We are more than a month away from spring, but the Ladies of Coop Mahal are laying around seven to nine eggs a day. And while I haven’t figured out my roadside egg stand setup, these eggs have to start moving out the door.
Because no one can consume over five dozen eggs a week alone.
I started getting the word out to a few friends, and I am happy to report that I made my first egg sale! I know, I know….what’s the big deal? I can’t tell you, but right now I feel like a girl scout who just sold out of her inventory of thin mints.
We have had an interesting ride so far building a crazy large chicken coop, rehoming seven roosters, getting chickens to lay in the nesting box (currently still a struggle), finding ways for them to have constant access to fresh grass in addition to the Scratch and Peck organic certified non-GMO feed we provide them. The eggs are the prize and I love sharing them.
The plan moving forward is to procure a small regular client base which I deliver eggs to once a week and then try to sell eggs from our roadside setup. Whatever I can’t sell (or bake into quiches, souffles or custards) I plan to donate to Good Cheer Food Bank.
Once I get the hang of the amount of eggs we’ll have in prime season, perhaps I’ll consider adding to the flock in the fall.
Because chicken math is real.
life in the sound 
Jenn, I am enjoying reading of your farm. I have a special problem- which is why I am researching the subject of Chickens. My neigbor has one chicken and he has been waiting for it to die- and stopped feeding it. The neighbors have taken up the job of feeding the chicken. She is healthy and robust, and surviving this snow. But she is alone! and has been for almost a year.
I am seeking what to do- is there a chicken sanctuary on the island- where she could live? She looks good and healthy and not likey to pass on for a good amount of time. I know chickens are fussy- and can be hard on fellow chickens. I just want to do what is right for this little critter and don’t know where to go.
I hope you have some thoughts for us- the neighbors. Should we grow some chicks and introduce them to the older chicken? Should we find her a new home- would the new family of chicks accept her?
Thanks in advance for responding. Judy
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Hey Judy-
How old is she? I’m so sad the previous owner just stopped feeding her?!?!
I don’t believe there is a chicken sanctuary on the island, but if you or someone you know are on Facebook there is a group called Whidbey Island Backyard Farmers where you could post to find her a home.
Chickens are very social so she’s probably loving the attention from you and the neighbors. I doubt getting chicks would be a good idea. You’d have to raise the chicks in a brooder separately unless she accepted them and decided to keep them warm. You would also need to have an appropriate set up for her and the chicks in that scenario. Plus…when they grow, do you want to take care of them? If some turn up being roosters, how will you manage that?
She would probably do fine in another flock, but it is important to do a proper transition. The existing flock has a pecking order and she will be at the bottom. She may be fine with that but she’ll get some challenges. If she’s older you may want to find her a flock that doesn’t have a rooster.
Hope this helps! I wish we could take her but we just opened Farmer & The Vine in Langley so we aren’t in the position for a proper transition and we currently have 39 chickens…so pretty much at capacity.
Would love to hear what you all decide to do. Good luck!
Jen
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