We never started out thinking we would have a business, website, and egg business. Three years ago, I managed to convince my husband to let me get 6 chickens to help manage the ticks in our yard. It was safe, natural tick control and we could get some breakfast out of it, too!

Turns out, I love chickens! They each have their own personality and there is just a joy in having them that I never would have imagined. There is something in the backyard poultry world called chicken math. It usually involves one chicken dying and two more taking its place. Well, I didn't bother to have any die. The next spring I joined forces with a friend and ordered six more chickens. They arrived with a bonus chicken which turned out to be a rooster. We were now up to thirteen birds. We lost one of the girls to a racoon and another to a hawk. The ticks were getting well under control. The rooster was out of control. Two of my children and I were loving the chickens. I wanted more.

This led to the straight run.

A straight run is when you don't choose whether you get boys (cockerels) or girls (pullets). Between the straight run and some improperly sexed birds, we ended up with 11 roosters and 42 hens. We have the tiniest birds (bantams) who are only about a pound to some of the largest (Brahmas) who are about 10 pounds. We collect from 12 to 22 eggs a day. Right now some of our hens are broody, so we don't get eggs from them. it is also spring and the boys are taking advantage of the girls. This is taking the joy out of their lives. We are working on separating most of the boys from the girls, so they can enjoy their days again. We are also working on building a breeding stock. This will be both for layers and meat birds. These birds have become our joy. We look forward to spending time with them and spoiling them rotten.

All of the girls get organic feed when possible. When the boys are with them, we cannot do it, as layer feed has too much calcium and will injure the boys. They do not make organic general feed in lower protein (not for meat birds) for general flocks. Apparently they don't care if your roosters eat organic. We are seeking a mill to make our own pellets, but until we can find that, we are stuck with natural feeds.

Our ladies lay lots of eggs! If you'd like some of their efforts, just let us know. If you'd like to contribute to their feed fund, you can make a donation here:

When you receive Hens in the Woods (HITW) Eggs, they are typically wiped down to remove any grime that may have accumulated on them. They are not fully washed like you will receive in the grocery store. We would like to try to maintain the bloom that is naturally on the egg. "The bloom, cuticle, or cuticula is a natural protective covering of an that helps keep bacteria from invading the porous shell." (https://www.mypetchicken.com/backyard-chickens/chicken-help/What-is-the-bloom-of-an-egg-H316.aspx, Retrieved 24 Mar 22). Basically, the bloom is the natural covering the chicken's body puts on the egg to protect it from infection while the chick grows. This keeps it protected from infection! Everybody knows that salmonella is an issue with eggs, but salmonella becomes a major issue for eggs once the egg is washed OR if you do not wash your hands or surfaces after handling unwashed eggs. We at HITW know most people do not want to receive eggs with any sort of "stuff" on them, so we will hand wipe our eggs. If there are eggs that are free of debris, they are left alone.

We will be happy to give you unwashed, unwiped eggs if you would like! Just email, call, or text and we will set them aside for you!