................... and finally

[Hen-Gen]

First to admit, these are not my birds but pictures purloined from the internet.
I keep and breed Dominiques on the bottom right. On the years that I do not need more stock I mate them to a Lavender Araucana, bottom left. This is a sex linked mating which means I can euthenase the cockerels at hatching. The pullets grow to be black with crests and lay blue/green eggs. These are essentially identical to a very rare strain called the Shetland Hen. I sell hatching eggs as Atlantic Hens (Shetland strain).

 

[LadyA]

Lovely! I love the result of the cross. Beautiful, and sturdy looking.

 

[Marigold]

I could use a couple of those. What a pity you can't post pullets.

 

[bigyetiman]

Our neighbour remembers getting pullets and chicks by mail. They would order them and they would come via the mail train and be dropped off at Romford station, the station master would phone and they would go off to the station and pick them up.

 

[Hen-Gen]

As a lad I remember getting my first white Gloster Canary on the Mail Train from Yeovil. Very efficient. He went on to father a whole line. Three years later off I went to University and sold them all. Never had one since. Still think about them.