Organic (uncertified), Domestic, Humane and Mother Built

Organic
When we got our first small flock of chickens, many years ago, we were dismayed to find that the easily accessible commercial feeds contained horrible ingredients like animal by-product, antibiotics, and pesticides. In order to find a feed that contained only grain and the right balance of minerals, we discovered that we would have to make our own, which was a daunting task and we didn't take it on. When we came back to backyard poultry farming several years later, we were delighted to find easy access to feed containing only grains and minerals due to the conscientious efforts of other farmers, growers, and manufacturers in New Mexico. Knowing that fresh, leafy greens were also critical to good flock health, we went knocking on the back doors of the organic market loading docks that line the streets of Santa Fe, mecca of organic local food enthusiasts. The vegetables tossed into our bird pens have impressive pedigrees. Wholesome food and clean water from our own deep (and regularly tested) well give the geese, ducks, chickens, pheasant, partridge and quail a foundation for their natural good health. We know that the term "organic" is a moving target legally, depending on the USDA definition and certification process. We are not USADA certified organic. We are drug, chemical, pesticide, and animal by-product free.

Domestic
We start with chicks from New Mexican and Midwestern hatcheries and although many of the breeds of pheasant, partridge, and quail originated long ago in Asia, China, and parts East… all of the birds are Born In The USA. Our feathers are either from our own birds or bought directly (and unprocessed) from breeders in nearby states. I sort, wash, dry, and temperature treat the feathers myself and am pleased to be able to offer feathers that are 100% locally grown. Throughout the feather industry, many spectacular feathers are imported from other countries, where they can be purchased in bulk for much lower prices than I can offer, and while I don’t think that diseases like Bird Flu are transmitted by handling feathers, it is nice to not have to worry about it. Silver Pheasant in particular are popular feathers among feather artists and have been subject to bans and restrictions that make them hard to find (and we have them!). I know exactly how our feathers have been handled in every aspect of the process and can sell them with confidence that they meet our standards of health and animal husbandry ethics.

Humane
Our flock lives outside in an enormous covered aviary with natural trees, ground cover, plentiful roosts, shade, rocks, cubbyholes and heated winter shelters. They have fresh air and sunshine, fresh food and plentiful water, and the opportunity to engage in every aspect of natural behavior including flight but excluding incubating their own eggs (since my business is collecting and blowing their eggs for sale). Many of the species live out their natural lifespan in our care, which is more evidence of our own bleeding hearts than our good business sense. When the time comes to butcher a bird, we use a method we have researched and are convinced is by far the most humane, respectful, and quick. We don’t de-beak, overcrowd, confine, force-feed, or artificially light our birds. The eggs we collect daily during the laying season are infertile, and would never have hatched a chick anyway. When we do have a rooster in the hen house, or a cock in the pheasant flock, we keep him separate in his own spacious pen to maintain a safe space for our young children to work the birds with us.

Mother Built
Our labor force is made up of mothers who can do the work in their homes or in mine, with their babies by their sides (or literally bouncing around). They don't have to hire babysitting to do the work, which would cut their wages to almost nothing. I started this business in order to be able to work while taking care of my children, and I soon realized the huge potential in a labor force of women in exactly my same position, able to work, willing to work, often very much in need of work, but locked out of most available jobs due to baby. All our work is done inside the USA by mothers working next to their babies, we call this Mother Built.

The Feathered Egg is a true cottage industry, set among the pinon and juniper near the Pecos River in New Mexico. I admit that it’s a sweatshop, but the shop is my home and I’m doing the sweating, so that’s probably okay. The blown eggs, feathers, and images that make up our catalog of products are all derived from birds that are well cared for and well celebrated by their keepers. We are Organic because of the efforts of those who supply us with food and minerals for our birds. We are Domestic by networking with other farmers and enthusiasts throughout our continental United States.