Our chickens have been selected over the last 16yrs to be good foragers and
definitely good survivors as chicks are raised free-ranging with hens in our
Ozark woods. I have always selected eggs to hatch based on both color saturation
and size/shape, so I feel like we have an important production line within the
Ameraucana breed. We’ve had great success shipping hatching eggs, with satisfied
clients from Maine to Alaska, but let me forewarn you that the hatched chicks
will be stained yellow from the foraging diet of the hens. Keep in mind, if you
purchase hatching eggs from us, that our birds are grazers so I recommend that
you make some type of grazing available: cereal rye (comes up fast and stays
soft), VNS clover (likes heat), radishes, arugula... even just a well watered,
organic lawn will do. Many who have raised our chicks alongside other chicks are
amazed at the difference in the color of the yolk when they lay (which comes
from the carotenoid form herbage they eat). While everyone, who has bothered to
respond to my inquires, tells me that my lines do well in cages too, you will be
amazed at the difference in production with grazing, and just wait 'till you
taste them … you can set your price at the farmers market. Here is some
important information about the superior nutrition of eggs from grazing hens:
http://www.eatwild.com/healthbenefits.htm
We had a disastrous year last year with a loss of over 30% of the flock. Two
flash floods took out all my chicks and some adults in the late spring and a 3
month drought right after brought all predators around to harass us every
daylight hour. I’ve heard of other people loosing 90% or everything, so perhaps
these birds really are survivors.
This year, one flock has exceptional Blue roosters (Ranger Bobs) and blue &
splash hens, all F2s from outcrossing to outside lines. This pen is producing
outstanding blue feathering and excellent layers. They have a tick or too
less-blue egg, not that you would notice unless you put right next to the very
best, but every chick that survived has been a keeper and this flock fared the
best with few losses of adults.
The second pen had more trouble, loosing most all the young stock. This pen is
producing fabulous blue colored eggs and better feather quality (the greenest
blacks I’ve seen), not to mention the hens have such pretty faces, but I had a
recessive straight comb show up on test breeding and no time to test my young
replacement so I will not guarantee that this pen does not carry the recessive
straight comb until late fall when I can afford to pull out the rooster and test
him or replace him with a known “clean” bird. Chances are low but I want to
fair.
The mottled project took the worst hit with the loss of all homozygous mottle
roosters and all but 5 homozygous mottle hens. I’m waiting on some roosters from
Joseph Woodiel and have arranged to ship all available hatching eggs to helping
breeders to get the back on track. If you are interested in helping repopulate
the project, please let me know but be aware that you may be getting a low
percentage of homozygotes and be prepared to commit to a couple of years.
Luckily, the quality of the hens is good and they like their new, better
protected home. Contact me directly to discuss custom hatching or to talk
genetics rose@masoncreekfarm.com
Chebo the Survivor
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Very nice blue son of Ranger Bob, good comb & eye. One of the few youngsters to make it through a hellish two year s, he's now with the black Brutus and a few old Ocho daughters and doing a GREAT job. This is the first rotation of our genetics producing what we can truely call Mason Creek Farms line (5 generations).
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Chicks & eggs
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Hatching eggs: $17.5/1dz,$15ea/2dz,$12.5ea/3dz + shipping, in 3 varieties: blue/black/splash, mottle, sexlink easter-eggers. Custom hatched chicks are available for pick-up at the farm $5/ea
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Diablo
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The best black I have ever raised; probably a Marcus son. He average sized with marked intelligence and perfect pea comb & green sheen. He's busy with the black and blue hens and seems to have a good relationship with Chebo so we should get good fertility ratio out of this bunch.
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Eureka's Nugget
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Good sized young roo w/great mottle and very green sheen. Very pleasant personality. He's with mottled pullets so all mottle chicks from this bunch.
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Mckinley's Eureka
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Domino line hetero rooster. Eyes are much darker than usual and exceptional shape. He has excellent green sheen with a little gold leaking in his hackles. He is with the hetero domino hens, a couple homozygous mottle Mckinley pullets. The mottle pattern on almost all of his first pullets is a well balanced pattern over all of the body with plenty of melanin in the shank & beak.
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Ranger Bob
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The remaining Bobby Blue son is with the better blue & splash hens and are producing excellent blues & splash birds. Great eye color & personality.
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Reverend AL
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Probably a Marcus son, this young guy has maybe the smallest comb I've ever had. He's a little on the small side but full bodied & very good eye color, shank color & temperament. He's become #2 man with the best show quality splash & blue flock ... I can't wait to see this years hatch!
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Suddenly Seymore
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I'm pretty sure this is a Springfield line roo out of Trebbert, but can't be certain. He's a keeper, regardless,as he has such a beautiful comb. His eyes need work but has he good shape, is medium sized, and has lots of color and its spread evenly over his body. VERY nice temperament .
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