Panic Grows in China as Bird Flu’s Death Toll Now at 6

With confirmation that a sixth person has died from the mysterious avian-borne virus H7N9, Chinese officials escalated their response on Friday, advising people to avoid live poultry, dispatching virologists to chicken farms across the country and slaughtering more than 20,000 birds at a wholesale market in Shanghai.

Bird Flu Kills 6  in China

Barred Plymouth Rock Chicken

Here's a Great Bird for the Small Farmer or Backyard Chicken Owner  - Barred Plymouth Rock Chicken

The Barred Plymouth Rock, also known as the Barred Rock, is the most popular variety of the Plymouth Rock breed, and it is also one of the most popular brown egg layers for small farm and back yard chicken farming. 

They will lay between 200-300 eggs in a year, and when they no longer have any laying utility they are large enough to produce a good amount of chicken meat. They are very hardy, so good for cold weather climates

They can be tamed easily and thus are great for children

Facts (from EFowl.com)

• Adult Weight - Male: 8-9 pounds ; Female: 6 pounds
• Color - Black and White Barred, Yellow Skin, Smaller Comb
• Purpose - Dual Purpose - Egg Laying and Meat Production
• Egg Production - Excellent
• Egg Color - Brown
• Country of Origin -United States