old CGSC Chicken Coop

What the cluck? The CGSC Chicken Coop

At the Gardens:

The Community Gardens of Santa Clarita has embraced the importance of having chickens in a community garden as well as the many sustainable benefits. The benefits of keeping chickens goes beyond the delicious fresh eggs they provide.

Benefits of having Chickens:
- Chicken poop provides the necessary nitrogen for a compost pile
- Chickens make great tillers
- Chickens are great compost turners
- Chickens are great garbage disposals
- Chickens are great insect control
- Chickens provide us with delicious eggs and meat

Breeds found in the Garden:

The Buff Orpington (2)

Rhode Island Reds (2)

The Buff Orpington are big, friendly dual-purpose birds originally developed in the UK, and for many small farms Orpingtons are the only way to go! They're friendly and cold-hardy due to their fluffy plumage. The Buff Orpington is the most popular and all varieties, especially the black and blue, are rare.

Origins/History:
Class: English
Type: Large Fowl & Bantam
Size: Heavy (7-8 lbs)
Rarity: Common
Purpose: Dual
Recognized Varieties: Buff, Black, Blue, White--Splash and Lavender (not recognized yet)

Egg Facts:
Egg Laying: Good (3/wk)
Egg Color: Brown
Egg Size: Large

Fancy Features:
Comb Type: Single Comb
Crested: No
Feathered Legs: No
Number of Toes: 4

Suitability to Backyard Life:
Hardy In Winter: Yes
Bears Confinement: Bears confinement well
Especially Docile: Yes
Setter/Broody: Yes
Personality: Calm and patient

Rhode Island Reds are held in such high esteem that they're the official Rhode Island state bird. They were once hugely popular in America, though they declined right along with the small farmer. Today they're making a comeback due to small flock owners (like us!). They're the do-everything bird: they lay exceptionally well, they're valued for their meat, they're extremely cold hardy, and hardy in general. In fact, if you're not certain what type of bird to raise in your climate, chances are, the Rhode Island Reds will do well. Sadly, White Rhode Islands don't enjoy nearly the same popularity despite all their redeeming characteristics.

Origins/History:
Class: American
Type: Large Fowl & Bantam
Size: Heavy (7-8 lbs)
Rarity: Common
Purpose: Dual
Recognized Varieties: Red, White

Egg Facts:
Egg Laying: Excellent (5/wk)
Egg Color: Brown
Egg Size: X-Large

Fancy Features:
Comb Type: Single Comb
Crested: No
Feathered Legs: No
Number of Toes: 4

Suitability to Backyard Life:
Hardy In Winter: Yes
Bears Confinement: Bears confinement well
Especially Docile: Yes
Setter/Broody: No
Personality: Generally easygoing

Ameraucana (3)

The Ameraucana breed was derived from blue egg laying chickens, but they do not have the breeding problems inherent to Araucanas. In addition, rather than ear tufts, they have muffs and a beard, and are very hardy and sweet. They lay eggs in shades of blue, and even have blue (or "slate") legs. Less rare than Araucanas, they are still quite rare and only available through breeders at this time. They should not be confused with Easter Eggers, which can lay blue and green eggs, and do not conform to any breed standard. However, many hatcheries continue to call their Easter Eggers "Americanas" (and other various misspellings). If you are interested in showing your birds, make sure that you have true Ameraucana or Araucana.

Origins/History:
Class: All Other Breeds
Type: Large Fowl & Bantam
Size: Medium (6-7 lbs)
Rarity: Rare
Purpose: Egg-laying
Recognized Varieties: Black, Blue, Blue Wheaten, Brown Red, Buff, Silver, Wheaten, White

Egg Facts:
Egg Laying: Good (3/wk)
Egg Color: Light Blue
Egg Size: Medium

Fancy Features:
Comb Type: Pea Comb
Crested: No
Feathered Legs: No
Number of Toes: 4

Suitability to Backyard Life:
Hardy In Winter: Yes
Bears Confinement: Bears confinement well
Especially Docile: Yes
Setter/Broody: No
Personality: Fun

Golden Lace Wyandotte (2)

The Wyandotte was first bred in the late 1880s and with a little refinement here and there has remained fairly unchanged since then. They are known for being fairly self-sufficient. Providing they are given the three basics (food, water and shelter) they can manage well by themselves. They are also an even tempered and docile breed that are not going to cause problems as well as a good breed for beginners as they are so calm. However small children should be watched carefully as the Wyandotte does not enjoy being picked up, held or cuddled - but they do like to be petted.

Egg Production:
Produce 200+ annually
Egg Color:
Light brown - large

Australorp (2)

The Australorp is a fairly recent arrival on the chicken scene. The combination of Orpington, Leghorn and Rhode Island Red genes made this bird a laying superstar! Since the major development of this breed was done in Australia, they are the honorary National bird of Australia. The Australorp, while shy initially, is known to be an extremely friendly large-breed chicken. They make the perfect children’s chicken and are great for those who are interested in fair chickens. The feathers have a beetle-green sheen in the sunlight giving a stunning iridescence to the feathers. It is somewhat 'stately' in walking - a trait it got from the Orpington which sort of glides across the barnyard. They will tolerate confinement well, but like most of the heavier, larger breeds will also enjoy free ranging and searching for bugs and morsels in the yard as they really do like to be active. They are a fast growing breed with a slightly shy demeanor initially, but once they settle in, they are likely to follow you around the yard in case you have any treats in your pockets!

Egg Production:
Produce 250 annually
Egg Color:
Light brown - medium

Cinnamon Queens (6)

The Cinnamon Queens are one of two modern day production brown egg laying strains from hybrid breeding that produce fast body development, fast egg production and rich brown egg shell color. These strains will start to lay eggs at a younger age than most standard breeds and produce big large/extra large brown eggs. They are also color sexable as cockerel chicks are white, and the pullet chicks are more brownish red in color. Feathering color varies with brownish feathers and white feathers on the adult hens. In the adult rooster feathering color varies from totally white, to white with light, to dark red feathers in shoulder feathers.

Main Use:
Egg Production / Meat Production
Egg Production:
Excellent (produce 250-300 annually)
Egg Color:
Brown (Large to XL in size)
This breed is cross bred with the Rhode Island White Female and the Rhode Island Red Male.

Creme Legbar (3)

The Legbar is a rare British auto
sexing chicken breed which
means chicks are distinct at
  hatching. Female chicks are
born with dark and light stripes
  on their bodies, while male
chicks are born with a lighter
  coat and a yellow spot on their
heads.The Cream Legbar is a
cross between Barred Plymouth
Rocks and Brown Leghorns, with
some Araucana and Gold Campine genes. In general, they are
  friendly, easily handled and quite sociable. They are excellent
  foragers, very watchful and predator savvy.

Egg Production:
Produce 230 annually
Egg Color:
Blue - medium

Black Maran (2)

French Black Marans are heritage, dual purpose chickens. The Marans, breed originates from a town called Marans, France. Its a very winter hardy breed with a docile temperament. ... Both Hens and Roosters are shimmery black, and chivalrous, with an upright and tall stance. They have bright red combs and wattles. They are more athletic and take to foraging and free ranging more often than other breeds. They also have feathering up the outside of their legs.

Egg Production:
Produce 200+ annually
Egg Color:
Dark brown - large