What was it like growing up on an egg farm?

My first memories of the farm are out with Dad after hours doing the late-night barn checks. Dad would go in and we'd be checking on the birds to make sure they were okay. From making sure the fans were running and there was feed in the troughs, to catching chickens, moving birds, picking eggs on weekends and working in the grading station, I did pretty much every job you can do on an egg farm.

What is a special memory of yours from the farm growing up?

The chicken barn was the hub of our family and the place where we spent the majority of our time. Whether my sisters and I were getting along or not, the chicken barn is where we ended up. We grew up in the barn, and I would like the same for my kids.

Why did you choose to become an egg farmer and what does it mean to you?

Feeding people is rewarding. Knowing that our work helps people live healthy is what drives us.

How do you define hen care and why is it important to you?

Our hens are the most important to us. I check on them first thing in the morning and the last thing at night. Everything starts and ends with a healthy hen.

Why did you choose to become an egg farmer and what does it mean to you?

At the beginning, we were looking to expand our dairy operation and add some diversity.  Due to the time commitment of dairy farming we felt egg farming would be a great fit.  As we started enquiring, we felt a support system surrounding us instantly.

What is your favourite part about being an egg farmer?

Why did you choose to become an egg farmer and what does it mean to you?

We love being able to provide healthy, quality food for people. We especially love knowing our eggs are enjoyed by consumers every day.

Why did you choose to become an egg farmer?

I grew up on an egg farm and enjoyed the responsibilities as a kid going to the barn with my parents. I still enjoy going to the barn every day, taking care of the hens and doing the daily chores.

Why did you choose to become an egg farmer?  

Being able to hold that egg in your hands that the hens you have cared for laid. It’s remarkable to know that you are producing a healthy, sustainable, safe and affordable food with such a great story behind it.

Why is hen care important to you?

Laying hens will naturally lay an egg and produce safe food for our consumers.  We provide the hens everything they need to be healthy. The barn is warm and safe, which allows them to exhibit their natural behaviours.

What would you like people to know about quality hen care?

“To us, it is all about providing the best care for our birds – it’s the focus of everything we do. It is important to provide water, food and a comfortable environment for our hens. It is our job to make sure our hens live a good and healthy life. When our birds are healthy, they produce safe, high-quality, nutritious eggs for Ontario consumers.”

Why did you choose this housing system?

“We chose different housing systems for our hens to be able to give consumers a choice in buying eggs.”

What is your family history?  

“My grandfather bought our farm in 1967 and he and my father milked cows until 1994. That year, we made the transition from dairy cows to broiler chickens (chickens raised for meat). In 2008, when I purchased the farm from my father, I decided to take on a new challenge - growing pullets.“

What is your farm history? Why did you choose to be egg farmers?

“While Marloes grew up on a farm and I worked on one, we were never farmers - this was something we came to later in life. After getting married, we both worked in an urban setting for seven years before we decided egg farming was what we wanted to do.  We chose to become egg farmers because we felt that producing high-quality products, like eggs, for the people of Ontario was an interesting and challenging way to grow our business.