Our chickens are our family, and we treat them to the best life we know how. They sleep in a clean, cozy coop carpeted in hemp bedding, and they free-range our property on most days of the calendar year. When the weather is not cooperating, our spoiled chickens spend their days lounging on organic straw bales in their huge outdoor run. In the depths of winter, we supplement our chickens’ diet with live insects, arugula, blueberries, grapes, and herbs. In their nesting boxes, our girls lay their eggs in a bed of soft, luxurious flax bedding that is mixed with our homemade dried herb blends that they enjoy pecking at as they lay. Every chicken has a name, which they recognize and respond to, and each one has its own special story. When you eat our eggs, you know they come from the happiest, most doted on chickens in Norfolk County!
Our on-site apiary of 10 hive colonies was established in 2019, and it is buzzing with activity for many months of the year. Our satellite apiaries in Haldimand-Norfolk consist of 8 hives in total. We source our nucs locally, and year by year, our beekeeping expertise grows. Our honey is raw and unpasteurized, so it retains all of its natural goodness. On our property, we do all that we can to support our bees as they forage, providing them with a wide variety of pollen and nectar sources, including the white Dutch clover that we have overseeded into our lawn. While we don’t name all of our bees, we do maintain the highest respect for the work they do on our planet. All of our bee products are made with 100% Ontario wax. Go bees, go! Want some bee hives on your property? Contact us for information on becoming a Fancy Farmerettes satellite apiary.
Growing food brings us joy, and we love sharing our bounty with our community. Though our patch is small, we pack as many fruits, vegetables, and flowers into it as we can. Looking for heirloom tomatoes? We’ve got them! Never tried a cucamelon? Let us introduce you! All of our fruits and vegetables are grown naturally, without the use of pesticides or fertilizers. The soil in our gardens is fed regularly with our compost, made up of chicken manure and food scraps, and amended with worm castings and biochar. We also use the spent hemp hurd from our chicken coop as mulch in some of our garden beds. Being a micro farm, we aren’t set up to produce large quantities of any particular product, but we aim to offer an appealing variety of garden goods. We hope our food stand will provide delightful surprises each time you visit. Our property farm stand is open from July 1st to September 30th. Come check us out!
Many beautiful animal souls have come and gone. Some have stayed a while longer. Here are all the current members of our adorable and happy flock.
Broadway is our alpha hen and the oldest of our girls, and she lays light pinkish-brown eggs. She moves slow like molasses and has a steady, calm temperament. Broadway is our pickiest eater and takes her sweet time mulling over options when offered a treat. At night on the perches, she likes to remind her bedmates that she is boss by pecking them in the eye or mischievously pulling on their earlobes.
Chelsea turns heads with her trendy lavender feathers and gorgeous eyes. She spends her days hanging out with Broadway (our alpha hen) and running away from her brother Charles, who is quite smitten with her. Because of her voluminous feathers, Chelsea does not enjoy our hot summers and can be found lounging in the shade, drinking ice water. She lays light brown eggs.
Manny has the cutest, most innocent face. Despite this, she is a feisty girl who loves pecking Veronica at bedtime, digging in the mud, and walking around with dirty feet. She is curious and active, often the first hen to investigate any changes on the farm. Manny will be found daily on her own (she is very independent), digging for the best bugs on the property (her specialty is hunting crickets). Manny lays very large brown eggs.
Jia tidbits for the silkie girls when the treats are especially awesome. Jia dislikes being held and screams bloody murder whenever she is picked up for cuddles. She is the protector of the silkie flock and shows courage when the neighbouring barn cat comes by. She lays very small light brown eggs.
Our one and only Marans hen, Ellen lays the most beautiful chocolate coloured eggs. She adores Charles and follows him around like a groupie. We love watching her feathered feet as she runs with the flock to the next best spot on our property. She is named after an amazing woman (EAB) in our personal lives.
Frida’s subtle distinguishing feature is the small dimple in her comb. Frida is swift and active, joining with the flock in whatever adventures are scheduled for the day. Frida's eggs are white in colour.
Laverne is a former Fancy Farmerettes Christmas card model, now retired. After being featured in what she feels is the best Christmas card photo in the history of Christmas card photos, Laverne now prefers to spend her days wandering around with a wet beard that needs blow-drying before bedtime in winter. She lays blue eggs and has the fluffiest cheeks that puff out when she is huddled on the perch at night. Sadly, she lost her twin sister Shirley (also a Christmas card model) to illness.
Who knew a chicken could be this small? Greta is tiny, but she is not afraid to explore. She is not afraid to stand scratching and pecking at the white clover in the middle of the lawn. Greta lays the most adorable little green eggs. Named after environmental activist Greta Thunberg, our little Greta reminds us to keep things green.
Named after a family friend who went the extra mile for us during a time of need, we hoped our Heidi would remind us of the importance of generosity and kindness. Unfortunately, she prefers to spend her days pecking others and grabbing treats from our outstretched hands. This girl is a work in progress. At least she lays nice green eggs.
Ingrid has beautiful mottled grey feathers and an adorable floppy comb. Independent and free spirited, she insists on jumping on Veronica’s shoulder every night as she makes her way onto the perches. Like her sisters, she lays green eggs.
Curious yet cautious, Ruby trills loudly when face-to-face with a camera. While she hasn’t yet developed the puffy cheeks and beard characteristic of Ameraucanas, she has already decided to pursue a career in modelling and take Laverne’s place in next year’s Christmas card photo.
Maggie has the sweetest little face and has yet to show her personality. The jury is still out on this one!
Is it wrong for us to wish for Rosie the Riveter, reincarnated in the body of a chicken?
The Carrie Bradshaw of our group. With layers of beautiful white lacing in her feathers, Manhattan already stands out as a style icon, ready to turn heads as she struts her stuff in the coop. Give this girl a pink tulle skirt!
Just as pretty as her sister, but with much more brown in her feathers, Macy is shy and elusive. She reminds us of our cherished first BLRW hen Brooklyn, who we lost last year. This one is going to be a beaut when she grows up.
Beatrix is lightening fast when it comes to hand fed treats. She will come out of nowhere, grab and swallow a treat before the older hens have even had a chance to look at what is offered. She is absolutely stunning now that she is fully feathered. The mahogany coloured feathers around her neck are 100% luxe.
Ni Hao is a foodie! She can be found searching for treats among the biggies every day. Ni Hao love eating! Because her name means “hello” in Chinese, we hope she will be friendly and kind.
Little Dumpling used to cause a ruckus in the brooder by jumping on top of the huddled group of chicks, mosh pit-style. Now she can be found competing for treats with her sister Ni Hao. This one is trouble! Irene is already eyeing her as her Mao Mao 2.0.