This is one of those “Dear Diary” blog entries that I’m writing as much for me and posterity as it is for your viewing pleasure. I received an invitation to attend the Royal Poultryville Ball at P. Allen Smith’s Garden Home in Arkansas this month and the story-line read better than Cinderella! While it included a handsome, charming gentleman and a Greek revival palace, it had the added bonus of heritage breed chickens, 175,000 daffodils and 650 acres of farmland. Notably absent were chores, fussy shoes, curfews and wicked step-sisters. The Chicken Chick in Poultryville began on an idyllic spring day in Arkansas…
Mr. Chicken Chick and I flew into Little Rock and drove straight to Moss Mountain Farm to meet P. Allen Smith and his team. The Poultry Workshop was scheduled for the next day, but the producers wanted me there the day before to film some television and radio segments with Allen. The free-ranging, dust-bathing Buff Orpingtons were the preliminary welcome wagon, which made me feel at home immediately. Moments later, Allen’s assistant and producer/director warmly greeted us, offering an umbrella, hat and/or sunscreen. After the winter we had endured in New England, I passed on all three, opting for maximum sun exposure at my voluntary peril.
We were invited to enjoy exploring the property while Allen finished filming elsewhere. The following photos were from our self-guided tour. I wish you could have been there. Meet Amos. He’s a Buff Orpington rooster who kept a watch on his free-ranging ladies far from Poultryville, near the Garden Home.
These are a few of Amos’ ladies. THAT is what a Buff Orpington should look like!
This view is from the porch of the Garden home, looking out over the sheep pasture, the waterfowl park and Poultryville (the red roofed structure in the distance).
Dinner bell at the Garden Home.
they are both nova browns thanks
my chickens are novo browns
i have 2 novo browns i feed them farmgate layers pellets but i tried to get them to eat crushed oyster shell but they wont touch it is there anything i can give them there 5 months old thank you
HAS ANYONE GOT ANY TIPS ON HOW TO GET CHICKENS BACK IN TO THE COOP IM NEW TO ALL THIS AND THEY HAVE BECAME WISE TO ALL THE BRIBES I TRY TO GET THEM IN THE COOP MANY THANKS
Depends on the breed but any time now. It may take a couple of weeks for them to settle into a routine and start to lay. Hope you have quiet nesting boxes ready. Have fun and take pictures of your first egg.