We sold out of eggs in record time at yesterday’s market. We are so grateful to our clients - who are so happy with the eggs that you come back early and devotedly. We regret having to tell anyone we’ve sold out…. and yet, it is reminding us to consider that it is okay to be “just” a tiny producer.

We think this world would be a healthier place with lots more tiny producers. A small flock of chickens remains naturally healthier with lots of room to move around, with caregivers who know and recognize each one of them individually, with access to good wild food to eat. But there are limitations that come with being a tiny producer…. namely, accepting the ebbs and flows of nature, of normal chicken behaviour, of the effects of declining light, and the realities of the first-come, first-serve, early-bird-gets-the-worm policy! :)

And reality it is. In a sustainable world, there is not an unquestionable endless supply of boxed eggs like at the box store. Sometimes they are there, sometimes they are not. It is part of the lifestyle, the nature of living close to the earth, to celebrate gifts when they are abundant, and accept the seasonality of all things, including the egg.

One of the exciting reasons we have a few fewer eggs is that some of our hens became “setty” this summer, and wanted to stop laying, and brood eggs instead. When possible, we saved eggs with the most desirable qualities from the flock for a couple days and gave them to the broody hen. Three weeks later, this is the lovely result, if all goes well:

five tiny fluffy new home-hatched additions to the flock!