Aaron’s 6-year-old son enjoys walking through the hen house and picking up floor eggs, while his teenage girls enjoy inspecting and packing the eggs for transport. Their day begins at 6:30am and ends at dusk, during which time the chickens are feeding, laying, roaming the pasture, scratching and dust-bathing. Aaron believes that a content bird has more of an opportunity to enjoy regular chicken activities in a pasture-raised atmosphere. Aaron prides himself on the family run farm he has created for himself, his wife and his children. He has a great sense of trust in the Sauder’s Family to perform exceptionally at marketing his farm eggs, and he knows the effort he puts into the process at the farm is not lost on the team that cleans, packs and delivers the final product to you!
These chickens are considered pasture-raised. This means that instead of being fed what would probably be a corn-based diet in a cage or cage-free environment, pasture-raised hens enjoy the outdoors as they feed on natural grass, seeds, and insects. In general, pasture-raised eggs are laid by chickens that enjoy an outdoor lifestyle that’s cleaner and less stressful than alternative environments. These hens enjoy plenty of fresh air and exposure to the sun.
This farm participates in the NPIP program (National Poultry Improvement Plan), which is a national program in collaboration with state and federal departments of agriculture and industry representatives. The main objective is to use new diagnostic technology to effectively improve poultry and poultry products throughout the U.S. NPIP provides certification that poultry and poultry products destined for insterstate and international shipments are disease free.
This farm is part of the Pennsylvania Egg Quality Assurance Program (PEQAP), which institutes steps to reduce the risk of Salmonalla Enteritidis (SE) with an effective flock testing and management program.
This farm meets the quidelines established by the United Egg Producers (UEP), placing top priority on the comfort, health, and safety of the chickens.
This laying hen farm meets the standards for the Humane Farm Animal Care Program, which ensures that the hens on their farm are provided with a nutritious diet without antibiotics or hormones, and are raised with shelter, resting areas, sufficient space, and the ability to engage in natural behaviors.
