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Are you an egg lover? If so, you know that fresher is better when it comes to eggs. And you cant get much fresher than raising your own egg laying hens. Its not as hard as you might think.
Annie Farrell, the farm master at Millstone Farm in Wilton, is running a backyard poultry workshop on Sat. March 12 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the farm, located off Millstone Road. Ill be giving a presentation on the basics of raising and keeping chickens, Annie says. Participants will meet the chicks that have just hatched and see how we raise our chickens. They'll also get instruction packages covering everything a chicken farmer needs to know.
The Millstone chickens live in grand style in gypsy wagons which Annie calls Coupe de Villes. The area is fenced in to protect the birds from coyotes, but the greatest threat to the birds comes from the air. The Coopers Hawks get quite a few, she says, despite netting covering the entrance to the hens homes. Once a week, the wagons and their enclosure are moved to a different area of the farm so that the hens always have fresh ground to forage for food. Millstone has around 10 heirloom breeds that lay eggs in a range of pastel colors. Many of the eggs are sold to local restaurants and to Wiltons Village Market.
Millstone chickens typically arrive as tiny chicks from the breeder. We buy from conservation breeders to make sure they are heirloom hens, Annie says. The hens start laying when they are 20 weeks old. The first eggs, called pullets, are very small. Chefs love them, says Annie. Hens lay for about two years and then they transition to the stewpot.
If youre interested in learning more about chicken farming, book yourself into Millstones poultry workshop. The cost is $30 per person. Kids are welcome. Call (203) 834 2605 to reserve your spot.
Have you ever eaten a freshly laid egg? Would you like to raise your own hens?
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