How Would You Like Your Eggs? Heritage Please
Many Twin Peak Tiny guests say they enjoy our fresh farm eggs, which come with all the ‘ethical trimmings’ i.e., free and rotationally grazed and pasture fed. However, often receiving less attention is the wording ‘Heritage’ breeds. Hence, this blog is designed to explain some of the differences between heritage and commercial chickens. Arguably when it comes to the treatment of chickens, the breeds chosen by the owner can have significant implications. But what exactly are heritage chickens, and why does it matter? Most eggs bought in supermarkets are from commercial chickens. These chickens, free range or otherwise, are mostly bred for fast growth and high egg production. This may sound a good combination to some customers, but it isn’t without consequences to the chickens. The lifespan with the average commercial chicken is only 2 or 3 years. In contrast, heritage chickens can live up to 15 years.
So, what are heritage chickens? ‘Heritage’ refers to the traditional breeds such as Australorps, Rhode Island Reds, and Sussex that have been around for generations. They reach maturity at a natural pace, which allows their organs, bones, and muscles to develop properly. Consequently, heritage hens can live many healthy years and lay eggs well into their later life. If well cared for, it is not uncommon for heritage chicken breeds to live up to 8 or even 10 years. For example, we had a white Sussex chicken who lived until she was 13 and laid eggs every year. Whereas commercial chicken breeds, because of the high-production demands on their bodies, are lucky to make it past 3 years. Furthermore, due to their genetic diversity, heritage chickens are well-suited to a free-range life with greater resistance to disease.
Choosing heritage breeds means egg suppliers may not benefit from the large quantity of eggs laid by commercial breeds, such as ‘Isa Browns’, but rather enjoy a steady egg production from happy chickens over many years. Here in the NSW far south coast we are lucky to have excellent heritage breeders, one of who lives nearby us and specialises in breeding for the ‘backyard’, rather than for the show circuit. Deborah Gough from Schoolhouse Farm provides many local residents, including ‘Twin Peak Tiny’, with a variety of heritage chickens. Deborah shares her wealth of knowledge for promoting healthy happy chickens with her customers which often starts with selecting the right chicken breeds.
According to Deborah, a further advantage of selecting heritage chickens is being able to benefit from their relaxed temperaments, varied personalities and ‘peak’ production times. Consequently, their owners can have a diverse, harmonious flock and consistent egg laying throughout the year. In contrast some commercial breeds can be far more aggressive to other chickens and less easy to integrate. Maybe their aggression is understandable, I for one would not be in a very good mood if I had to lay and egg the size of my head practically every day of the year!!