You are so lucky to have a slow food chapter there (but wait, your zip code tells me that you are not too far away maybe!). We don't pay too much attention to 'egg rates' or 'meat rates'. at least, not yet. I will say that the Indian Runner breed is primarily and egg laying breed, and can lay eggs not only more often than most chickens, the eggs themselves are better for cooking. In the past, we've counted nearly 250 eggs per duck. Our chicken breeds this time are less practical and more interesting, as, I wanted eggs which are more attractive or flavorful and different that what I could find at the farmers market or at our local Wegmans or Whole Foods.We are raising a dozen Maran's and a dozen Araucana as well as a nostalgic dozen of Barred Rock, as that is what we had back in the early 60's when I was about 2 (I could tell from an old photo). With chickens, it's mainly eggs for us. We still eat the older hens and roosters, but after they are old, so yes – – chicken soup chickens.

Thanks Toni! But remember, you'll see it once again when you visit in November!