Egg Laying Hens Your Family Can Count On

April 19th, 2025 Update

Pullets:   SOLD OUT

12 month Hens (hatched May 2024): $20 each

PICKUP DATE:  April 26th  7am-9am

Reservations form at bottom of page

Care

The hens you will be buying have been the foundation of our flock of layers for this past season.  We sell eggs at a premium because the care and supplementation programs we use with our hens is unparalleled.  You are purchasing birds that have been managed under conditions that are "not normal".  

Our feed blend is custom created and is exclusively our own.  The ration is re-formulated monthly based on lab nutrient analysis reports. Adjustments are made to reflect the changing conditions of weather and overall flock vitality.  

Our supplementation program is alternating days of raw milk, whole apple cider vinegar, probiotics, kelp, alfalfa and activated charcoal.   You will be getting hens that are better than most pullets on the market. 

Principles of Competitive Exclusion Applied to Poultry

Competitive exclusion is a principle in ecology that states two species competing for the same limited resource cannot coexist indefinitely—one will outcompete the other and drive it to extinction or force it to adapt. This principle, also called Gause’s Law, explains how microorganisms, animals, and plants interact when competing for resources like food, space, or nutrients.Farming application -In our poultry,  competitive exclusion (CE) is commonly applied to gut microbiology and disease prevention. It works in two key ways:

Gut Microbiome Defense Against Pathogens:  A chickens’ intestines are home to beneficial bacteria that help with digestion, immune function, and nutrient absorption. When beneficial bacteria dominate, they prevent harmful pathogens from establishing themselves by:• Competing for nutrients: Good bacteria consume food sources before harmful bacteria can.• Blocking attachment sites: They coat the gut lining, preventing pathogens from attaching.• Producing antimicrobial compounds: Some beneficial microbes release acids and bacteriocins that inhibit harmful bacteria. For example, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria in the gut can outcompete Salmonella and Clostridium by denying them resources and space.The Result:  If our chickens have a strong, well-balanced microbiome, they are less likely to suffer from bacterial diseases like Salmonella, E. coli, or Clostridium perfringens (which causes necrotic enteritis). Using probiotics or fermented feed sources can enhance competitive exclusion by boosting beneficial gut bacteria.

Feed Digestion & Nutrient Absorption:  Since we supplement whole, raw milk, whole apple cider vinegar along with other probiotics for our birds, we are actively supporting gut health and nutrient digestion. The milk, with its enzymes and beneficial microbes encourages Lactobacillus growth, which helps in:• Breaking down lactose and improving gut acidity (preventing harmful bacterial overgrowth).• Enhancing digestion of fiber and proteins in the feed.         Competitive exclusion is one of nature’s best defenses against disease. By fostering a healthy gut microbiome in our chickens, we are naturally suppressing harmful bacteria while improving feed efficiency, gut health, and egg production.