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If you have spent any time around backyard chickens or local farms, you probably heard people talk about "unwashed eggs." Many customers are surprised to learn that fresh eggs naturally come with a protective coating. This means that they do not need to be washed immediately after collection. At Growing Roots Farm, we often receive questions about unwashed eggs, why some farms sell them, and whether they are available from us. Here's what you should know. What Is an Unwashed Egg? When a hen lays an egg, it is covered with a natural protective layer called the "bloom". This coating...

We have been homeschooling for many years, and I sometimes forget that what we do isn't the same for others. So, I am writing a monthly homeschool recap to demonstrate one way (there are so many methods out there!) that homeschooling can work.  We use an eclectic method of homeschooling that leans very heavily towards the Charlotte Mason method of teaching. Without going into too much detail about this method, it can be described as very literature-heavy. We read and discuss A LOT of books. We don't spend a lot of time on workbooks, worksheets, etc., We have gravitated toward...

I keep getting the same question lately; What is the difference between the chicken eggs and the duck eggs? Here is my attempt to answer that question in depth.    The short answer: duck eggs are larger, richer, and more nutrient-dense, while chicken eggs are milder, leaner, and more familiar in flavor and texture. Here’s a closer look at the major differences.   Size and Appearance One of the first things people notice is size. Duck eggs are typically 50–100% larger than standard chicken eggs. They also have: Thicker shells Larger yolks Darker orange yolks Stronger shell membranes The darker...

We have been homeschooling for many years, and I sometimes forget that what we do isn't the same for others. So, I am writing a monthly homeschool recap to demonstrate one way (there are so many methods out there!) that homeschooling can work.  We use an eclectic method of homeschooling that leans very heavily towards the Charlotte Mason method of teaching. Without going into too much detail about this method, it can be described as very literature-heavy. We read and discuss A LOT of books. We don't spend a lot of time on workbooks, worksheets, etc., We have gravitated toward...

In December, we made a quiet but important change here on the farm—one that reflects our commitment to continually improving the quality of the food we offer. Our laying hens are now fed a certified organic, soy-free feed, carefully formulated with ingredients like organic corn, peas, sunflower meal, flaxseed, fish meal, and alfalfa. This wasn’t a marketing decision—it was a quality decision. And today, we want to explain why it matters. What Is Soy Doing in Chicken Feed? In most conventional and even organic poultry systems, soybean meal is the primary protein source. It’s affordable, widely available, and nutritionally effective...