strikingly beautiful and quite docile. Narragansetts, unlike industrial turkeys, are capable of natural reproduction, and Narragansett hens make excellent mothers.
Heritage turkey meat is most flavorful--aromatic and multi-dimensional. It is certainly a step up from the ever blander industrial ersatz.
Narragansett turkeys, like all heritgae breed turkeys, are excellent foragers, and will scrounge much of their own food if allowed to roam.
Ordering Information
1) Eggs are set to order. All stock is sold straight run, an approximately 50/50 mix of pullets and cockerels. When space is limited, 12 is a good place to begin. However, However, most homesteads will find that a minimum of 25 chicks is needed. 50 chicks is a common hatching goal when sufficient hatchlings are desired to provide both layers and meat-birds for the freezer. In 2010, only Anconas are offered in lots of 50.
2) Pricing:
Dorkings: 12/$72.00, 25/$125.00, 50/$225.00 UNAVAILABLE IN 2011
Narragansetts: 6/$48.00, 12/$84.00, 25/$150.00
Muscovies are sold as started ducklings between 6 and 8 weeks of age. They are $15.00 each and will be available by mid-summer.
3) Chicks are hatched on a weekly basis. Pick-up days are Saturday between 9am and 12am. Orders are filled on a first come, first served basis. Upon receipt of your order, you shall receive a post card announcing the expected hatch date.
4) To order, send check or money order to: Yellow House Farm, 463 Washington Street, Barrington, NH, 03825. Be sure to include any appropriate contact information, the number of chicks desired, and desired pick up date if there is a preferred time.
5) Orders are not considered booked until full payment is received. An e-mail or phone call of inquiry does not constitute an order.
6) Orders are non-refundable.
7) Please order early if you are hoping for a certain date.
8) Stock is picked up at the farm on the assigned pick-up date (see above). Orders that are not picked up on the assigned date will accrue a $5.00 babysitting fee per day. Any stock not picked up within one week of hatch will be forfeit.
9) Unfortunately, we shan't be shipping stock for the 2011 season.
10) We specialize in rare heritage breeds that are excellent for homesteading. In our breeding programs, we breed to the Standard, emphasizing production qualities first and more superficial show qualities second.