Cape Cod is rich with history. Our country was founded here in Massachusetts. In fact, did you know that prior to landing at Plymouth Rock, the settlers on the Mayflower first landed on Cape Cod? They were chased away by local Indians who inhabited that area. Now First Encounter Beach can be visited in its natural beauty. Today, we visited another piece of working history, Taylor Bray Farm in Yarmouthport, Massachusetts.
In 1639, the farm was founded by Richard “of the rock” Taylor while the land was still part of Plymouth colony. It remained in the Taylor family for many years until 1896, when the Bray brothers, who both worked on the farm for the Taylors, purchased the property. In 1987 the farm was purchased by the town. It is now run by the collaborative efforts of several preservation groups. Today, the smaller 22 acre property is a working farm. It has donkeys, goats, cattle, sheep and chickens.
As we arrived, we were lucky to discover that the morning chores were still being performed. The staff was cleaning the chicken coop and we were able to find out more about the flock and its history. The coop was updated in 2006. It is a very simple design.
The girls typically lay 2 to 8 eggs per day. With about 20 hens, many of them are at least over 5 years of age. Last Spring they had an issue with mites, thus many of the girls are missing feathers. These should grow back after they molt this Fall.
As we continued talking about the Bray Farm flock, the gentleman asked me if I had nice chickens. I replied yes. “You must consider them pets then”, he replied. “These chickens here are not pets.” If you ask me, I would beg to differ regarding his opinion about this flock. I believe that even though they are part of a working farm, they are receiving a wonderful gift from the farm. They are not depended upon for meat or eggs. They are allowed to live without providing anything in return. This made me happy.
It was nice to meet the flock on this overcast misty day. The best thing about chickens is that the weather doesn’t dampen their spirits. I also learned again about perseverance. The little blind girl certainly didn’t let her blindness stop her from living a wonderful life on the farm.
To see all of the Tour de Coops featured on Tilly’s Nest click here.
This post is linked up to Homestead Revival’s Homestead Barn Hop.
Photo Credit: Tilly’s Nest
10 thoughts on “Tour de Coop: Taylor Bray Farm, Yarmouthport”
Oh. I've been there. Do they also have a large hairy Scottish highland cattle or something like that? They have a field day that a friend took me to. There were demonstrations and a blacksmith. The thing that struck me about the coop was the two doors and the high nest boxes.
Exactly rugosarosefarm! The cattle are still there. In the Fall they usually have a wonderful farm day with sheep herding and other demonstrations. It is a really neat place.
Simply lovely. I love these Coop Tour stories. Good thing we're not going on vacation in Cape Cod this year or I'd be dragging my hubby around to look at other people's chickens.
Well Flock Mistress, if you ever do get out this way, please do let me know! Thank you for the lovely compliments
Very nice post, Tilly's Nest. I also love these coop tour visits!!
Thank you Mary Ann!
This is my idea of an awesome day. Sounds like you had so much fun.
Thanks From Beyond My Kitchen Window. We sure did. I feel so fortunate to be able to not only enjoy these things myself but share them with my children.
Wonderful tour. Terrific coop design! And I love that little blind lady.
I love that they don't cull or rehome older hens/chickens! We have no plan to do that either; our girls will stay with us whether they are laying or not.