Egg Production
To maintain strong flock health and consistent, quality egg production, we regularly rotate in younger birds each year. This helps ensure the flock remains productive while supporting the long-term sustainability of our egg operation.
In recent years, we transitioned to a permanent chicken housing system inspired by the style of pasture-based production popularized by Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin. Rather than moving the coop itself, we rotate the hens through fresh sections of pasture surrounding the structure on a regular basis. This system helps reduce stress on the birds by providing a more stable environment while still giving them continual access to fresh forage and clean ground. The combination of reduced stress, improved comfort, and constant access to new pasture has also helped increase overall egg production and flock performance.
As the hens move through fresh pasture, they naturally fertilize the land with nutrient-rich manure, improving soil health for the rest of our livestock. Alongside the forage they gather themselves, the flock is fed locally grown, freshly ground non-GMO grain from Bethel Feed & Supply.