Farmers hit high gear and organic milk flows once again at Belanger Organic Farms
We recently welcomed a flock of not-so-spring chickens back to our side of the farms. This flock of 8 hens and 1 rooster is almost 4 yrs old and used to reside across the road from us. They are now staying with us until their owners find a new home and make it through their move. These lucky ladies are well cared for by Freddy Kruger, the gentlest rooster I have ever come across, who is a keen observer of danger even though he only sees out of one eye.
We spent a very pleasant afternoon with our cousins yesterday just watching them. It’s rare that we sit still, but it was so blissful just watching this flock scratch and peck outside, we were mesmerized by their calming presence. I really hope municipalities and large cities like Toronto wise up and allow backyard chickens soon…really soon.
There are so many benefits beyond those delicious eggs with large, dark and nutritious yolks packed with a spectrum of good fats and supple whites that never seem to get that rubbery texture when cooked. According to “the inter-web” chickens are considered the most widely abused animal due to inhumane farming practices, hugely disappointing given how easy they are to keep. We only have nine for a limited time, but already I feel that they should be accessible to all to who choose to own them…assuming potential owners have adequate space and time to care for them that is. You really just need to be home to tend to them for about 15-30 min/day in the morning and night. The superb eggs, the simple pleasures and enriching manure they provide makes up for any small annoyances such as keeping them safe from the many predators that prowl our land. For us, it has been the best new hobby of 2015…try it if you can! I really hope we keep them safe and sound, so far so good but it’s only day 4. More soon.
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