Our Chickens
Chickens are the cornerstone of our little farm. They were one of the first animals we got when we moved to our property because nothing beats fresh eggs!
The Chickens
We currently have 70 chickens. Different breeds lay different color eggs. We select breeds based on this and their temperaments. We enjoy the friendlier, less-nervous varieties that do well in our coastal climate.
Some of the breeds we have now are: Ameraucanas, Buff Orpingtons, Wyandottes, Jersey Giants, Austra Whites, Rhode Island Reds, Barnvelders, Novogen Whites, Cream Legbars, Speckled Sussex, French Copper Marans, and Welsummers.
Naturally over their lifespan, hens have peak production of eggs from about 1-3 years old. We do occasionally rotate chickens out of our flock to new homes to make room for new birds that will keep our egg numbers up, but some have a permanent place on our farm.
One of our permanent ladies is our oldest hen, Edna, matriarch of the flock, a black hen we hatched here in 2017. Her mom was one our original barred Plymouth rock hens and her dad was a black Australorp.
Their Home
Our flock lives in a coop we designed and built, with perches, nest boxes, and lots of fluffy shavings for bedding.
They have a covered back porch area where they’ve created their “chicken spa” of dust baths. The cover allows them to get outside, even if it’s raining (and we get A LOT of rain!). We also usually provide a flock block- a compacted brick of grains and seeds that they can pick at whenever they like.
The chickens also have an always-accessible section of fenced outdoor space where they can run, flap, climb, dig, and perch. This space has a thick layer bark chips to prevent it from becoming muddy, which they love to dig through. We are happy to provide them an interesting home that keeps them active and engaged.
The Chickens’ Diet
In addition to their coop space, we let our birds out daily in different fields and pastures. It is wonderfully entertaining to see them out foraging, scratching and looking for insects, and finding sunny spots to rest. Access to the outdoors is one reason our eggs have such beautiful yolk colors as the pasture plants grow and bloom. Another benefit of this practice is improved health of our pastures for our grazing animals.
They are fed chicken layer feed to ensure they receive the proper energy, vitamins, and minerals. We also provide free-choice grit, small rocks that help them break down food, and oyster shell to keep their eggshells and bones strong.
We also dose their water weekly with an organic electrolyte and probiotic supplement.
Our chickens receive lots of treats, including vegetable and fruit scraps from the gardens and kitchen throughout the year. They really love apples, squash, and broccoli leaves.
Another treat we provide is USA-grown black soldier fly larva. Chickens are not vegetarian by choice. Insects are important! We sprinkle them in the grass and their run with their regular scratch grains. This promotes foraging and add to a rich varied diet.
Common Questions
Do you have to have a rooster to have eggs?
No! We typically don’t keep a rooster. Our roo, Handsome, was a surprise boy in our last order of chicks. He’s been very sweet with us and the ladies, so for now, he gets to stay.
Domestic chickens are bred for egg production. They will lay eggs even without a male around. Handsome does a great job keeping an eye out for predators though, like hawks, eagles, coyotes, and dogs. We feel safer letting then hens free-range with him on guard!
Why do the dark brown eggs have scrapes on them?
The brown pigment is one of the very last things added to the egg as it makes its way down the hen’s reproductive tract. When she lays the egg, sometimes straw or shavings from the nestbox will stick to it. This can actually wipe away some of the pigment.
Do different color eggs have different nutritional values?
No! Eggs, regardless of color, have the same nutrition if the hens eat the same things. Our chickens get to free-range, so there is a slightly higher nutritional content and lower cholesterol than those from hens fed a diet of only commercial feed.
