Do you wash your eggs?

In short, no.
If you’ve ever bought eggs from the grocery store, you’re probably used to them being clean, shiny, and refrigerated. But when you get eggs from a small farm like ours, you might notice they look a little different—more matte, with the occasional smudge or speck of dirt.

That’s because we don’t wash them, and we do it on purpose. Our eggs are laid with a natural protective coating called the bloom, which helps seal out bacteria and keep the egg fresh at room temperature. Washing removes that bloom—and once it’s gone, eggs have to be refrigerated for safety.

We gently dry-brush any visible debris but leave the bloom intact. This is how most of the world handles eggs, and how our hens prefer it too.

→ Read more about egg washing and refrigeration

Are your hens free range?

Yes!
Our laying hens live the dream. They have access to organic feed, fresh clean water, and safe shelter at night—but during the day, they roam wherever their chicken hearts desire. Some cohabitate with goats, others dig through compost, and many vanish into the woods until they magically reappear at dusk.

They lay most of their eggs in the morning, then spend the rest of the day scratching, sunbathing, and yelling at squirrels. We don’t clip wings or lock them in pens—they choose where to roam and who to hang out with.

We use the “free-range” label because it’s the most recognized term, but in practice, our hens are way beyond the USDA minimum standard.

→ Read more about how we raise our egg layers

Are your broilers free range?

Yes—and more.
The USDA defines “free-range” as birds having access to the outdoors for at least 8 hours a day. Our broilers live on pasture 24/7, rotated to fresh grass twice a day. That means they’re always on clean forage, hunting bugs, nibbling clover, and fertilizing the soil as they go.

They are housed in open-bottomed mobile pens that provide shade and predator protection. These pens are essential to keep them safe from hawks, raccoons, and foxes—while still giving them access to grass, sunshine, and fresh air.

They also get a ration of non-GMO grain, clean water, and plenty of TLC.

→ Read more about our pasture-raised broilers

Why are your eggs brown? And blue? And green? And white?

Because our hens are as diverse as your favorite brunch crew. We raise a mix of heritage and specialty breeds that lay different colored eggs. Eggshell color is determined entirely by genetics—not diet or environment. Here’s what you might find in a typical dozen from our farm:

• Brown eggs from Barred Rocks, Orpingtons, and Rhode Island Reds

• Blue eggs from Ameraucanas or Easter Eggers

• Green eggs from Olive Eggers (a blue-laying bird crossed with a brown-layer)

• White eggs from Leghorns or other Mediterranean breeds

The yolks are what matter most, and those deep golden yolks? That comes from free-ranging for bugs, greens, and grit—plus supplemental organic feed. No matter the shell color, all our eggs are rich in flavor and nutrition.

Can I visit the farm?

Yes, and we’d love to have you! We’re a real working family farm (with real mud, goats that may nibble your pants, and kids who might offer to show you every chicken we’ve ever had), so visits are by appointment or during scheduled pickup windows.

If you’ve got questions about how we raise our animals or want to see where your food comes from, come on by. We’re happy to show you around, especially if you’re the type who loves talking compost, chicken breeds, or the personality differences between goats.

→ Contact us to arrange a visit

What’s the difference between buying eggs by the dozen and an egg share?

Great question! Here's the breakdown:

• Buying by the dozen: When we have extra eggs beyond what our egg share subscribers receive, we list them in the online store for one-time purchase. First come, first served, and availability varies week to week depending on the hens’ mood and the weather.

• Egg Share (Subscription): A prepaid, guaranteed supply of eggs. You choose the frequency (weekly, biweekly, etc.), and we’ll set aside your eggs ahead of time. You don’t need to stalk the store or worry about sell-outs — your eggs are packed, labeled, and ready like clockwork.

Many customers start with by-the-dozen, then switch to a share once they fall in love with the yolks.

→ Read more about egg shares and sign up

Do I need to refrigerate your eggs?

No — unless you want to.

We leave the protective bloom on our eggs (by not washing them), which keeps them fresh at room temperature for weeks. That’s how most of the world stores eggs. That said, if you do refrigerate them, they’ll last even longer.

We do refrigerate eggs ourselves if the weather is extreme — hot or freezing — especially for deliveries. If you prefer your eggs not refrigerated at all, we recommend signing up for an egg share, and letting us know. We’ll label your cartons and handle them separately.

TL;DR: Room temp is fine. Cold is fine. Just don’t do both — once eggs are refrigerated, keep them cold.

→ More on storage + food safety

What do your chickens eat?

Whatever they want — plus organic feed.

Our laying hens and broilers forage on pasture, eating grass, bugs, fallen fruit, goat hair, leaf litter, and the occasional mouse (yes, really). We supplement their free-range buffet with a high-quality non-GMO, organic grain blend to make sure they’re getting balanced nutrition.

They also get love, head scratches (when allowed), and access to compost piles, where they do important work as natural turners and microbe managers.

Fun fact: what chickens eat does affect yolk color and egg flavor. That’s why our yolks are such a deep golden color — they’re loaded with real, natural nutrition.

Are your eggs fertilized?

Sometimes!

We usually keep a few roosters with our laying hens — mostly to help keep the flock safe (they will take on hawks, and they’re good about sharing food). When roosters are present, some of the eggs may be fertilized.

But fertilized eggs won’t develop unless they’re incubated at the right temperature and humidity for several days — which doesn't happen during normal storage or transport.

So don’t worry — fertilized eggs are perfectly safe to eat, and you likely wouldn’t notice a difference.