Frequently Asked Questions

What do you feed your birds?

Our birds free range during the day and sleep in well-ventilated coops at night.  Free range can be a misleading marketing term, but for us, it's a large area protected by an electric netting fence for the chickens.  This is more to keep predators out than keep the chickens in (most can fly right over it).  Our ducks also enjoy a large area for grazing.  Therefore, a large portion of everyone's diet consists of plants and bugs naturally growing on the side of Signal Mountain.  We supplement with high quality feed, supplements, and garden scraps.  

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Why are the egg shells different colors?

Eggshell color is determined by the breed of the chicken.  We love a colorful array of eggs and therefore have opted for a wide range of breeds.  

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What makes a dark yellow or orange yolk?

The yolk color is determined by diet.  Dark, leafy greens and other supplements (i.e. marigold) can darken yolks.  We've found that our flocks create a range of yolk color based on the ranging characteristics of the individual birds and seasonal forage availability.  

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What is the difference between chicken and duck eggs?

Duck eggs are generally larger with a higher yolk to white ratio.  This makes them richer and excellent for baking and fresh pasta.  Despite their size, we generally recommend a one-for-one replacement in recipes.  The only exceptions would be your very finicky recipes that really require egg-weighing anyway.  Duck eggs also have a thicker shell that makes them last longer.  Click here for a good article describing the nutritional differences between the two.  It all comes down to personal preference.  Many of our customers use them interchangeably for a wide variety of applications (that includes our family).  However, some prefer one over the other, so we would encourage you to try a half dozen duck eggs if you're curious. 

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Do the eggs need to be refrigerated?

There is a lot of conflicting information out there related to this topic.  Based on our experience, refrigerating eggs (washed or unwashed) makes them last longer, so we always recommend refrigeration unless you're planning to use the eggs quickly.  We do wash our eggs because it's required by law, and it's just one less step you have to do before you use them.  If you feel very strongly about purchasing unwashed eggs, please email us, and we can work with you.

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Are your vegetables organic?

While we are not officially certified, we grow our vegetables with organic fertilizers and no pesticides.  

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Where do you get your chicks?

We get the vast majority of our chicks and ducklings from the Murray McMurray Hatchery.  If you're interested in learning about different poultry and poultry breeds, their website is a great resource.

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Can we do a farm tour?

In between farm chores and day jobs, we're working to provide a farm pick-up spot at our W road location.  While our land is very fertile and wonderful for chicken, duck, and goat grazing, it's not kind to vehicles or walkers.  Your patience is appreciated as we continue to steward our wild land into space that is a little more tour-friendly :).

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How fresh are your baked goods?

We make all our baked goods fresh to order the day of or the day before a scheduled farmers market.  Our ingredients are high quality organic and/or GMO-free.  The lady of the farm loves to bake and is always trying new recipes, so you can look forward to "free sample Thursdays" during on-farm pickup.  This is definitely a planned area of expansion for our farm, so keep an eye on the Farm Store for new regular items.

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