Egg Shares Available

The rainy weather is keeping me out of the garden so I'm spending a little time on marketing. If I haven't mentioned it before the organization's name for production is Gardens Of Organic Diversity (GOOD). Gardens, plural, since both my uncle and brother are caring for their own gardens and are included in production and experimentation. Would love to have other gardens included.

I didn't want to market anything until I was sure I could produce it. So far, eggs seem to be the one thing I am sure I am able to offer, thanks to the girls, of course. Much like Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) we are offering egg shares. Read below for the details. Thanks.

Gardens Of Organic Diversity - Egg Shares

ɵ Pastured ɵ Organically Fed ɵ Always FRESH ɵ Consumer Inspected


How does the Egg Share work?
Similar to a CSA (community supported agriculture), individuals are invited to invest in our chicken egg operation. Shares are purchased for an agreed upon price. Each Egg Share entitles the individual to 30 dozen eggs over the course of 3 seasons (Spring, Summer, Fall)*. We are guaranteed a consumer for what we produce and you are guaranteed a fresh product at a low set price.

How do I get my eggs?
We will be offering delivery to the Bloomington Downtown Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings and to the Normal area on Tuesdays. Other delivery dates, times and locations will be announced later.

How are the chickens raised?
They free range on pasture and are supplemented with local, organic layer feed. Come out and see them for yourself. We will regularly invite Egg Share holders to visit the flocks. We also like to post pictures of our birds. We’re quite proud.

*No more than 2 dozen eggs can be picked up at one time per Egg Share. If you think you might need more eggs you can purchase multiple Egg Shares. If for any unforeseen reason we are unable to provide all 30 dozen we will provide a refund on undelivered eggs.

Email jake@grandprairiefood.com if you have any questions or would like to purchase shares.

2006 Egg Shares are limited. Prices are $90 per share; $48 per 1/2 share; and $170 for two shares.

I accept cash, check, money order, paypal, VISA, MC and AMEX.

Check back soon for information on flock shares and how you can enjoy some organic, pasture raised broilers.

Part of the flock on a sunny day last January.

The Piled Pullet That Pulled Through

She made it. After an hour or so she was moving her head and opening her eyes for short periods. I could not interest her in any food or water. I kept the fire going and kept rotating the bricks. At one point I rolled her over onto a dry part of the towel and she decided to sit up. After a brief look around she tucked her head and went back to sleep. She would chirp whenever she heard me approach or walk away. Some time later she soiled the towel so I decied to move her to a box with the warm bricks and some food and water. She slept a couple more hours. About 3:30 she came out of the box walking around. I went over and pecked at the food with my finger and she quickly went to work at it herself. She was clearly recovered. She was intent on leaving the box to explore the front room so I decided to move her to the garage. Later, she got in a broiler box with the chicks so I moved her to the breezeway which was dark at the time meaning she would go to sleep. This morning she seems fine. I am letting her stay in the garage again until the weather warms a bit, maybe Monday.

When I picked her up I thought she was dead and even when I discovered she was alive I gave her a slim chance of surviving. Now it looks as if she'll live out her life as an egg layer. If she can only avoid the pitfalls of farm life for 10-12 more weeks.

More Cold Weather & Rain

Ahhhh, Spring on the Grand Prairie! The rain we could definitely use though my peppers and toms don't care for this cold weather any. It's the chicks I'm most worried about. The new arrivals are snug inside their brooder boxes but the 7 1/2 week olds are outside. The broilers should be okay but the others just made it out in the last week. I took extra steps with some hay bales and wood to protect them against the wind and rain. I'm tempted to make a fire myself.

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I wrote the above before retiring last night. This morning when I checked everyone seemed fine but on closer inspection I found two black austrolorp pullets on the ground apparantly piled from last night. When I removed them I noticed one had it's eyes partly open and sure enough it was alive. I tucked her into my coat right away to shield her wet and trampled body from the wind. I brought her in, wrapped her in a towel and set her on the chair by the fire. I mixed some maple syrup, warm water and acv (apple cider vinegar) for quick energy. She was unconscious so I just tried putting a couple drops on her beak. I noticed her breathing strengthen as I sat with her on my lap holding warm bricks from the stovetop against her and cupping her very cold feet in my hands. I just set her down a minute ago. She was starting to move her head a little and her feet are shivering beneath the towel. I hope this is a sign she is warming and recovering. When I found her she was immobile and looked just like her dead sister. She has a spot of fresh blood near her ear. Cannot tell if this is external or from internal cause. She may survive the hypothermia only to succumb to injuries.

Just checked again and her breathing is definitely stronger and more steady.

She has met my last 3 approaches with small chirps, a good sign.

Planting & Getting Ready For Market

The title sums up what I've been doing since the last post. I don't like to use this excuse too often but "I've been real busy!"

With the help of my neighbor friend, Mary, and her kids (one of whom is my new helper)I got all of the potatoes in. I've also put out some pepper and tomato transplants, as well as more plantings of beans, greens, radishes, beets, etc. Our corn seed is untreated so we must wait for warm soil to plant. Gourds, pumpkins, melons and cukes will go in soon too. I have a lot of flower seed to go in too.

All of the chicks are out now. Still few losses. Something got at a pullet through their pen wire. It was only a small wound but enough to kill it. I noticed an injured wing on another. Obvious predator damage. I suspect the new cat who came home with me (unintentionally) in a load of feed . He also had been in the garage the night I lost 6 pullets to piling. It was not cold out and I had not had any other recent losses. I think the cat was up on their brooder cage causing a panic. When they pile in the corners the bottom ones can get killed. That is where I found the 6, dead but no predator damage. I now remember reading about making curved inserts for corners to help prevent this. Will try it with the new chicks coming.

I wanted to start marketing my produce in Bloomington yesterday, Saturday. I did not have a lot but enough to offer anyway. I had a bad experience the week before with a garage sale I held at my brother's. I was trying to raise a little cash since I've put about all available funds into the new garden venture. So I spent all this time getting ready and gas to get there only to make just enough to cover gas. And it cost me a day's planting to boot. I was afraid I would end with the same results in Bloomington with my small offering so I went with the sure thing and did a bunch of planting instead.

Still looking for any volunteers or cheap day laborers. Email me at jake@grandprairiefood.com if you want to come out to Flanagan and lend a hand. All the sunshine and fresh air you could want!