Category: Meat

Benefits of Farm Fresh Eggs

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Beautiful Easter Eggs

There’s something special about cracking open a farm-fresh egg—the deep golden yolk, the firm whites, and the knowledge that it came from a happy, well-cared-for hen. If you’ve ever had eggs straight from a local farm, backyard coop, or farmers’ market, you know they taste better. But beyond flavour, farm-fresh eggs offer a ton of benefits that make them worth seeking out.

One of the biggest advantages is nutrition. Fresh eggs tend to be richer in vitamins like A, D, and E, as well as omega-3 fatty acids, thanks to the varied diet of free-range chickens. Hens that roam outside eat a mix of grains, bugs, and plants, leading to eggs with a more balanced and nutrient-packed profile compared to their store-bought counterparts. Studies have even shown that pastured eggs can have higher levels of antioxidants, which help fight inflammation and boost overall health.

Then there’s the matter of freshness. Store-bought eggs can be weeks old by the time they hit your fridge, while farm-fresh eggs are often laid just days—or even hours—before you bring them home. This freshness not only enhances the taste but also makes them better for baking, as the proteins hold their structure more effectively, resulting in fluffier cakes, firmer meringues, and richer custards. Plus, because farm eggs don’t go through commercial washing processes that strip away their natural protective coating, they stay fresh longer when stored unwashed at room temperature.

Ethics and sustainability also play a big role. Many small-scale farmers prioritize humane treatment, giving their hens plenty of space to roam, dust bathe, and enjoy a more natural lifestyle. When you buy locally, you’re also supporting sustainable farming practices and reducing the carbon footprint associated with transporting mass-produced eggs across the country. It’s a simple way to contribute to a healthier food system while enjoying a superior product.

Of course, the joy of farm-fresh eggs isn’t just about nutrition or ethics—it’s also about the connection to where your food comes from. Knowing the farmer, seeing the hens pecking in the grass, and cracking open an egg that was laid that very morning makes breakfast feel a little more special. Whether you’re scrambling them, poaching them, or baking with them, farm-fresh eggs bring a richness and depth of flavor that’s hard to beat. So if you haven’t already, give them a try—you might never go back to store-bought again! 


The Backyard Homestead Guide to Raising Farm Animals

Garlic Herb Roasted Pastured Chicken

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Roast Chicken

This classic recipe lets the natural flavor of pastured poultry shine.

Ingredients:

• 1 whole pastured chicken

• 2 tbsp olive oil or melted butter

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tsp salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

• 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped

• 1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped

• 1 lemon, cut into wedges

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and place it in a roasting pan.

3. In a small bowl, mix the olive oil (or butter), garlic, salt, pepper, rosemary, and thyme.

4. Rub the mixture all over the chicken, making sure to get under the skin for extra flavor.

5. Stuff the cavity with lemon wedges.

6. Roast for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). Let rest for 10 minutes before carving. 

Here’s a Recipe for Pastured Chicken and Vegetable Stir-Fry


 

Moving our Animals inside for Winter

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Briden, Ebon, and Patsy

Here in Nova Scotia we sometimes have up to six feet of snow and temperatures as low as -25°C or 13°F. Actually colder in some Northern parts of the Province! So, that means our animals need shelter for Winter. 

To be honest, it actually saves us time, once we get them all moved in. For most of the year, from Spring to Fall, sometimes even into Winter, all our critters get moved on a pretty regular basis. Usually every week, or so, they get moved to a new pasture. The rule of thumb is to move Goats at least every 30 days, Pigs at least every two weeks, and SHEEP!!! Sheep need to be moved every 4 Days! Ok! Why all this moving!? 

Here Briden Farm we keep everything natural and we don’t use antibiotics, chemical dewormers, or other drugs to medicate our critters unless they absolutely need it! In fact we haven’t used any since we began over four years ago!

That’s because by moving everyone on a regular basis, Goats at least every 30 days, Pigs biweekly, and Sheep every 4 Days, we stay ahead of the parasite cycle! See, with Sheep, their worms become infective on day 5. So we move them every four days, and they are on their new pasture, before their parasites get a chance to infect them! 

That’s just part of the system though! The other part is that once we move them, nothing gets back on the same piece of ground for at least 90 Days! That way the parasites have no Host to infect because they’ve moved before the parasites can infect them, and by not returning for at least 90 days, the parasites not only have nothing to live on, but die before our animals return to that area. Thus chemicals are not needed! Thus, all our critters live as natural as possible! 

The only time we give our animals anything other than fresh water and their grains is when they have a cut, or something like that. Up until recently we used Watkins Medicated Ointment and Petro Carbo Salve. However, Watkins recently decided to stop selling all their Non-Food items!

So, now, we’ll be using Rawleigh Medicated Ointment and Rawleigh Antiseptic Salve

Both of these good ole companies have produced these wonderful products for over 135 Years! 

Anyway, I digress, let’s get back to getting our livestock back inside for Winter!

Imagine, how laborious it is to move sheep every four days, pigs at least every couple weeks, and goats at least every month! Compound that by the number of pastures. Sometimes we have a half dozen pastures on the go at a time! All needing to be rotated on a regular basis!

Very tiring and time consuming! Sort of makes one think about why naturally raised, ethically treated, rotationally pastured pork, poultry, and other meat costs so much! Right? Usually our meat birds get moved at least once, or twice, a day!

So, once we get everyone moved inside for the Winter we sort of get a chance to rest! 

Now You know the Rest of the Story!