Ducks, Ducklings, Drakes, Chickens, Chicks, Hens & Cockerels

From fluffy chicks and tiny ducklings to colourful drakes, characterful hens and magnificent cockerels, our farm birds are full of colour, movement and personality. On the Farm Park we have a range of chickens, ducks and geese that can be seen from the Rare Breed trail.

Whether they are scratching through the ground, paddling in the water or exploring their surroundings, there is always something interesting to watch.

The Discovery Barn is home to a range of our smaller animals and poultry, including chickens, ducks and ducklings. You can also see chicks being hatched and get a chance to handle them.

Our expert farm team are on hand throughout the day so you can learn more about our rare poultry conservation.

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Call Ducks

Origin & History of Norfolk Horn

The Call Duck is a bantam breed of domesticated duck. They were initially used in hunting, where their own calls and quacks would attract wild ducks towards the hunter's guns. Ducks are now kept primarily as pets or for ornamental purposes.

The first recorded mentions of the breed are from the Netherlands in the 17th Century.
They were introduced to Britain by the 1850s. By 1865, it was one of the first waterfowl breeds to be standardised, by the middle of the 20th century they were rare.
Call ducks are busy and inquisitive birds and can become quite tame with regular handling. They also have a distinct high-pitched quack, which they are named for.
Call Ducks are not just white and can come in over a dozen different colours.

Sebastopol Geese

Origin & History of Sebastopol Geese

The Sebastopol Goose originated in southern eastern Europe, around the Black Sea region. They were named are Sebastopol, a Russian city from which they were imported to the USA. In Germany, the geese have been known as ‘Strupp Guns’ which means ‘unkempt goose’ due to the frizzled appearance of their feathers.

Both males and females have pure white feathers that contrast with their bright blue eyes and orange bills and feet.
The are medium sized geese, with ganders weighing 14 lbs. and geese12 lbs when they mature.
Sebastopol geese are moderate layers producing 25-35 large, white eggs annually. They are broody and good mothers and can be used as adoptive parents for goslings of their own or other breeds.
They are an attractive, friendly breed with a quiet and pleasant disposition. They are excellent foragers, fatten easily, and they make gentle pets as they are often quite shy, rather than aggressive like some other goose breeds.

Appenzeller Spitzhauben Chicken

Origin & History of Appenzeller Spitzhauben Chicken

The Appenzeller Spitzhauben is a Swiss breed of crested chicken originating in the historical Appenzell region of Switzerland. By the 1950’s the breed was facing extinction. The breed arrived to England in the early 1970’s. Breeders kept the few remaining flocks alive until 1983, when a recovery project was launched to form a managed breeding effort. This kicked off the revival of the population.

The German word Spitzhauben means pointed hoods and refers to the traditional ceremonial headdress of Appenzell women.
The Appenzeller Spitzhauben is a light chicken: hens weigh little more than a kilogram, and cock birds barely over 1.5 kg
Hens may lay some 150 white-shelled eggs in their first year, with an average weight of 55 grams.

Brahma Chicknes
Call Ducks
Baby Chicks
Pekin Bantam Chickens
Silver Campine
Ducklings

FAQs

What Is the Difference Between a Chick, Hen, Cockerel and Rooster? A chick is a young chicken. An adult female chicken is called a hen. A male chicken may be called a cockerel or rooster, although cockerel is the more familiar British term.

Male and female chickens of the same breed can look quite different. Cockerels and roosters are often larger, with more prominent combs, wattles and tail feathers. Hens may have less dramatic colouring, although this varies between breeds.

The word chicken can describe the bird generally, regardless of its age or sex.
From Down to Feathers ? Young chicks and ducklings begin life covered in soft down, which helps keep them warm.
As they grow, adult feathers gradually replace this down. These feathers protect the bird’s body, help regulate its temperature and, in ducks, provide a waterproof outer layer.

Looking closely at chicks, ducklings and adult birds allows visitors to compare the different stages of this transformation.
Farmyards sounds and behaviours. Farm birds communicate through a surprising range of sounds.Chicks peep to attract attention, hens cluck to communicate with the flock, cockerels and roosters crow, and ducks produce calls ranging from quiet murmurs to unmistakable quacks.
Their movements are equally varied. Chickens scratch and peck, ducks and drakes paddle and dabble, and young birds follow adults as they learn how to find food and respond to the world around them. Yes the sheel and goats love nothing more than a tasty snack, you can buy our special animal feed on the Farm Park when you arrive.
What is a drake? A duckling is a young duck. An adult male duck is called a drake, while an adult female is usually called a duck or hen duck.
The word duck is also commonly used as a general term for these birds, regardless of whether they are male or female.

As ducklings grow, their soft down is replaced by adult feathers and the differences between males and females may become increasingly visible.

Stay with us

With an array of accommodation options, from luxurious lodges to glamping safari tents, camping pods, and traditional touring and camping, guests are invited to escape, unwind, and make lasting memories in the heart of the Cotswolds.

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Seasonal Events

On the Farm Park we run seasonal events including Pumpkin picking, Festive events where you can meet Santa and animal themed weekends, regular events like guided dog walking and fun horse-riding events.

Seasonal Events