I have spent years building my perennial
gardens. Each year we enrich the soil with our own compost. The majority of my plants have come either from my grandmother, friends or neighbors.
But against the chickens, the plants really haven't had a chance. The chickens, in the gardens, take shelter (bad), hunt for insects (really bad), and take dust baths (plant-pocalypse).
I also suspect our free-range chickens attract various predators. Even the inclement weather seems not to deter some ambitious carnivores.
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| Behind our North Field Last Winter |
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| In Our East Field Last Fall |
So why free range chickens? First, they are healthier. Second, I think they are happier (watching them explode out of the coop every morning leaves little worry about over-anthropomorphizing). They may be smarter as well, as we have not yet lost one to a predator.
But third, due to their diet that includes insects (including all of our ticks), and perhaps their general well being, they produce the most intense egg yolks I have ever seen. Their flavor is unmatched and I am guessing they are more healthful as well. Even against those from local farms (such as seen here), our eggs are in a class all of their own. And if that means going without perfect flower beds, that seems like a pretty small price to pay.
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| The Farmer's Market egg is on the left; one of our double-yolkers is on the right. |
17 comments:
Hi Muffy,
I very much enjoy your blog. Thank you for your commitment to it and for sharing your adventures and insights.
I wanted to share with you a wonderful gardening blog that you may enjoy.
http://thegardendiary.com
Have a lovely weekend.
- Lacey
Yes! More posts like this, please!
I have a question about raising chickens. "Backyard livestock" has become very popular where I live, where most of the non-farmers still have lots of 5-10+ acres. Chickens and goats seem to be the most popular.
I've been very interested in raising chickens, as we have the room for it. But is it possible to go on vacation? We travel frequently (many long weekends and usually at least two week-long trips abroad or cross-country a year.) When we travel we have to board our cats. If you travel do you have a friend/family member/employee deal with the chickens? Being a frequent traveller and having cats is difficult enough... is having chickens like having children?! Can they be left unattended for any period of time longer than part of a day?
Oh yes that is a beauty
I do so much love chickens, and look forward to having another small flock soon. I really got a chuckle out of the paragraph describing their impact on your lovely garden -- so true, but aren't they fun to watch as they peck, scratch and roll about? I just love the photo of the dust bath!
I also agree 100% with you about the quality of the eggs -- I noticed the first time I baked a pound cake with my hens' fresh eggs how much lighter and fluffier it was, not to mention how much better the flavor was.
I also wonder if you have thoughts on what breeds are best for small flocks? Is that a Rhode Island Red and 2 Barred Rocks in the dust bath photo?
@Anonymous - Our chickens are fine alone during the day, with food and water provided. But for overnights we absolutely have to have someone lock them up at night (they put themselves to bed) and let them out in the morning. We are fortunate to have several houses on the property so there is always someone to do this, but not everyone is willing to deal with hens.
@Bitsy - Yes, that is a Rhode Island Red and a Barred Rock. The one in the foreground is a Maran, which we got by mistake as the feed store thought it was a Barred Rock chick. We chose the RI Reds and the Barred Rocks for their heartiness in cold weather and we have been very pleased with both breeds.
Mom and I have just outvoted Dad and will be seeking 10 new replacement pullets posthaste; we're down to 23 birds with too many friends and relatives on The Egg List . . . yours are BEAUTIES!
@Greenfield - Down to 23? That's hardcore! One really does have to keep replenishing one's flock to maintain any kind of egg list. We just barely meet our needs with nine.
Agree about the quality of free-range eggs. In Easton we get them down the road on the honor system, and otherwise I find them at Whole Foods (though I am suspicious of just how free their range is).
You're lucky that your town still allows backyard chickens! I heard a snippet on one of the local NPR shows indicating they're quite controversial. And if you are attracting the coyotes, maybe don't tell your neighbors--lest you take the blame when the family cat goes missing.
@WRJ - The way I see it is that the coyotes have gotten none of our chickens and plenty of our neighbors' cats, so I think it is the neighbors' cats that are attracting the coyotes! :)
Gorgeous eggs! One of my closest friends has free range chickens and the hooks are so bright as well. I'm wondering if that means the eggs have more vitamin D.
Beautiful and yummy looking eggs. Two questions from a paranoid reader. If the chickens eat ticks with lyme disease, can you catch LD by eating the chicken's eggs (and can chickens even get lyme disease?)? Also, do free range eggs have less cholesterol? I believe I read that they have more nutrients in them.
Ahhhh...when "google" is your best friend.
TRULY free range eggs
• 1/3 less cholesterol
• 1/4 less saturated fat
• 2/3 more vitamin A
• 2 times more omega-3 fatty acids
• 3 times more vitamin E
• 7 times more beta carotene.
@Farrah I didn't see anything about more vitamin D.
This post could have been titled: Free range chickens: A great way to attract wolves and foxes so you can take their picture!
My neighbours peacocks and chicken have been decimated by foxes. The Hunt is on.
Finally found a local market here in Japan selling free range eggs. Their vibrant orange yolks do have the most amazing flavor. What impresses me too is their texture, they are so much more rich. Plus makrket eggs are never as fresh. You have some happy hens!
Nothing like waking up in the morning, collecting eggs, and then eating them the same day! When we had about 20 girls we had to give away some eggs everyday...our neighbors loved the free eggs!
We have a flock of 20 or so chickens (and two roosters) at the farm where I live. I'm extremely grateful to have access to their delicious eggs. Although I must say, those are some spectacular yolks there! Ours are not quite so vivid.
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