Our pro-Earth, cruelty-free policy
The hen's daily routine consists of foraging 12-14 hours a day on 70 acres before going to rest at night in one of our mobile coops on wheels. The mobile coops are frequently rotated to different locations throughout the farm for new insects, seeds, and foliage for the chickens to munch on. This regenerative method is commonly referred to as rotational grazing. After the mobile coops are moved, a cover crop is applied to restore the soil and retain carbon emissions with help from the nutrients left behind from the chicken manure. The mobile coops are equipped with fully automatic chicken doors with sensors powered exclusively by wind and solar energy to detect when the sun rises and sets to protect the chickens from outside predators. Cameras are installed inside and outside of the coops to monitor the safety and behaviors of our hens. Diatomaceous earth is used as a natural pest-repellent to ward off mites and fleas. Unlike commercial poultry farms solely optimizing for profit, once our hens have matured past their prime egg laying years, they are left to enjoy the sunshine instead of culled.
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What do the hens eat?
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From date of hatch to 16 weeks, our chicks are fed certified organic non-corn/non-soy chick starter. At 16 weeks, they are moved to the mobile coops to forage on natural insects, seeds, and foliage. In addition to their foraging diet, the hens are supplemented with a certified organic non-corn/non-soy protein layer blend to promote egg production. A supply of oyster shells is available to the hens to increase calcium intake, resulting in a stronger, more robust eggshell.
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Seasonally, the hens receive supplemental nutrients from two daily servings of raw goat milk fresh from our herd as well as an occasional ration of pumpkins as a natural de-wormer. Our goats forage on over 30 acres of natural foliage such as native plants that the chickens don't have access to, converting it into a sustainable source of nutrients that contributes to egg quality, all while supporting a biodiverse regenerative system.
INTRODUCING CAYUGA DUCKS
The cool thing about Cayuga ducks is the color of their eggshell can range dramatically. At the beginning of their egg laying season, they will lay a dark, black egg. The pigment will slowly fade throughout their cycle, ranging from a dark grey to an almost white color. These ducks are also considered to be critically endangered, so we are excited to have a chance to help restore this beautiful and prolific breed.
What makes us different?
Our business model is unique, as most poultry farms purchase a limited variety of breeds chosen solely for egg production qualities to optimize profit margins based on limited space and feed costs. At Twisted Fields, we hatch our own chicks from specialty breeds to specifically target unique egg color and good foraging genetics. Most of our layers aren't as prolific as a standard white or brown laying hens, but that doesn't matter to us because we have the land and sustainable feed sources to counterbalance the cost. Not only are the yolks larger, richer, and healthier than standard commercial eggs, but our eggshells are unique and vibrant in color. We like to refer to them as "rainbow eggs" because of the broad spectrum of colors our flock produces!
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See where to find our eggs here.
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Purchase chicks or hatching eggs here.