Elevate Your Backyard Flock with Heritage and Pure-Bred Chickens

Embarking on the journey of raising your own backyard flock of heritage chickens is an exciting endeavor. At Chesapeake Farm & Hatchery, we offer a diverse selection of 13 premier heritage breeds that are known for their beauty, charming personalities, and excellent egg-laying abilities. These breeds are also well-adapted for the Mid-Atlantic region.

Explore the unique characteristics of our featured heritage breeds and discover the perfect companions for your feathered flock in Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia.

  1. Rhode Island Red: The Classic Performer

    • Temperament: Known for their friendly and docile nature, Rhode Island Reds make excellent additions to family flocks.
    • Egg Production: A prolific layer, this breed lays large brown eggs consistently, providing a bountiful supply for your household.

  2. Barnevelder: Aesthetic Beauty with Utility

    • Temperament: Barnevelders are known for their calm and gentle demeanor, making them ideal for family settings.
    • Egg Production: Renowned for their rich, chocolate-brown eggs, Barnevelders add a touch of elegance to your egg basket.

  3. Blue Laced Red Wyandotte: Stunning and Sturdy

    • Temperament: With a calm and confident demeanor, Blue Laced Red Wyandottes are a pleasure to have in any backyard flock.
    • Egg Production: In addition to their striking appearance, these hens lay brown eggs with consistent reliability.

  4. Buff Orpington: Gentle Giants

    • Temperament: Known for their friendly and easygoing nature, Buff Orpingtons are perfect for families with children.
    • Egg Production: This breed is a reliable layer of large brown eggs, ensuring a steady supply for your household.

  5. Plymouth Barred Rock: Classic and Adaptable

    • Temperament: Barred Rocks are known for their friendly and easy-to-manage personalities, making them great for beginners.
    • Egg Production: Consistent layers of brown eggs, these birds are a reliable source for your daily egg needs.

  6. Black Copper Marans: Beauty and Egg Excellence

    • Temperament: Marans are known for their calm demeanor, making them a pleasant addition to any backyard setting.
    • Egg Production: Famous for their dark chocolate-brown eggs, Black Copper Marans add a touch of gourmet to your egg collection.

  7. Golden Laced Wyandotte: Beauty and Practicality

    • Temperament: With a calm and confident demeanor, Golden Laced Wyandottes are a pleasure to have in any backyard flock.
    • Egg Production: In addition to their striking appearance, these hens lay brown eggs with consistent reliability.

  8. Silver Laced Wyandotte: Elegant and Productive

    • Temperament: With a calm and confident demeanor, Silver Laced Wyandottes are a pleasure to have in any backyard flock.
    • Egg Production: In addition to their striking appearance, these hens lay brown eggs with consistent reliability.

  9. Blue Copper Marans: Beauty and Egg Excellence

    • Temperament: Marans are known for their calm demeanor, making them a pleasant addition to any backyard setting.
    • Egg Production: Famous for their dark chocolate-brown eggs, Blue Copper Marans add a touch of gourmet to your egg collection.

  10. Lavendar Orpingtons: A Lavender Colored Delight

    • Temperament: Lavender Orpingtons are a true delight, known for their exquisite lavender-colored plumage and gentle temperament.
    • Egg Production: Reliable producers of large, light brown eggs with a pleasing taste and strong shells.

  11. Black Australorps: Elegance and Eggcitement

    • Temperament: Black Australorp chickens are a true delight, known for their glossy black feathers and gentle disposition.
    • Egg Production: Excellent producers of large, brown eggs, known for their outstanding laying consistency.

  12. BBS Ameraucana: Stunning and Gentle

    • Temperament: BBS (Blue, Black, Splash) chickens are a sight to behold, renowned for their stunning feather colors and gentle nature. With their captivating blue, black, and splash patterns, they bring a touch of elegance to any flock.
    • Egg Production: Excellent producers of blue eggs, adding a colorful and unique touch to your egg basket.

  13. Self Blue Ameraucanas: A Sight to Behold

    • Temperament: Self Blue Ameraucanas are a sight to behold, renowned for their stunning feather colors and gentle nature. With their captivating blue patterns, they bring a touch of elegance to any flock.
    • Egg Production: Excellent producers of blue eggs, adding a colorful and unique touch to your egg basket.

Heritage Chickens for Your Family

Choosing the right heritage breed of chickens for your backyard flock is crucial. At Chesapeake Farm & Hatchery, we’re here to guide you every step of the way whether it is your first time raising chickens or a hobby you’ve enjoyed for many years. If you’re not sure where to start, contact us for personalized assistance today.

If you’re looking for heritage chickens that have been curated for their gentle temperaments, egg production, and overall appeal, we have a selection of well-adapted heritage chicken breeds as hatching eggs, hatchlings, or pullets  that will make themselves at home in your backyard for years to come.