Chickens
Rhode Island Reds
These hennies make up the majority of our flock. Little Hill Animal Rescue are a wonderful animal charity that (as part of their extensive animal welfare efforts) rescue ex-commercial hens from slaughter, and finding them new homes all around the country. A lot of these hens have never felt sun on their backs or the touch of grass. Our goal in Fangorn is to provide a safe, and comfortable retirement for these hens.
Sometimes, these poor hens arrive to us in a terrible condition due to a life of cages and overcrowding and require some extra TLC to become the hens there were meant to be. Its amazing the transformation that can be seen after a few weeks of good food, sunshine, and comfortable surrounds can do for these hens.
They become bold as brass. Tiny cute dinosaurs.
Diamond Blue
The Diamond Blue is a cross between Blue Plymouth Rock with Barred Plymouth Rock. We took in a few of these girls from an Organic Farmer near Mallow, Richard’s Little Farm. Then hens were in great condition when we got them, a testament to the good care they got from Richard.
Quite skittish but can be bribed with the right amount of tasty snacks.
Diamond Black
Another former resident from Richard’s Little Farm.
The Diamond Black is the result of crossing Rhode Island Red paternal stock with Barred Plymouth Rock maternal stock. Day old chicks can be colour sexed. Day old cockerel chicks are barred with white spot on the head and day old hen chicks are dark without a spot on their heads.
Black feathered with a touch of brown. Highly adaptable to all situations. Very curious and cheeky.
Diamond Barred Sussex
A cross between a Barred and Sussex, these gorgeous girls are easily offended. Likes snacks. Dislikes rain and bed time.
Other Residents
Waterfowl
Khaki Campbell Ducks
We have 15 Khaki Campbell ducks that free range around the grounds. They are expert foragers and any gardener’s friend. They love foraging for slugs, snails, grubs, damaging beetles, grasshoppers, and many more insect pests.
Aylesbury Ducks
We have 3 Aylesbury Ducks here in Fangorn. They grew up with the geese so they are considered part of their flock and sleep together in their own house.
They are slightly less skittish than the Khaki ducks, they are also much bigger and have louder quacks!
Geese
Nibbles and Manny are the Queen and King of Fangorn. They get first dibs on treats and foods. Nibbles has raised from an egg here and Manny was given to us by a neighbour a few fields away.
If they see you, they will honk and demand tribute.