REAL free-range chickens/eggs?

[RonaldDickson]

Is there a place in/around vancouver to buy REAL free-range chickens and/or eggs. I know that when it says "free range" on packages all that means is that chickens have "access to a pasture." Which in practice means that the chickens are farmed indoors in the dark as per conventional methods, but once during their lifetime the farmer opens a little doggie door for about five seconds therefore satisfying this very loose definition of, "access to pasture."

Is there a way to get real (not grossly genetically engineered, beak stuck in a feed tray 23 hours a day) chicken in/around vancouver? Eggs as well?

[rasputin45]

I get free range organic eggs delivered to a depot near my house through NOWBC (www.nowbc.ca) They are from Reid farms in Chiliwack.

[Lilianne]

We have free range chickens, 4 1/5 acre pasture for them. I just posted an ad on Craigslist and we live in Abbotsford. Our eggs are only $3 a dozen.

[Khai]

Are you North Valley Farms?

[Lilianne]

No, we just have a small hobby farm with about 60 chickens and live just outside of Abbotssford.

[traiann]

are u selling the birds too or just eggs?

[Lilianne]

No birds, just eggs.

[toutefrite]

what do you feed your chickens?

[Lilianne]

Our chickens have freedom all hours of day or night. Their door is never closed and they have access to 4 acres of grassland to roam. We also supplement their food with greens from fruit and vegetable stores and then they also get "Hen Scratch" and "Layer Pellets"

[chiachi2005]

What is your address and contact information? I would love to drop by and pick up some eggs next time I'm out in the Abbottsford area.

[cucinelle]

On #6 rd in Richmond there is a family that sells free range organic eggs from their house. They also sell the birds. You can see them running around. Excellent local producers that have been around for a long time.
Take Knight st bridge to West Minster Hwy turn left then a quick right at #6 rd about 1/2 km on your right hand side you will see a white sign with red letters.
Fresh Eggs free range, organic.
About $5 a doz for large although there is s,m,l,exl and double yolkers at times. The birds are excellent as well. If you have saved egg cartons bring them with you as all are recycled.

[traiann]

cucinelle, can you provide an address, phone number or a google maps location, pls? I was not able to find the location you're mentioning.

I've tried somewhere close to this location http://maps.google.com/maps?q=8683+10...

[xzenaidax]

6651 no 6 rd :) i was just there!

[oiboy]

Thanks! Anyone know what hours they are open/there?

[traiann]

i think i've been there. they do sell eggs but not the birds... hmmm

[fmed]

I hope the formatting turns out OK:

Abbotsford
Biota Farms Certified organic by Bio-dynamic 776 Townline Rd Abbotsford BC V2T 6C9 604-859-5959 [e-mail]
Bradner Farms Free-range 28670 58th Avenue Abbotsford BC V4X 2E8 604-856-1227
Glen Valley Organic Farm Certified organic by BCARA Abbotsford BC 604-857-0017 [e-mail]
Rockweld Farm Certified organic and SPCA certified 34205 Townshipline Rd Abbotsford BC 604-859-1199 [e-mail]

Aldergrove
Glorious Organics Co-op Certified by BCARA 1374 256 St Aldergrove BC V4W 2J4 604-857-1400 [e-mail]

Chilliwack
Forstbauer Farms Biodynamic and organic methods 49350 Prairie Central Rd Chilliwack BC V2P 6H3 604-794-3999 [e-mail]
HDB Farm Certified organic by FVOPA 42180 Sumas Rd Chilliwack BC V2R 4W3 604-832-6584 [e-mail]
Rehoboth Farm Free-range and SPCA certified 41410 Yarrow Central Rd Chilliwack BC V2R 5G5 604-823-5434 [e-mail]

Powell River
Hatch a Bird Certified organic 6603 Mcahon Ave Powell River BC V8A 4W2 604-483-9546 [e-mail]
Windfall Farm Certified organic by PACS 5750 taku St. Powell River BC V8A 4V9 604-483-3061 [e-mail]

Richmond
Rabbit River Farms Free run/ range, certified organic and SPCA certified 18360 River Road Richmond BC V6V 1M1 778-668-8848 [e-mail] or [e-mail]

[islandgirl]

Rabbit River Farms on sale this week at Save-on-Foods for 4.99 a dozen

[betterthanbourdain]

got RRF for $3.99 at a grocery store in Richmond

[Khai]

Wow! Which store? And what's their regular (non-sale) price?

[selena03]

Urban Fare has a coupon in their flyer: if you spend over $30 you can purchase a dozen RRF for $2.99. If you go, call before to make sure they have some in stock as they sell RRF eggs (when on sale) quite quickly....

[RonaldDickson]

Wow that is an excellent list

[erinq]

I buy my very well-bred and cared for chickens from Tannadice farms on Vancouver Island. If you're not willing to make the trip yourself, contact me if you like. Check out their website:
www.tannadicefarms.com
happy hunting!!!

[KGill]

I don't know where you live, but I buy my eggs from a lady on Number Two Road in Richmond. I see the chickens wandering around her yard - that's free-range enough for me! I'd love to find farm-raised chicken - I used to get mine from Dee in Richmond, but they've moved and their chicken operation is no more.

[fmed]

For eggs, one more place to check is Craigslist
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/sea...

[evec]

Try Cowichan Bay Farm http://www.cowichanbayfarm.com/Philos...
The best chicken I've had on the Island...

[NoMoreSnuggles]

Outside of farmer's markets, Rabbit River eggs are reasonably widely available (i've definitely seen them at Capers, Choices, Famous Foods). They are SPCA certified, which i think would fit your bill.

[RonaldDickson]

Yes! Exactly what I was looking for thanks!

[pear tart]

We buy Rabbit River eggs too. They're relatively expensive, but worth it IMO, and available at our local Save On.

[Khai]

Bradner Farms eggs supplies Rabbit River and are usually less expensive. They're SPCA certified as well. They aren't "pasture raised", but it seems it's pretty tough to get everything - pastured, organic, and readily available in the city. :p I get mine from Choices for ~$5.60/doz (about a buck less than the Rabbit River eggs) Given the amount of eggs I consume, it's important to me that they're of exceptional quality.

http://www.spca.bc.ca/welfare/farm-an...

[Georgia Strait]

the spca of bc has been working for several years to enhance the life and death of farm animals - ie what we put in our bodies

they have a good website (link above in prev post)

if you have not looked at the stories and the "retail locations" ... it makes interesting reading and future dinner party conversation, for sure. Nothing like being next-hand to what we eat.

[fmed]

For chicken, look for the Polderside brand (Bosa, Famous Foods, Columbus Meat...etc). For eggs, check out the Vancouver Farmers Markets and also farm stands out in the Valley. You might want to check out a place like Famous Foods as well. A fair number of family-run places in Cowichan/Saanich and Salt Spring Island sell free range eggs...I don't know of a source for those here.

(I usually buy the Maple Hill brand which I believe is free range in the way you describe).

[Fryston]

Polderside does not have free range, all their chcickens are inside which is quite clearly stated on their web site.

[fmed]

I stand corrected. (I posted a more updated list of suppliers downthread http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/6901... )