Layers

Camps Road Farm egg layers live exclusively on pasture in mobile coops. These coops are moved every day following a carefully planned, rotational grazing pattern ensuring a fresh forage of grass and bugs for the bird and great organic pest control for the farmer. Our layers enjoy certified organic, non-GMO supplemental grain from Morrison’s Feeds and scraps from the garden and kitchen.

Breeds Currently on the Farm

• Barred Rocks, also known as Plymouth Rocks, or simply Rocks, are an American breed of bird developed in New England during the 1800s. Considered a “dual purpose” bird, the Barred Rock is valued for its meat and egg laying prowess. They are generally well tempered and are also known for being excellent mothers. This cold-hardy bird fares very well during New England Winters.

 

• Redstars. There are many variations of this prodigious egg layer, but one common trait among them is that sex can be determined at hatching by color.

 

• Easter Eggers are often confused with their cousins, the Araucana, and the Ameraucana. All lay blued hued eggs  The color is a result of a retrovirus that occurred sometime during domestication. Of course, humans are not affected by this. In fact, their eggs are very popular among customers, which makes up for the fact that they are not considered strong layers.

 

• Orpingtons are another breed prized for it’s meat quality and egg production. Like Rocks, they are good mothers, well tempered, and so cold-hardy they will lay throughout Winter.

 

• Black Australorps were developed in Austrailia during the late 19th century by crossing Black Orpingtons with Long Island Reds, Langshan, White Leghorn, Minorca, and Barred Rock. Regarded as one of the best utility breeds, their egg laying ability broke world records during the early 20th century (364 eggs in 365 days) without the use of artificial light during the short winter days.