Is there a difference between duck and chicken eggs? Can't eat chicken eggs?
Because our ducks and chickens are fed the same feed and free range on the same farm, they taste exactly the same. The difference between the two is the overall size, texture of the white (duck egg white is thicker than a chicken egg), yolk size is different with duck egg yolk much larger, and the enzymes.
Many people that think they can't eat eggs have only had chicken eggs and don't realize that it is the chicken egg enzyme that is bothering them. When they try duck eggs, they find that they don't have any issues at all because the duck egg enzyme is easier for them to digest. Many of our customers are in this situation and thrilled to once again be able to eat eggs!
Why have we installed a gate and fence?
We love to interact with you, our customers, and will continue to do so whenever possible, but we had to implement a higher degree of biosecurity. We, here at Maple Bay Farm, don't keep our ducks in barns, so we had to install the fence and move the egg fridge further from the barns to give them room to roam and to keep them healthy and safe. We know that all of you want the same for them and thank you for adjusting so well to the revised set-up.
What is the difference between free-run and free-range?
Free-run means that the birds aren't kept in cages; however, it also means that they are a lot of birds kept in a barn. Some may be allowed outside, but most are not. For mass production purposes, this is understandable and one of the reasons we haven't grown to a massive size.
Free-range means that the birds are allowed outside to do what birds do. This is how our birds are kept and despite the mess that ducks make, we wouldn't have it any other way. This method is also one of the reasons why our eggs taste so good because the birds are eating what nature intended and it all impacts on the flavour as much as their quality of life.
Why does egg availability fluctuate?
Factors such as molting, seasonal changes because we allow them to roam vs. keeping them in a climate controlled barn, and the incredible increase in feed costs requiring that we reduce our duck flock size, have all had an impact on production levels. We appreciate that it can be frustrating when eggs aren't available and is why we have moved to offering them on specific days. Thank you so much for your ongoing support!