MINIPAWSS EGG RUN

happy healthy eggs

One of our family friends had a very sickly young child.  The year was around 1945.  The Japanese occupation of Hong Kong just ended.  The time was uncertain, so, as I can imagine, are medical resources.  The mom finally found a doctor willing to help the child.  He said, “find a village with chickens, move next to the farm with chickens and feed the child fresh eggs every day.”  And, as my mother would wrap up the story, “the child got very healthy”.

Farm fresh eggs are healthier than the mass-produced eggs.  Can you imagine?  If I was an egg, I’d be happier if I was borne by a chicken that runs free in a garden than a chicken that’s cooped up in a dirty crowded cage.  And I think a happy egg makes a healthier egg.

I once visited a mass production egg farm.  The living conditions for the chickens were horrid.  They were crammed in dirty multi-level cages with no room to roam.  That was one of the most cruel and inhumane ways to treat animals I’ve ever seen.  Since that experience, I tried to buy farm eggs where chickens are free to roam.

Now that I have moved to Sequim, Washington, I try to get true free range chicken eggs whenever I can.  I am surrounded by farm families that keep backyard chickens.  Often, friends and neighbors would drop off a dozen fresh eggs.  When that runs out, I go on an egg hunt.

It’s an egg hunt because a lot of times they are sold out when I get there. In the winter time, chickens take a rest on egg laying and it’s harder to find fresh eggs. When I can’t get fresh eggs, I usually get other farm fresh goodies.

The neighborhood farmers set up fresh produce and egg stands. You can drive up, pick your dozen eggs and whatever fresh produce are offered, and put your cash in the box. It’s an honor system.

Barden’s Gardens 

Along with eggs, I’ve purchased from Barden’s Garden fresh bacon, honey, Asian pears, etc.  The bacon and honey were amazing.  But the Asian pears were incredible.  I tried a couple in the Winter of 2019, ran back the next day to get more but they were already sold out.  One time this spring, I stopped by the farm.  Eggs were sold out, but I was able to pick up a bag of the most beautiful red onions for $1.  They were so wonderful, I used them up very quickly.  Next to the farm stand is a food sharing stand.  You can donate and pick up food as needed.  How cool is that?  This week I stopped by again.  The farmer picked fresh eggs from the chicken coop for me (picture of eggs in bowl below).

Happy Valley Farm

This farmer has a hundred chickens. To get there, you have to drive through some beautiful farm roads, turn on Happy Valley Road. Go pass the Happy Valley Alpaca Ranch. Take in the breathtaking view of Sequim. You can check out the chickens. They come up to you as soon as you walk close. They are a very friendly bunch.

Take a scenic drive south of 101 to get your fresh farm eggs.