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Saxony and Silver Appleyard ducks, 2 wonderful breeds from the early 20th century, when 2 breeders, began with existing local breeds, originally descended from the hardy native Mallard duck, Working in isolation, in early 20th century Germany and England, they produced their similar visions of the ideal heavy, dual purpose duck. No relation to the commonly raised Muscovy or Barbary duck of tropical South America, these beautifully feathered large ducks grow rapidly on pasture, finish a less fatty roasting duck of 4-5 lbs, and lay as many of their big, rich eggs as any heritage chicken. Both breeds have been admitted to the APA standard recently, though still very uncommon, with the Saxony remaining especially rare. Nothing is easier to raise on pasture than these beautiful, comical ducks.
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Beltsville Small White Turkeys, bred by the USDA at its Beltsville Md. research station in the dirty 1930's to make turkeys a viable product for desperate Depression-era farmers, the Beltsville Small White turkey is a miracle of traditional selective breeding, and a priceless agriculture heritage. This small, busty, naturally reproducing heritage turkey looks like its descendant, the modern giant industrial BBW, but there the similarity ends. Smart and personable, hardy, fertile and strong foragers, layers of delicious eggs almost year-round, they produce a delicious meaty table bird 8-15 pounds in 6-7 months , and will breed naturally in their second year. Designated as "critically endangered" by Rare Breeds Canada and the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, they are the ideal choice for the small or hobby farm, and are an APA standard breed for exhibition. Smaller, and so gentle and friendly, they make a great 4H project for the younger kids. Kids are certain to win ribbons at the county fairs with their charming Beltsvilles, and your family will be "hooked" on turkeys!
White Chantecler Chickens, originally bred at the Abbey Notre Dame du Lac at Oka, PQ in the 1900's, the white Chantecler is Canada's native heritage chicken breed. Brother Wilfred developed a "Canadian" chicken, a dual purpose meat and laying bird, tolerant of bitter Canadian weather, and reputed to continue laying their large, creamy brown eggs through the long winters, when American and European breeds give up. Active and athletic foragers, they are quick and wary enough to reduce predation losses on range, and to look after themselves around the farm. Chantecler roosters are usually gentle with humans, and an excellent choice for the younger poultry keepers. On the Rare Breeds Canada and ALBC "critical" lists, and recognized by the APA in 1921.
Plain-headed Roman Geese, the tiny, storybook goose, believed to be among the first domesticated geese in Europe, descended from the Arctic Graylag goose, and perhaps the geese of the Temple of Juno, credited with saving Rome by alerting the sleeping sentries to the night time attack of the Gauls. These ancient geese continue to be an important commercial breed elsewhere, producing small traditional Michaelmas and Yuletide geese, but are almost extinct in North America. The "tufted" mutation was selected as the standard for exhibition by the APA. Ours are of the original type, surviving representatives of the original, ancient goose, that may have graced Caesar's feast table.
