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Welcome to Craigard Croft

Craigard Croft is on the edge of the most westerly village in mainland Britain. Currently  sell two breeds of  poultry; Bresse Gauloise Blanche and Ixworth. Both are hardy, utility  breeds sellected for egg laying and meat production. The ideal Smallholder or domestic poultry keeper's hen.

From February until June we sell hatching eggs. The eggs are carefully packed in crush proof polystyrene boxes and have been posted successfully all over the UK and Europe for next day delivery. In late summer and Autumn a limited number of young stock and older hens are available for sale and collection.

In France Bresse Gauloise poultry are highly prized as table birds, "Poulet de Bresse" have an AOC designation and the iconic gourmet chicken. The breed is not rare in European terms but can be difficult to find in the UK. Our breeding stock was imported, as hatching eggs from Germany, France and Ireland. By rearing from hatching eggs we minimise the risk of introducing diseases. Our birds are regularly wormed and are rotationally grazed with sheep on fresh permanent pasture.

Because these birds are from Burgundy you might expect them to suffer in the climate of the Scottish Highlands but they are outside ranging about in rain, wind and snow.

The Ixworths are an old English breed from Suffolk. In the early 20th Century Reginald Appleyard, a noted breeder of ducks, decided to create an ideal table bird which would lay lots of eggs. By skillfully combining the different qualities of the Cornish Rock, Wyandotte, White Leghorn and perhaps some other breeds he produced the Ixworth.

When the broiler industry, based on fast growing hybrids, got going in the 1950s Ixworth numbers went into steep decline and the breed almost became extinct. However, if you want a large, flavoursome table bird, its ideal for Coq au Vin, that lays 180 - 200 eggs a year try the Ixworth. Breed your own and you will be helping to conserve an endangered rare breed.

Hatching egg fertility is tested monthly but 100% fertility is rare, especially after two days of  travel with the postal service. It fifty per cent or more of your eggs are "clear" when you candle them at seven days they will be replaced free of charge. Just return the clears to us in the original packaging. Eggs are sold in multiples of six and cost £2.00 each, packing and postage for "Next day delivery" costs £7.00 for six eggs and £10.00 for twelve.

To order Email www.sales@craigardcroft.com