Converting Cage-Free Hens into Free-Range Chickens

 

Just this past week, we had to figure out how to get more eggs, either from our existing chickens, or by getting additional adult chickens, because demand has continued to grow. I suppose being somewhat short on supply is better than an oversupply of eggs, since there at least aren't any eggs being wasted or getting old! 

I chose to work on both options. The chickens now get a supplement in their water that contains enzymes, acids, and carbon in order to boost chicken's immune systems and productivity. The product is called  "Hen-Helper" from Southland Organics, in case anyone with chickens out there is looking for a supplement for their birds. So far, I've at least been able to see some positive results, even though I've only used one treatment. 

The second option was to get more adult hens. Luckily, our local hatchery sells off their breeding flocks (they produce the eggs that become the chicks) in June, and you can get laying hens for relatively cheap, and that still lay lots of eggs! Long story short, we purchased 70 hens (40 White Leghorn, and 30 Gold Sex-Link). The challenge with buying "used hens" from the hatchery is that they weren't kept in a free-range setting like our farm, so some training is needed to teach them how to become free-range chickens. The only other thing that they require is a little bit of TLC to get them up to speed due to stress from (a) a different environment and (b) the stress from being moved from farm to farm. Their exterior condition makes them out to be a little ugly, but that's nothing that a high-protein diet can't fix! 

The good news is that an additional (approximately) 32-33 dozen eggs will be available on top of the average 36-40 dozen per week, so there's going to be plenty to go around to retail, individual customers, farmers markets, and wherever else they're needed! 

Happy Hen Farms will also be joining a new online farmers market starting in July, called Bazaar Idaho. They offer pickup and delivery options for a wide variety of products, from veggies, beef, HHF eggs, crafts, jewelry, and much more! It will be a year-round market, so unlike traditional farmers markets, you don't have to stop eating local once the market closes!