Cluck! Cluck! Cluck!

We have chickens.  In addition to the eggs, meat, and pest control that these feathered fowl provide, they also provide entertainment.  Above is a 1 minute clip of some of  our chickens in action.

Have you heard of the Sand Hill Preservation Center?  Here is the link:  http://www.sandhillpreservation.com/
This is a wonderful place that sells heirloom poultry and seeds.  On the front of their hard copy catalogue is "over 1600 rare and genetic treasures for your selection."

During the long winter, this catalogue is a great one to just sit down and read . . . like a book.  The enterprise is run by a husband and wife team.  They live on a working farm.  The reader of the catalogue is also cautioned not to expect immediate email responses.   They also only take  orders by regular mail. Their time is limited.  And if you are someone who wants immediate service, this place is not for you.  But if you are someone who has patience and is willing to wait, wonderful things will come your way.

The catalogue is black and white.  The 2010 catalogue cover was done by a student at Calamus-Wheatland High School.  Sand Hill  Preservation Center is run by Iowans involved in their community.  I've never met these people, but I like them, just because of their catalogue.

My husband has been ordering seeds from them for several years, but this was the first year we decided to try their chickens.  What beautiful chickens they are turning out to be.  We ordered the farmyard assortment.  It's a crazy quilt of chickens!  Polish, Egyptian, the beautifully named Crevecouer, and other breeds.

Corporate farming involves millions of chickens -- all one breed -- the breed that will provide the most eggs and meat in the shortest amount of time.

Sand Hill Preservation Center is dedicated to those breeds of poultry who are overlooked and forgotten.  The seeds for the garden are heirloom seeds also.  Worthy genetic strains which still have value today.  If you are a "hobby" farmer or gardener, I urge to order one of Sand Hill's catalogues.  The catalogue in itself is a great read!