Cowberry Crossing Farm Eggs are perhaps our most sought after
product. We regularly sell out of these at the farmers
markets. CSA members get first priority for egg orders.
Our customers really enjoy the variation in color and size of
our eggs. Some of these eggs are very big. This is
because our layers are not culled after they have passed their
prime in egg production. The mature birds live out a full
life. Consequently, we get larger but fewer eggs from
them.
Our layers receive only organic grain and farm scraps and can
supplement their diet as they see fit while wandering the farm
freely all day. At night they go to bed in their mobile
chicken coop that Richard built out of an old hay
wagon. Having the coop on wheels enables us to move it
around the farm, spreading the fertilizer in various places.
The chickens make a very big contribution to the farm by helping to
keep the insect population in balance.
Customers often wonder why we don't have eggs all year.
Eggs are actually a seasonal food. Chickens are very
connected to light. Hence the rooster crowing at dawn!
Chickens naturally follow a cycle where they will lay more eggs as
the days get longer, the height of production being the summer
solstice, and slow down their laying as the days get shorter.
If we wanted to have year-round eggs, we would do what most egg
producers do: trick the chickens by using artificial lights to
extend the photo period. Obviously, this treatment interferes
with the natural cycles of the birds. Are there health
consequences associated with this kind of treatment? We won't
use artificial light as we believe that the healthier bird lives as
closely to its natural rhythms as possible. A healthier bird
makes a healthier, delicious egg!
