Richwoods, Missouri
Our Farm Story
A small Missouri farmstead with a deep love for heritage poultry and the people who keep these breeds alive.
How It Started
Whispering Willows Farm sits on a quiet piece of ground in Richwoods, Missouri — the kind of place where mornings start with birdsong and the day's pace is set by the animals. We came to heritage poultry the way most people do: one bird at a time, one breed at a time, until the flock became a calling.
What began as a backyard flock grew into a focused breeding program built around two of the most iconic American heritage breeds — Large Fowl Brahmas and Large Fowl Cochins — alongside an experimental project that has become a passion of its own. Every bird on this farm has a purpose, and every breeding decision is made with the Standard of Perfection in hand.
"We would rather sell you one exceptional bird than a dozen mediocre ones."
Breeding Philosophy
Type First. Always.
We are not a production operation. We are not a hatchery. We are a small breeding program with a singular focus: producing birds that genuinely represent their breed as described in the APA Standard of Perfection.
That means we cull hard, we keep small breeding groups, and we are honest about what we have. We would rather sell you one exceptional bird than a dozen mediocre ones. If a bird doesn't meet our standards, it doesn't leave the farm as breeding stock — full stop.
Standard-bred, not production-bred
Every selection decision starts with the APA Standard. Type, structure, and breed character come before egg numbers or growth rate.
Small pens, close attention
We keep breeding groups small so we can observe every bird closely. We know our breeders individually — their strengths, their faults, their offspring.
Honest representation
We describe our birds accurately. If something is a work in progress, we say so. We'd rather lose a sale than mislead a fellow breeder.
Preserving living history
Heritage breeds are a living link to agricultural history. We take that stewardship seriously and breed with the next generation of breeders in mind.
How We Raise Them
Husbandry We're Proud Of
Pasture access
Breeding pens rotate onto fresh pasture throughout the growing season.
Quality feed
High-protein layer ration supplemented with whole grains, greens, and grit.
No shortcuts on biosecurity
Closed flock. New birds are quarantined before any contact with existing stock.
Careful record-keeping
Breeding records, hatch dates, and pedigrees tracked for every breeding group.
Hatching eggs handled with care
Eggs collected multiple times daily, stored correctly, and shipped with care to maximize hatch rates.
The People Behind the Farm
Angela & Nick
Come Find Your Next Bird
Whether you're new to heritage breeds or a seasoned exhibitor, we'd love to talk birds with you.