We bought our little farm in February, but the house needed sooo much work that we couldn’t move in until June. We still have a long way to go until it’s “done” but we’ll get there someday (right?!?)
During those first months of driving back and forth from our rental in town, we had some lovely animals to keep us company. We bought our starter flock from the Salatin family at Polyface Farm in Swoope, VA. We got 40 laying hens and Romeo the rooster to increase the flock when we’re ready. They were already pullets and Daniel said they’d be laying in a few weeks; they started laying the next day:-)
Anyone who has ever been unexpectedly inundated with 3 dozen or so eggs every day can tell you it’s a blessing and a curse. You suddenly begin jumping for joy when you find recipes with ingredient lists that include at least 4 eggs. And even more fun, you meet all your neighbors, their children, the mail delivery person, and anyone else who may happen to cross your path, and force them to take gift them with eggs.
As the eggs accumulated, and word of their yumminess & healthfulness spread, we were fortunate to get the attention of a local farm-to-table restaurant. We now proudly supply them with all of their eggs, and are able to keep a few friends and our own family happily egged.
We do our very best to keep GMO food out of our family and that includes our animals. That’s why we did seek out hens that we knew were never fed that poison. We felt so blessed to be able to purchase them from a family that is so committed to real, clean food. Someday I’ll get on my soapbox here regarding GMOs. In the meantime if you’re interested here are some helpful, interesting links to check out:
New York Times Piece; Why Aren’t G.M.O. Foods labeled? ~Mark Bittman
Rebel with a Cause: Why I Oppose Government GMO Labeling ~Joel Salatin
Oh we do love the girls, and it helps with the out of balance male/female ratio around here!
Peace,
~Michelle
Popcorn and Lemonade 