In this list of Hens and Roosters we have may diffrent age groups, We have some that are already laying ranging in age from 9 months old, 7 months, and then we have 3 month old hens. The age range of a hen to become laying is between 17 and 20 weeks old. We have 69 rare chickens and roosters on order for the spring 100 Isa Brown hens & 6 more ducks The first order arriving in February 2014.

Our Flock is what's called "Free Range".

 

"Free range" refers to chickens being allowed to range freely outdoors where they can eat whatever grass, weed seeds, insects and worms they choose. This results in more nutritious eggs and meat for consumers, and more healthy, humane conditions for the birds. Some producers abuse this term and label their eggs as “free range” when in fact all they have done is open a door to allow their chickens to range in an outdoor area of bare dirt or concrete, with no pasture in sight.

 

Free-range eggs have: 1/3 less cholesterol 1/4 less saturated fat 2/3 more vitamin A, Two times more omega-3 fatty acids, Three times more vitamin E, Seven times more beta carotene.

 

 

It is important not to get sucked into paying for something at the store that you think is free range, but is not. Some of the labels you see are “Organic”, “Cage free”, “Free range”, “Pastured”, or some combination of these.

 

 

“Organic” is a good thing- it means the chicken has not been fed hormones or antibiotics, and the feed it eats was organically raised. However, it does not address the living conditions of the chicken. It still could be a tightly-caged bird. (We cannot advertise our eggs as organic. Our chickens are not given antibiotics or hormones, but we don’t use organic grain in the winter. It’s a matter of expense.)

 

 

“Cage free” and “Free range” are used interchangeably at times. It means the chicken is not confined to a cage. Unfortunately it doesn’t mean that you won’t see the hen living on a dirt or concrete floor with 1000 of her closest friends.

 

“Cage free” tends to be inside non-cage confinement and “free range” outdoors, but again they can be penned in overcrowded conditions and still have this name.

 

 

“Pastured” means the chicken is fed on, or at least supplemented with, a pasture. Eating grass and bugs is what gives egg yolks that lovely orange color. Pastured chickens may still be penned, but they are definitely outside on grass.

 

The ideal is to get your eggs from a farm you can visit, so you know the conditions the chickens are living in. Here at Hinman Family Farms we invite you to cme see our Farm and where our Hens are raised so you can see of yourselves just what you are buying. :<> We feed our flock Layena Sunfresh poultry food during fall and winter to supplement and meet their nourishment needs to read more about Layena please click on the button below.