We’re a tiny family-run operation committed to food and ferments & daily practices that keep our hands busy and our faces to the changing seasons
Brooke established ‘the redstead’ in 2012 in an old 1842 estate house nested between woods and a state route with a wild river corridor outback, where she could let three kids and their friends roam amidst creeks and native grapevine with all the chickens, dogs, and rabbits they could manage. Over almost 15 years of chicken keeping, the kids have grown up and colorful eggs have become a beloved part of our foodways, leading to more serious breeding aspirations and a few fine lines of rare breeds and heritage crosses. We joined the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) in 2021 to share our rare breeds and heritage crosses with you. In 2026, we’re building out a new-to-us patch of farm land just down the way with the help of the Farm Service Agency, and even remodeling the schoolhouse next door!
Please read our policies page for details on how we run our annual waitlist, as well as each breed listing— there’s lots of detail on our breed stock and breeding program.
We’re particularly committed to our Black Copper Marans, we call them ‘purple coppers’. We breed for SOP and pigmentation in our pure lines, egg color in our experimental crosses, and cull for temperament (even when it’s hard!). We’re mad for pigment and heavy blooms.
Email brooke@crosshatchfarm or follow us on the socials @crosshatchfarm