Q & A

How many generations has your family been egg farming?

We are third generation egg farmers.

Which family members work on your farm?

Myself and my spouse.

How long have you been egg farming?

I've been farming since I was a child and egg farming for the past 12 years.

Why did you begin egg farming?

When I was growing up on the farm, I really didn't appreciate it in my younger years. I didn't like that there was ALWAYS work to do and the uncertainty of when you would finish work. Sometimes that was a challenge with having a social life, especially in the teen years, so I always thought I wanted a desk job where you clock in and clock out. After graduating university and working at a desk job and having my 'dream scenario' I started craving more. It was that point when I realized how much I missed working with my hands, and missed working with the chickens. Though I'm never as clean when I get home from working on the farm as I was when I worked that desk job, working the farm has given me a whole new appreciation and joy of the work that I get to do.

Do you raise any other livestock or crops on your farm?

We grew raspberries for years, but since going cage-free and using the space we set aside for the chickens pasture area, we have downsized on our crops. We still currently do have a few acres of blueberries, corn and cedar trees on our farm as well as three pet sheep.

What is your favourite part about being an egg farmer?

My favorite part of egg farming is being able to reap what you sow and that there's always something new. The effort and hard work you put into the farm, you get to see first hand. You can never spend too much time in barns with the hens, (though my wife may beg to differ) but you can always improve and tweak things to do better, especially since every flock is slightly different and has its own personality. You are constantly learning and adapting new techniques.

Why did you choose the production type you use?

When I was growing up, we used to have old A-frame conventional cages, and gathered eggs by hand, every day for years…. But, there came a time when we had to decide to retool a barn. We started with slatted free run systems but after going to Europe and researching the new equipment they had out there, we decided the route that best suited us and our hens was the aviary housing system. We were interested in the new techniques, the new technology and advanced systems for this type of production and were up for the challenge and excitement to learn something knew. Since then, which has been about 6 years, we retooled all our barns into cage free facilities and are 100% cage free as of 2020.

What would you like consumers to know about egg farmers/egg farming?

I want our consumers to know that egg farming is 24/7 and 365 days a year and we feel honored and very appreciative of the fact that we are able to provide our local community with farm fresh eggs continually throughout the year. We thank you for your continued support over the years by buying our local eggs from us and from our fellow egg producers. Without your support we wouldn't be able to do what we do!

What does being an egg farmer mean to you?

I think that being an egg farmer, you always have your hens on your mind and are thinking about their well being. You're constantly thinking of ways to improve the hens quality of life along with the quality of eggs being laid. You enjoy responsibility of taking care of your hens as it's a job that's done everyday, regardless of how you feel, statutory holidays, and other life obligations like weddings/funerals/Christmas etc. Being an egg farmer is not just a job, it's really a committed lifestyle. People view us a farm managers but really the hens are managing us and our life as everything is based on the chickens well-being and schedule. They are our top priority each and every day.

Who is your feed provider?

Ritchie-Smith Feeds

Who is your chick provider?

Hy-line North America

What brand are your eggs sold under?

Country Golden Yolks

Where are your eggs sold?

Any local grocery store and at our farm stand (theeggstore.ca).