Interview: Terry Golson, Terrific Hen Lady

Terry Golson is one terrific, dedicated hen lady.  In my short visit to her beautiful home, I observed hen-themed soaps, stickers, drinking glasses, a welcome mat, teapots, a quilt, planters, candles, salt-and-pepper shakers, and magnets - not to mention the charming felt hen pin Terry wore on her jacket. (Oh, and the two small hen houses she has out back.) This is the person to come to with any and all hen-and-egg questions.  So I asked her a few:

Tell me about your hens.
My hens are divided into two groups. The hens in the "big barn" tend to be bossy and too aggressive to get along with the small bantam hens and the more mild-mannered breeds in the other barn. Like dog breeds, breeds of chickens go beyond looks. There's also temperament. For example, Orpingtons are docile, but a tad boring. Sussex is an energetic, curious bird. It's fun to have a variety. Their breeds and personalities are on the "bios" page on my website. http://www.hencam.com/henbios.htm.

What are the differences between farm fresh eggs and commercial eggs?
Fresh eggs have a firmer texture and richer flavor. Also, the older the egg, the more it absorbs the aromas that surround it (egg shells are porous) so commercial eggs that have been sitting in cardboard cartons, in a smelly storage area, will reflect that. Another thing to know is that most commercial eggs are washed in a hot chlorine bath. Those chemicals and flavors permeate the egg - that's why sometimes eggs taste metallic. The small producer doesn't put their eggs through that. There's a chart on Mother Earth News that documents how pastured eggs have a healthier nutritional profile (just like grass-fed beef does.)

Can you tell the difference between a farm egg and a commercial egg by just looking at the shell? 
The shells look the same. However, if you get eggs from a backyard flock of differing breeds you will notice a variation in the egg size and shell color. Eggs can vary in size from 1 1/2 ounces to almost 3, and from dark brown to blue to white. Supermarket eggs are sorted and the cartons have uniform eggs in them.

How long do you advise people to keep eggs?
Eggs are edible for up to 10 or more weeks, but the best tasting eggs are under a month old. That said, hard-cooked eggs are impossible to peel if they are only a few days old. I "age" my eggs for a week in the fridge before I hard-cook them.

What should people insist on from their supermarket eggs - Cage free?  Organic?  Free range?
"Free range" and "cage free" are slightly better than the standard eggs. These chickens are housed indoors in barns and can walk around. But, they are still severely crowded and in very stressful situations. Organic chickens have slightly more room and are fed better quality feed. The best eggs are from local, "pastured" hens (the term remains unregulated, so know your grower). These are better than organic. If you don't have access to such eggs, get organic, local if possible.

How can you tell a "bad egg?"
From the outside, you can't. When you crack it, the yolk will break and spread, and the white will be very thin. This is the sign of an old egg.

Describe the happiest time you ever spent with a hen.
When the hens go to roost at night they "sing." They make these beautiful soft, chirpy, clucking sounds. I love that moment at dusk.

You told me that your keeping hens isn't overtly spiritual, but that you do feel a connection in which Judaism emphasizes the "here and now."  How do your hens keep you rooted in the here and now?
Animals do that. Their demands and their requirements are in the present moment. Hens are curious, active birds. They notice little things, like sparkly raindrops. Watch your animals and you see what they see.

How much land does someone need to keep chickens?
Very little! One should have a minimum of 3 hens - they are flock animals and need the company of their own kind. Each chicken requires a minimum of 4 square feet per bird. That's it! Of course, the more space the better. But, you can have an urban hennery - keep it clean, give your chickens fresh greens and a dry coop, and they'll be content animals.

Comments

[Holly]

Thanks, John - great question, and you cracked me up in the process of asking it! Stay tuned for a post with some initial thoughts....

Yours in tofu (not!),
H

[John]

Thanks, Holly. Very informative. I've been enjoying your ovireporting series.

Along those lines, we buy Eggland's Best. Aside from the fact that they are packaged in styrofoam boxes (you just can't win!) I feel that we are at least doing better than average by getting our eggs from chickens that don't eat processed cow remains.

It's part of our often subconscious effort to "do better" without going to "extreme" measures.

So here's a question I for you in the form of an experiment: What can the average Joe do (when he's not plumbing or stumping for the Republican party) to make easy changes without resorting to "extreme" measures like joining a farm co-op or swearing off food not grown in his/her own state? In other words, take a typical shopping list and "green it up" without going so far as to claim that tofu with cottage cheese and salsa is a legitimate substitute for chicken parmesan.