At Tikkun Homestead, we believe that producing high-quality eggs isn’t just about the end product – it’s about the holistic care and sustainable practices that go into each step along the way. Our approach emphasizes superior nutrition, ethical animal welfare, and responsible environmental stewardship with a high attention to detail. Here’s a closer look at the methods we use to bring the best eggs to your table.

Nutrition Strategy: A Thoughtful, Balanced Diet

Our feeding approach is designed to meet all the nutritional needs of our hens while enhancing the quality of the eggs they produce. Each component of their diet is carefully chosen for specific health benefits, contributing to the robust color and structure of the eggs and helping our flock thrive.

• Layer Feed with High Omega-3s: Our hens’ primary feed is a balanced layer mix that provides high levels of calcium and phosphorus for shell strength, high levels of protein to help the hens sustain their health while daily producing eggs, along with additional omega-3 fatty acids that are likely to enrich the egg yolks. Omega-3s are essential fats that support both hen health and may enhance the eggs’ nutritional value, providing a richer, more vibrant yolk color.
• Fermented Feed Blends: We ferment a combination of alfalfa pellets and a nutritious seed mix, which includes flaxseed and chia for extra omega-3s, and sunflower seeds for a boost of omega-6s which support flock health. The fermentation process introduces natural probiotics that support digestion and gut health, which are essential for immunity and nutrient absorption. Our fermented alfalfa adds xanthophyll, an antioxidant that enhances the golden-orange hue of the yolks, while our layer feed introduces marigold extract, a powerful xanthophyll supplement.
• Herbal Supplements: The flock’s diet includes a carefully curated mix of beneficial herbs such as turmeric, oregano, basil, rosemary, and chili flakes. Each of these contributes to hen health in unique ways: turmeric and oregano support immune function, basil aids in protecting respiratory health, rosemary aids digestion, and chili flakes contain capsaicin, which may further enhance yolk color. We also include oyster shell grit, providing an extra boost of calcium to ensure strong, durable eggshells.
• Targeted Nutritional Boosts: We occasionally mix in other nourishing ingredients, such as almond meal, for an extra protein boost during specific seasons or when we want to add variety. The supplements also include Vitamin B and K supplements to promote metabolic health, energy, and bone strength, and various amino acids to aid during seasonal changes, molting, and reproductive health.

Health & Wellbeing: Housing and Seasonal Adjustments

Our hens live in a spacious, secure coop that allows them to roam widely and express their natural behaviors, from foraging and scratching to dust bathing. During winter, we adjust their care by adding heating elements to keep them comfortable and active, ensuring that they continue to lay regularly despite the colder temperatures. Their outdoor space has additional activities, such as logs to play and roost on.

Our deep-litter bedding and compost method plays a major role in both flock health and coop hygiene. By maintaining a thick layer of bedding inside and outside of the coop, we create an insulating and composting environment. This bedding material captures natural warmth, reduces odor, and generates beneficial microbes, offering a natural way to support flock health and well-being. Additionally, it gives the hens an opportunity to scratch and peck at nutrient-rich layers within the litter, satisfying their instincts and further supporting their digestive health.

Environmental Sustainability: Local Composting for Healthier Soil

Sustainability is one of the driving values of Tikkun Homestead. Instead of relying solely on external feed, we incorporate locally sourced compost materials, turning what would otherwise go to landfills into valuable nutrients for our soil and fields. After the hens have had a chance to scratch and pick through their bedding, it naturally breaks down into compost rich in carbon, nitrogen, calcium, and other key micro and macro nutrients. This compost is used in our farm’s gardens, supporting soil health and reducing the need for chemical fertilizers – and will soon be sold!

Our hens’ contribution to this compost system means we are constantly renewing and enriching the land around us. Each aspect of our farm works together to create a regenerative, self-sustaining cycle, where the waste of one process becomes the input for another.

Egg Quality: What Makes Tikkun Homestead Eggs Stand Out?

You can see and taste the difference in Tikkun Homestead eggs. The deep color of our yolks is a sign of nutrient density, largely due to the xanthophyll-rich alfalfa, marigold, flaxseed, and omega-3 supplements we include in their feed. Our hens’ diet also contributes to the superior texture of the eggs – our whites are firm, with a well-defined structure, while our shells are strong and resilient.

In addition to the nutritional content, we pride ourselves on the aesthetic appeal and quality of our eggs. Each egg is carefully washed, candled, and hand-packed in a recyclable, hand stamped, vintage-style paper carton. To add a final layer of protection and prolong freshness, we apply a light food grade mineral oil finish that helps mimic the eggs’ natural bloom, reducing air and bacteria entry through the shell.

Our Commitment: Quality in Every Step

At Tikkun Homestead, our commitment to quality and sustainability guides everything we do. From our researched and calculated nutrition strategy and deep-litter bedding system, to our focus on composting and waste reduction, each detail works toward a goal of producing healthier, fresher eggs and produce in a holistic way that helps to make this world a better place.

Whether you’re picking up a carton for breakfast, baking, or special recipes, we hope you’ll notice the care that goes into each and every egg. Thank you for supporting sustainable farming practices and bringing our farm’s best to your table!