Poultry

Hamburgs
The Hamburg has been kept in the north of England under differing names for centuries. Small, pheasant-like, they have the record of being the best laying breed in existence. They have been known to produce 240 eggs a year. Small eaters, the Hamburgs are known for their great beauty. The cock has extraordinary plumage, sweeping tail and well shaped rose comb. The hen is rich in colour, sprightly in carriage, and neat. there are five varieties, the Black, the Gold Penciled, the Silver Penciled, the Gold Spangled and the Silver Spangled. At Ross Farm Museum our Hamburgs are silver spangled.

Silver Gray Dorkings
A very old breed of fowl described in writings reaching back to AD 47 which said, "the breeding hens be of robust body, square-framed and broad-breasted, large-headed with small erect bright red comb." The writer also specified the five toes as its essential characteristic. Colour combinations are silvery white and black for males, white and ashy gray for females. Both sexes have a 5th toe, and a long body on short legs.

Ducks
There is an increasing interest in waterfowl and most of this interest has centered on keeping wild ducks and geese in captivity because some of them are endangered in the wild. All important breeds of domestic duck are said to be descended from the Mallard. The Muscovy duck originated in South America and is a distinct race. When it is crossed with other ducks, their offspring are sterile, Ducklings can go to the pond two weeks after hatching. 

Geese
The common domestic goose is generally thought to be directly descended from the wild Grey-Lag goose of Europe. Geese have largely avoided the attention of the factory farmer. The few attempts at large scale intensive production have been unsuccessful. The goose is an excellent grazer of rough areas that would otherwise be wasted. The large Embeden geese were first introduced to Britain in the early 1800's. Described in 1815 as a breed new to Britain, they quickly became the main breed, probably absorbing the existing white geese. Embeden often weigh forty-five ponds per pair, are quiet and not as likely to stray as others. After hatching goslings should remain with the mother goose. Fresh water, sand and grass are necessities for them. Both geese and ducks need a pond or stream nearby. If kept with other poultry, geese can become very pugnacious, harassing the hens and turkeys.