❘ Country Living
26 ❘ Klamath Life ❘ Close to Home
HENS, from page 25
Jon said. When it’s 20 degrees outside on a winter day, it’s 40 About every four or five days, or 45 degrees inside the greenJon moves the hoop houses and house. enclosures to the next section of At night it still gets cold, land. The chickens keep the grass but Lauren and Jon said hens mowed and fertilize it at the will pile together for warmth same time. when they sleep. The only catch, the Hobbs “If you go in at night and stick note, is the holes the chickens dig your hand amongst all the birds, can be pitfalls walking across the it’s warm and toasty in there,” Jon property. said. You can’t judge a hen by its Other egg producers will use feathers. Lauren describes their hen houses, but the darkness hens as “working girls.” As fall affects the hens, keeping them settles in many of the birds are from producing as many eggs, molting, making them look less Jon said. than attractive. Lauren likes to “They tend to lay and follow say they are taking a vacation the amount of available sun,” he because as they molt, they prosaid. duce fewer eggs. Happy in the pecking order As a result, Lauren said, the With 1,400 hens, the Hobbs number of eggs is dropping from have trouble getting to know the 1,000 a day to about 700. individual personalities of their Happy in the wintertime chickens, but they say the birds One advantage the Hobbs are social animals. have is they are able to keep their “ ‘Henpeck,’ ‘pecking order,’ hens producing eggs through those all aptly apply to chickens,” the winter. Other egg producers Lauren said. in the Rogue Valley are unable “You’ll see some personalto keep their hens producing ity,” Jon said. “Some will remove during the cold winter months, themselves from the flock and which is why “Poe”tential Farm come up to you. They’re hoping has been able to secure contracts in Ashland to deliver eggs to get something to eat.” Even with the large number all winter long, Lauren said. of hens, Jon said he thinks the Also, the Hobbs bring the hens are happy. And happy hens chickens from the fields into make better eggs. greenhouses in colder months. Originally the Hobbs bought “Even though the technical the greenhouses to grow vegeta- books say you can’t tell a happy bles. Now they’re winter homes animal from a sad one, when you put chickens on fresh pasture for the chickens. they seem to perk up,” he said. A greenhouse can bring the Continued on page 27 temperature up 20 or so degrees,
The
Ultimate
So you want to sell eggs? Here are some rules to follow
■ You DO need a license if you sell or distribute eggs to: consumers, retailers, cafes, bakeries, hospitals, schools , boarding houses or institutions. ■ You DO NOT need a license if you: deliver direct to an individual customer, sell at farmers markets, sell only ungraded eggs to a dealer. ■ Eggs must be properly labeled by size Jumbo – 30 oz. Extra large – 27 oz. Large – 24 oz. Medium – 21 oz. Small – 18 oz. Pee wee/pullet – 15 oz. ■ An egg handler’s license is $25 per fiscal year Information from the Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Rules and Regulations for the Oregon Shell Egg Producer information sheet.
Passing the test: Eggs are inspected at “Poe”tential Farm, then washed before they are packaged and sent to stores and restaurants throughout Southern Oregon. H&N photos by Samantha Tipler
in the Klamath Basin
Outdoor
Store
Snowboarding & Ski Gear • Fishing Gear • GPS Systems Firearms • Rentals
The Oregon Department of Agriculture issues licenses for egg producers.
Since 1978 7364 So. 6th • 541.883-3726
Quail Park Offers MORE • All Day Dining-from our Menu
• Washer & Dryer in Apt.*
• Pool and Hot Tub
• Bus Transportation (4 days)
* in suites & cottages
Free Tours 7 Days a Week!
RETIREMENT SUITES • 1 Bedroom + Patio • 2 Bedroom Cottage • Respite Room
1000 Town Center Drive • Klamath Falls, OR 97601 • (541) 885-7250 • Fax (541) 882-8882