In previous posts, I refer to the 'farm fantasy' because when I say I live on a farm the general response is 'Oh, how fun!'. This was my first inclination too; I wanted a farm because I love animals. I didn't realize having a farm would be very hard for that very reason. We tend to think of how fun it would be to have chickens but seldom think about how sad it is to lose them.
Robert found 7 dead chickens in the coop and pasture this morning. He said it looked like the work of either a fox or coyote. It always makes me a little sad when this happens even though I am fully aware that it's a risk we take in raising free range animals. For us, it's the constant question...do you lock your animals up in order to keep them safe or allow them to range freely & happily even if it means a shorter life span? We choose the latter and try to protect them as much as possible without hindering their lifestyle.
If you wonder why free range, pasture fed eggs & chicken are more expensive, this is exactly why. We have to balance the risk; we know all the birds we work to feed and raise won't produce as many eggs as chickens locked in a small cage with little threat to their lives. The survivors balance the cost of those less fortunate and they produce a healthier, tastier product as well. We find the reward out weighs the risk, even though sometimes it's still a little sad.
The fence has been mended and we are still hoping to fulfill all of our egg orders for this Saturday but know this loss will effect our numbers. I will let those who have ordered know Friday night if we do not have enough eggs to fulfill. Thank you for understanding & see you Saturday!
Robert found 7 dead chickens in the coop and pasture this morning. He said it looked like the work of either a fox or coyote. It always makes me a little sad when this happens even though I am fully aware that it's a risk we take in raising free range animals. For us, it's the constant question...do you lock your animals up in order to keep them safe or allow them to range freely & happily even if it means a shorter life span? We choose the latter and try to protect them as much as possible without hindering their lifestyle.
If you wonder why free range, pasture fed eggs & chicken are more expensive, this is exactly why. We have to balance the risk; we know all the birds we work to feed and raise won't produce as many eggs as chickens locked in a small cage with little threat to their lives. The survivors balance the cost of those less fortunate and they produce a healthier, tastier product as well. We find the reward out weighs the risk, even though sometimes it's still a little sad.
The fence has been mended and we are still hoping to fulfill all of our egg orders for this Saturday but know this loss will effect our numbers. I will let those who have ordered know Friday night if we do not have enough eggs to fulfill. Thank you for understanding & see you Saturday!
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