Choosing chickens
Thomas Hobson was a livery stable owner in Cambridge in the late 16th/early 17th century. When a customer (typically, a student) came to take a horse for riding, in order to rotate the use of his horses he would offer the rider the choice of the horse nearest the stable door, or none at all.
Black Rock Hen
We had decided we would start with four Black Rock pullets. These are very hardy birds, resistant to parasites, and good layers. The web site of the Black Rock Hatchery lists an agent in Orkney (on the ‘mainland’), so yesterday morning I called them to see if I could order a few. Unfortunately we were too late. Or too early. They have only two batches a year; the first lot have all gone now, and the next ones won’t arrive until the end of August, and therefore won’t be available until almost the end of the year.
So, rather than have our new deluxe accomodation sitting empty for months, we thought we could try to find some tenants elsewhere – obviously these wouldn’t be Black Rocks, as these are only available from the approved agent.
Cochin Chickens
I called a breeder in Holm (on Orkney mainland) – Sue Wright – to see what she had available. She had just four: Blue Cochins. After a very brief discussion with Beth (with Sue holding on), we said we would take them. Sue has kindly offered to put them on the ferry in Kirkwall, and Beth will collect them at this end. We then ordered a feeder and drinker from the interwebs, and popped down to the Butcher’s shop to order some feed, which “the boys” will drop off shortly.
Cochin
Cochins are large birds, originally bred in China. It is said that their import to the UK, in the 19th century, and subsequent ownership by Queen Victoria, was responsible for starting off the chicken breeding and owning activity in the UK which continues today. They are friendly, easily-handled, and quite hardy. They aren’t prolific layers, but between them we can expect around an egg a day on average, which is adequate for our needs for now. So it seems that Mr Hobson may have chosen well for us.