Mapping My Missive Mind: Saturday Afternoon Get-together

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Saturday Afternoon Get-together

This is the third time I have tried blogging today and lost it. What is going on?!

I chose this picture of all the chickens chatting it up at Loma Vista Farm because it reminded of all the humans and other animals I saw out there visiting with each other and having a great time. The weather could not have been more perfect and a good time was had by all, from the youngest to the eldest. I saw several friends I hadn't seen for some time and it was great to reconnect. I also got to know the ladies that I shared the booth with a little. What a great day. It was their Spring Festival. I was helping out at Food Co-op booth. They are trying to get a food co-operative started here in Vallejo and are looking for people with experience in finance, grants, and grocery, and especially PEOPLE with a little money (not more than $300) to buy ownership so this can happen. It would be fantastic for the people of Vallejo. We talked to a lot of interested people which was exciting. Again, I am overwhelmed with the amount of different breeds of chickens that exist. Here is some info about a couple of breeds they have at the LV farm:

The Plymouth Rock, often called simply Rocks or Barred Rocks (after their most popular color), is a chicken breed that originated in the United States. The Plymouth Rock is a dual-purpose, cold-hardy bird and therefore makes a great breed for the small farm or backyard flock owner. The Barred Rock is often called the Plymouth Rock, but this title correctly belongs to the entire breed, not just the Barred variety.

Plymouth Rock

A Barred Rock hen as part of a small backyard flock (with eglu in background)

Conservation status

Recovering

Country of origin

USA

Nicknames

Rocks or Barred Rocks

Classification
APA	American

[show]Traits

Notes

Dual purpose breed

Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus)

Famous Hamburgs

Perhaps the most famous devotee of the Hamburg chicken was L. Frank Baum, author of the Oz books. He began a monthly trade journal, Hamburgs, in 1880 and in 1886, published his first and only book on the subject, The Book of the Hamburgs: A Brief Treatise upon the Mating, Rearing, and Management of the Different Varieties of Hamburgs.^[3]
In Baum's third Oz book, Ozma of Oz, he introduces Dorothy Gale's chicken, Billina. He must have drawn on his experience in breeding Hamburgs when creating her character, as she is appropriately spirited and active.

Hamburg