Keeping Chickens on a Small Scale - Backyard Farming: On an Acre - page 186

combs make them cold-hardy. Even though they will be out-laid by your other hens in the summer,
your Araucanas may well be the best layers in the winter months. They are adaptable birds that do
well in both confinement and free run.
Minorca. Minorca chickens are one of the larger white-egg layers and can reach 6 to 7 pounds in
size at maturity. They lay 220 to 240 very large white eggs when they fully mature. Some strains
are reported to be more flighty, while others are friendlier. Minorcas are usually glossy black but
there are buff strains and white strains as well. They have large combs and wattles that are subject
to freezing in cold winter areas, but they are more tolerant of heat and humidity than other breeds
might be.
Welsummer. This rare breed produces large, red-brown eggs at the rate of about 220 eggs per year.
Welsummers are a pretty black and brownish-red color, and they mature to an average size of 6 to
7 pounds. The birds are friendly and even the roosters stay nonaggressive, which is great in a small
backyard where the chickens will be running loose. Welsummers are considered good foragers in
pasture and grassy areas, and will also be occasionally broody.
Orpington. Round and fluffy in appearance, Orpingtons are actually larger than you might think
and mature at 8 to 10 pounds in size. My favorite variety is the Buff Orpington; however, black,
blue, and white varieties are also common. The iridescent sheen of the orangey buff coloration is a
delight to watch in the backyard. Moderate egg layers, Orpingtons produce three to four eggs per
week, and tend to lay well throughout the year because their large size makes them more tolerant
of winter weather. Their heavy stature makes them poor fliers and allows them to be contained
with only casual fencing.
One of my Buff Orpington females, already feathered out and moved to her outdoor yard, but not laying yet.