Four reasons why I love having laying hens and producing eggs!
I have a confession, when I was kid, I didn’t really like chickens and was kind of scared of them! They have ‘sharp’ beaks, sometimes fly around in an unpredictable manner, and have those round unblinking eyes! But as I have gotten older, I have come to really appreciate them and enjoy having them on our farm and in our lives. Also, when you raise them from baby chicks they become ‘yours’. Kind of like Chris Pratt and his velociraptors in the Jurassic World Movies! But, I still wear gloves or pull down my sweatshirt sleeves when collecting eggs from under a hen. 😉
Anyway, here are 4 reasons why I keep laying hens:
1. The delicious, nutritious, and healing eggs. Once you have had homegrown fresh eggs it is simply hard to go back to regular grocery store eggs. They have more golden yolks and just taste better to me. Also, eggs are one of the quickest, easiest, and versatile protein sources to prepare. Some of you know I have had issues with gluten intolerance/Celiac disease since my early thirties. Eggs have always been a “safe” food for me as a single ingredient meal or snack (no label to read or additives!). When I have been “glutened” and am recovering from an incident of sickness, homegrown scrambled eggs and peppermint tea are my go-to things to help me recover and feel better. Since we first had our acreage in South Dakota, I have had anywhere from 1 to 10 chickens, but usually around 3-5 chickens. They were just for us, for a steady supply of their fresh eggs. We even brought one special Barred-Rock pet chicken, named ‘Chicken Little’, with us when we moved to Ohio a few years ago! (She is gone now just due to old age). I started to raise more laying hens just last year, because it felt like the right time to produce more eggs to provide such a high-quality, fortifying food for you: our local friends, family, and neighbors.
2. For me, raising chickens is a part of my heritage or in my blood. Doing chicken chores every morning, often reminds me of childhood memories of my aunt and grandpa, and all the chickens they raised. When I get a particularly big or beautiful batch of eggs, I feel them looking over my shoulder in approval and a moment of strong reassuring connection.
3. It is a bit of healthy, daily, instant gratification and joy. Running any type of farm is hard. Sheep take a long-time produce and build your flock with lot of planning and background work. Also, they come in spurts when they are ready. Other things like veggies take time and are seasonal. But after you get through the first 4 months of raising them, there is a daily reward of at least some eggs from our chickens. I bring feed and water and find some beautiful eggs in nesting boxes to take to the kitchen in return. It feels like a very symbiotic relationship and adds a little joy to everyday.
4. I appreciate knowing exactly how my eggs are produced. I know our chickens have good lives with lots of fresh air, sunshine, protection from predators, conversation (yes, I do talk to them), and good food. It all adds up to make their eggs taste that much better to me and hopefully lets you enjoy them more too! Our eggs are food produced with love, joy, and care.
Overall, laying hens have become an important part of our small farm. A daily set of chores that I really enjoy doing. Another added benefit is that I really appreciate having the eggs because it allows a chance to see and interact with you, our farm friends, regularly! Win-win!
