Which breeds work best in the garden? In my experience, light breeds and hybrids don’t work well free ranging in a garden. There is logic behind this observation. When they were developed as breeds it was to maximise their efficiency at producing eggs, both in terms of converting food into eggs and also at being able to source a lot of their own food; by nature, they excellent foragers. They are also designed to be low maintenance. By this I mean that they were bred to have no leg feathering to get covered in mud or disguise mite problems, while their body feathering is of a standard type, that is well suited to most climates. Most importantly, as broody hens don’t lay eggs, they predominantly have no desire to go broody.
So, what’s the answer to my opening question? It’s not as simple an answer as small chickens. On first impressions a flock of bantams wouldn’t look like they could cause much damage, could they? Wrong. Release a small flock of Leghorn bantams into a garden and it’s like something out of Jurassic Park as these mini velociraptors rip through the undergrowth. I speak from experience, not of velociraptors, but of a roving flock of brown Leghorns which made their presence known both in my garden and in my neighbour’s too.
The characteristics to look for instead are temperament, centre of gravity and legs. This might sound a little scientific, but it’s just about applying a bit of common sense. Docile breeds tend to be slow and deliberate in their movements. However, some of the most docile breeds tend to be the biggest. Brahmas, Cochins, Dorkings and Orpingtons are all well known for their size. However, they are also known for their generally laid-back attitude. If your garden is large enough for these giants, then they can work rather well.
Denne historien er fra July 2020-utgaven av Country Smallholding.
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Denne historien er fra July 2020-utgaven av Country Smallholding.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
The Secret World Of The Honey Bee
Who knew that honey bees are the best builders? Nicola Bradbear from Bees for Development reveals how they build their parallel wax combs with extraordinary accuracy
Tip the light fantastic
The latest offering from Ifor Williams Trailers is the Single Axle Tipper, which is simply perfect for small-scale farmers
The legacy of The Good Life
The Good Life captured the public’s imagination when it first aired in 1975. On Country Smallholding’s 45th birthday, Jeremy Hobson looks at this and other programmes with a self-sufficiency slant that have captivated urban and rural dwellers alike over nearly half a century
‘The hens took shelter under the pig trailer in the paddock'
A tree Armageddon frightens poultry diarist Julian Hammer’s flock and leaves him with a mammoth clear-up job
Tools of the trade
In the second part of his mini-series on tools that are useful around the holding, Kevin Alviti takes an in-depth look at the iconic scythe, a thistle paddle and forks that were once virtually indispensable to small-scale farmers
The nightclub bouncer of the sheep world
Adam Henson waxes lyrical about the Texel, which boasts such a stocky body that it resembles a box of muscle on four legs
Buying on a tight budget
As demand for smallholdings increases and prices continue to rise, is there a way to achieve your dream without forking out a fortune? In the first part of a new mini-series, Liz Shankland explores the possibilities
Crazy for crafts
In an ordinary back garden and single paddock near Kidderminster, Kay Dalloway has created both a thriving smallholding and a successful fibre business — all while working full time for the NHS. Helen Babbs drops by to find out about her ventures
Game on
A little preparation in the autumn months will help to make the transition into winter smoother and put your garden and tools on a better footing come the spring, says Stephanie Bateman
1975 And All That
Country Smallholding is 45 this month. To celebrate, Jeremy Hobson takes a look at some of the changes — both good and bad — to small-scale farming over that near half-century
