Comments on: One of these is not like the others.

By: Jill

Jill — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 14:31:59 +0000

It sounds like your chickens have a great home! We have three in our small backyard; just enough for us. My son takes care of them and he really enjoys the responsibility. They are MUCH BIGGER now and they should start laying around October. I have an excellent book on rearing chickens; it has everything we need to know for keeping them healthy. Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens: Care / Feeding / Facilities

By: Sarah

Sarah — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 22:52:01 +0000

I totally agree! We have been buying “pastured” eggs from friends of ours for a couple years now and the difference is unbelievable. We recently built our own chicken coupe in our back yard and bought 6 chickens from one of the friends we were buying the eggs from. We get about 3 dozen eggs a week and our kids love feeding and taking care of the chickens. They roam freely and eat from the ground. We give them all our vegetarian table scraps and cooking scraps and any fruit that’s turning that we don’t want to eat. They love watermelon and canteloupe rinds too. Then we also give them vegetarian feed to make up the rest of their diet. It’s so nice to be able to just go outside and collect eggs whenever I need them for a recipe. Our daughter takes the egg basket outside every afternoon and collects eggs and it’s something she looks forward to everyday.

By: Jill

Jill — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 18:14:51 +0000

I used to buy the cage free eggs at the grocery store, thinking I was really getting happy chicken eggs. Turns out, they didn’t taste any better.
It wasn’t until I found a backyard gardener who shared her eggs with me, that I learned the real difference. It’s not easy finding folks with chickens. They really don’t market themselves. You have to ask around.
Today, I have 3 sources for eggs from pastured chickens. That’s the important word, “pastured”, not cage free. Cage free chickens still live confined in a crowded house and are grain fed.

Pastured chickens sun bath all day, chase bugs for breakfast, lunch & dinner, eat tender grasses, then come in at night to roost. The eggs from these chickens are VERY different and FAR EXCEEDS the common store bought eggs.

By: Mama JJ

Mama JJ — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:07:03 +0000

Hi there! Cheryl (from VA—we miss her!) pointed me towards your blog. You’ve poured lots of energy into this, and it shows—a beautiful blog.

I so much prefer our homegrown (raised?) eggs. We’re getting about a dozen a day—enough to sell an extra 2 dozen a week. I’d like to have more to sell—they are in high demand.

By: Susan

Susan — Thu, 28 May 2009 18:57:15 +0000

Shortbread Cookies—-go to Mother Earth News,
type in Scottish Shortbread Cookies go to page 6, follow link. That should get you the recipe. If that doesn’t do it I will type it out, but I just did it so I wouldn’t have to type it out.

Susan

By: Jill

Jill — Thu, 28 May 2009 17:48:30 +0000

Go for it! Link away!
I’ve learned from my veterinarian that there are organic grains that are fed on commercial chicken farms and the yolks will still be a pale yellow.

It is the nutrients and minerals from the variety of fresh grasses and insects that are directly linked to the vibrant orange yolk and higher nutrition levels for us.

From eatwild.com/health benefits page
“Eggs from pastured hens are far richer in vitamin D

Eggs from hens raised outdoors on pasture have from three to six times more chickensvitamin D than eggs from hens raised in confinement. Pastured hens are exposed to direct sunlight, which their bodies convert to vitamin D and then pass on to the eggs.

Vitamin D is best known for its role in building strong bones. New research shows that it can also enhance the immune system, improve mood, reduce blood pressure, combat cancer, and reduce the risk of some autoimmune disorders.

This latest good news about eggs comes from a study just released by Mother Earth News, a magazine that plays a leading role in promoting health-enhancing, natural foods. The editors found that eating just two eggs will give you from 63-126% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin D.

Note that this benefit comes only from hens that are free to graze fresh greens, eat bugs, and bask in the sun. Most of the eggs sold in the supermarket do not meet this criterion. Even though the label says that the eggs are “certified organic” or come from “uncaged” or “free-range” hens or from hens fed an “all-vegetarian” diet, this is no guarantee that the hens had access to the outdoors or pasture.

Look for eggs from “pastured” hens. You are most likely to find these superior eggs at farmer’s markets or natural food stores.”

By: Mamaliga

Mamaliga — Thu, 28 May 2009 17:40:07 +0000

Oh Jill!

How glad I am that someone did this experiment! I was planning on researching this myself locally and “forage” for the best local source of cage-free chicken eggs!

This will be a reference post on my quest.

Gabi @ mamaliga

By: Jill

Jill — Thu, 28 May 2009 16:13:50 +0000

Please share that shortbread cookie recipe with me?

By: Susan

Susan — Thu, 28 May 2009 15:52:48 +0000

Howdy, again. No we do not subscribe…..but we will when we get the Saltillo address. It is great! Loads of good practical info, and Sandra is a shopper so she loves all the websites the mag provides. This month there is a traditonal scottish shortbread recipe….our cookie of choice…I have been working the last month trying to discover the perfect shortbread cookie recipe. I think I have found it! Also, shortbread cookies are great with lavender flowers added, or a dash of rose water….but I guess any herbs you add would be good. I just like them plain. Susan

By: Jill

Jill — Thu, 28 May 2009 13:29:04 +0000

Bwoaawwk! Good morning Susan & Sandra!
Do you subscribe to Mother Earth News? I saw that mag months ago and was curious about it. I didn’t get the chance to fully explore it, I had my kiddos with me and well…