FreestyleFarm » AN URBAN FARM IN THE CITY

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freestyle eggs

We have four chickens who lay the most beautiful eggs. A beautiful flawless egg, with a healthy thick shell that’s tough to crack (unlike the papery thin supermarket variety), a yolk that’sbetter for you — with less cholesterol, less saturated fat, 2/3 more vitamin A, 2 times more omega-3 fatty acid, 3 times more vitamin E, and 7 times more beta carotene. Eggs that don’t contain antibiotics, used to treat infection and disease in overcrowded egg factories. Chickens need a minimum of 3 square feet per bird. Their natural behaviour is to scratch and forage for food — feeding on a varied diet of bugs, slugs, grass and weeds. They eat green bin waste and are natural composters that produce the best fertilizer that’s rich in nitrogen. They rid our garden of pests and weeds. They are the perfect garden companion — low maintenance, sing us songs (boy can they sing!), and honour us with these wonderful gifts.

Brown eggs: by Jenny      Green eggs: by Sunshine      Pink eggs: by the Gabor sisters…figures.

So this is why we did it. Even though it’s illegal to own chickens in Toronto, we’ve joined an ever-growing movement of others, who want to make some really good eggs for breakfast – from really happy chickens. Okay…not to sound like a tree-hugging activist, but please – take the time to visit Toronto Chickens and sign the petition. We are closer to getting this by-law changed. Council votes again in the spring, so the time to act is now.

Pink, green or brown, it’s all the same inside. Did you know you can
determine the colour of a chicken’s egg by the colour of it’s earlobe?

Hubby:  “Where are the chickens? you didn’t show them the chickens”

Me:  “Next post!”

  • Deirdre Pickford - those eggs look so pretty and fresh…i’m adding my name to the list – wonder what the rule is in pickering? how do you taste the difference?ReplyCancel

  • Jill - The consistency of the whites is thicker with more viscosity, not watery like store bought. The yolks sit round as opposed to flat. The colour is also richer, and even a deep orange in the summer when they have access to grass (more omega!)…right now we give them salad greens to supplement. Sunnyside up, I can taste the difference, not so much in an omelette with other ingredients…but the texture meatier. Not legal in Pickering either. Better than a gerbil!ReplyCancel

  • nancy Midwicki - You know I am jealous of your birds!! As Marvin and I are planning a trip to Europe this fall, I am hesitant to indulge as yet. Having two aging dogs is enough responsibility as it is. My decision at present has nothing to do with the legality of raising chickens in the city. As a matter of fact, I think it’s a load of crap especially when we are infested with chicken-eating, rabies-infested raccoons and an over-abundance of skunks in this town!ReplyCancel

  • Katty Ray - I been heard the chickens and fresh eggs from aunt Edith, and glad to seen them all,they broght me back to my childhood, jenny is speical familar! great jobs! Jill! what a cute name for Ava and Zsa Zsa Gabor sisters! looking forward to see everybody on China and HK tripReplyCancel

  • Trish - HI there, I received your website from Toronto backyard chicken farmer Darlene. I emailed her last year when I was looking for chicks. We’ve been urban chicken farming ever since and just like you, love it!
    I was thinking of expanding, and have my eye on getting a Micro Pig as a housepet as they are good for people with allergies, smart etc..and they aren’t large. I was disappointed to learn that Toronto says micro pigs are illegal. Is there a petition you’ve started that i can sign or some way to help fight this law?
    thanks for your help!
    TrishReplyCancel

  • Jill - @Trish: No I haven’t started a petition. But I’m sure there is not enough of a movement for micropigs. Unless you plan on parading it down the street and have very nosey neighbours, you are probably ok. Where are you getting your pig from? be careful, some claim micro, but then they grow really big. I already have a down payment on the next litter at http://www.ourlittleflock.com, they are relatively close to Toronto, just over an hour’s drive.ReplyCancel

  • It’s not for everyone » FreestyleFarm - […] Abi’s final post with my random comments here. Why we have chickens here. Posted in […]ReplyCancel

  • Vote “YES” to chickens! » FreestyleFarm - […] we do we have chickens? Aside from fresh amazing eggs, they also make fun pets and garden companions. Every gardener should have a few. We only have a […]ReplyCancel

  • Backyard Chickens “deferred indefinitely” » FreestyleFarm - […] couldn’t agree more. Homemade eggs are the […]ReplyCancel

  • Shiitake Mushrooms, a year later: it worked! » FreestyleFarm - […] them simply sauteed in butter with garlic, or in omelettes with swiss chard from the basement, and eggs from our backyard […]ReplyCancel

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