The Heritage Nestis all about coalesce heritage poultry breeds with a sensory faculty of self - adequacy . “ We love the many unique breeds out there and preserving them just seemed to come naturally , ” explains Lena Martens , who execute the family - centered Ontario - based venture in Canada .

Counting Speckled Sussex , Swedish Flower and Silverudd Isbar breeds among the farm ’s social rank , Martens says that living surrounded by so much fowl quickly becomes “ fabulously entertaining ” as she learns about each chicken ’s “ unique personality . ”

We utter to Martens about set about to know super plucky roosters and dual - purpose chickens . We also got up to speed with a unexampled Babydoll sheep addition to the farm .

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Developing an Interest in Heritage Breeds

A post divvy up by THE HERITAGE NEST ( @the_heritage_nest )

“ Growing up I had no approximation there were so many motley of crybaby , ” say Martens as she appear back on how she came to be so smitten with inheritance breeds .

“ I knew there were bed and meat chick , that ’s all — but when we discovered the many amazing different heritage breeds , one affair led to another until we are where we are today . ”

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Read more : Check out these unique heritage - breed skirt !

Spotlight on the Silverudd Isbar

Silverudd Isbar hens play a fundamental role at The Heritage Nest . Martens admits that sometimes the breed might not be the most dramatic on first coup d’oeil , but “ the blue and splash are pretty amazing ! ” The Olea europaea - hue eggs they produce are also a delicacy .

Martens adds that the rooster are particularly handsome and sport an array of “ beautiful colors”—although they are also prostrate to bouts of feistiness .

Appreciating the Speckled Sussex

Martens latterly commented on an Instagram situation that she ’s surprised the Speckled Sussex breed is n’t more popular .

“ Many people are looking for a dual - purpose wimp , and I feel like this breed still needs to be discovered , ” she says . “ I am win over once that happens they would be greatly apprise . ”

deck out with deep red feathers that include splashes of white and blue , Martens adds that the biddy are “ very favorable and in reality quite great , ” along with being beneficial layers .

record more : Dual - purpose chickens impart flexibility to the coop .

Poultry Care During Cold Times

When the colder weather strikes , Martens order that dealing with frozen water and keeping the bedding clean are her biggest domestic fowl challenge .

“ Because our nidus is thoroughgoing inheritance breed , we have all our chicken inside and in disjoined pens , ” she explain . “ In order for them to appease good for you , we are invariably needing to add together bedding to keep everything clean and dry . ”

Small Sheep Make Great Pets

The Heritage Nest recently added Babydoll sheep to the nonmigratory brute . “ We love the idea of a smaller sheep for a pet , ” enthuses Martens . “ It was strictly their adorable smile face that won us over . And the sizing works so well on a small hobby farm with shaver . ”

Martens adds that her family have found the sheep to be “ very friendly , and the baby are beyond adorable”—and she expects the phone number of Babydolls on the hobby farm to expand .