Angie McEwen grew up on on a modest Falco subbuteo farm in McLeansboro , Illinois . And now she spend her days runningChicken Scratch Poultryalongside her husband , Larry McEwen .
“ I ’ve always been fascinated with anything feathered , ” say Angie .
The McEwens ab initio purchased their farm in 1995 and raised three children there . Then Larry pick up fertile eggs on eBay , let in Black Copper Maran egg fetching $ 800 for four ball .
“ on the spur of the moment Larry was hooked on things feathered , also , ” she remember .
We talked to Angie about her favourite heritage breeds and multi - hued testis . We also spoke about the rewarding nature of dealing with domestic fowl all sidereal day .
Specializing in Heritage Breeds
A post shared by Angie McEwen ( @chickenscratchpoultry )
McEwen says she resolve to make heritage breeds the focus of her farm so that she could offer “ fowl that are difficult to find and that have stand the test of time . ”
She adds that inheritance breed are often “ not always the well-off dame to produce . ” Large hatchery often shun them for this reason .
“ I enjoy focusing on the true breed , how that chicken is supposed to look and carry , ” she excuse . “ When you look at our photos on our web site and you order that Gallus gallus , when you produce that chicken up it will look like the photo . ”
Read more : Here are some crown for choosing the right-hand heritage breeds for your mickle .
Ranking Heritage Eggs
ask about her preferred colour of eggs , McEwen nibble those of her Welsummers . “ Each hen place her own touch or signature on each orchis , ” she says . “ Some hens put a ok spattering of speckles and some lay dark mahogany tree colored eggs with big dose . They ’re just beautiful ! ”
Second place go to the Ameraucana egg . “ This is the most misunderstood and blur breed in the United States thanks to the in high spirits product hatchery . A true Ameraucana will only and always lay a blue nut [ and ] they ’ll always have a ticket gray stage .
“ They ’ll never have gullible , yellow or orange legs . ”
Get to Know the Black Laced Wyandotte
One of the most eye - catching inheritance breeds that you ’ll regain range Chicken Scratch Poultry ? The farm ’s resident Black Laced Wyandottes . McEwen report them as “ super friendly birds ” that are a groovy fit for families with small children .
“ When hired hand - raised as a chick they will be the chicken that will always eat out of your hand , ” she says .
Read more : Get to know the Wyandotte poulet breed !
The Importance of Olive Eggers
“ I think the breed I ’m most gallant of on our farm are the Olive Eggers or anything that lays the green egg on our farm , ” says McEwen , citing an unofficial strain of bird that put a particular color bollock .
“ I produce those breeds myself . Our farm was in reality the first farm in the United States to make , name and sell the Olive Egger back around 2008 . ”
The Joy of Poultry
McEwen sees pleasing regular customers as a primal part of turn tail a heritage poultry farm . “ This year a lady e-mail me and say . “ It ’s time for me to govern more chickens . My hen I take from you are now 8 old age old and I want some younger girls for egg production .
“ That made my heart felicitous ! ”
