Our neighborhood’s favorite Chick-Hons
Origins & Permits
We’ve been raising backyard birds since 2012. All our hens were purchased at the Green Hill Farm poultry swap, Sharpsburg, Maryland. Except for Bitsy, all others are new arrivals as of April ’26.
You can read more about the current flock in this post we made the day they arrived: Hampden Hens Class of ’26.
Our BARCS permit is posted inside the side porch, shown below, and is available for inspection upon request by the relevant authorities; we are USDA registered. Here’s a redacted photo of our permit.
Our 2026 Roster
Short names are in Bold and Underlined:
- Harriet Hendini: black Sumatra, escape artist, lays medium white eggs
- Saranaru Jaakuna Futago: black Sumatra, extra-evil twin, lays a medium off-white egg
- Kekko Kamen Rider: white Breese, lays small cream-colored eggs
- Echiko Hentai: Rhode Island red, lays large tan eggs
- Hen-tickle Prawn: red Ameraucana, lays a large green egg
- Hennessey Black: black Easter-egger, lays large blue-green eggs
- Bitsy: black bantam, flock elder, survivor, lays small tan eggs
Yes, their names may be a little bit corny and lot of cringe, but they’re all quite friendly.
In memory of our previous birds: In 2025, we were hit by a varmint attack and it destroyed our flock. Bitsy was the sole survivor, and was forced to spend a year in recovery, unable to walk. We’re very happy that she can ambulate now.
Some Photos
Fresh Egg Barter
Unfortunately, it is unlawful for us to sell eggs under our current USDA permit, and it would be totally impractical to try and send them in the mail. However, Barter with neighbors and friends is acceptable.
We’re happy to trade eggs for garden veggies, home canning, baked goods – or whatever else you might be inspired to offer.
Our birds aren’t certified organic. They’re cage-free, obviously. We do not put antibiotics in feed or use medication unless a bird needs veterinary attention, which would typically put them off the lay anyhow. Egg sizes vary.
Comparable organic, free-range, or pasture-raised eggs at nearby stores typically run about $7–$11 per dozen, depending on brand and store sales. For barter, we generally think of one dozen of our eggs as worth roughly $8–$10 in trade value. We’re not trying to operate the Baltimore Egg Exchange over here; we just want swaps to feel fair.
Here’s are some suggestions for trading.
To get a full dozen eggs:
- A medium bag or basket of home-grown produce, examples:
- 2 to 3 pounds of tomatoes or bell peppers
- A medium sack of potatoes
- 4 to 6 ears of corn, with a couple extra veggies tossed in
- 3 to 4 pounds of apples, peaches, or pears (not picked from our own trees, thank you)
- Whatever else is coming out of your garden
- Baked goods like:
- A loaf of sourdough or sandwich bread
- A loaf of banana, zucchini, or pumpkin bread
- A fruit pie or small un-fancy cake
- Half-a-dozen decent muffins, blueberry or chocolate chip are nice
- 6 to 12 home made cookies or brownies
- A couple big soft pretzels
- 8oz. jar of jam, jelly, preserves, fruit butter, etc.
- A pint of pickles
- A jar of local honey or honeycomb
If your appetite for eggs is on the lighter side, any of these are worth a half-dozen, or double-up:
- A small basket of hot peppers, fresh or dried
- Fresh homemade tortillas or pasta
- A bundle of fresh garden herbs
- A pint of berries
- Some lettuce and a cucumber or two
- Some heirloom seeds
- Dog treats
- A stack of clean egg cartons
As a matter of policy, we do not trade eggs for labor, odd jobs, alcohol, or anything that needs refrigeration or makes us wonder whether a health inspector just got a tingle.
(That being said, we own a growler if you home-brew and would like to share. As they say, one good turn deserves another.)
Our contact information is provided on the printed sign outside the chicken run.
Buy Our Girls a Treat
Feeding a half dozen chickens costs between $250 and $500 a year depending on how badly we spoil them with treats like BOSS, meal worms, and craw-fish. If you’d like to kick in for the odd bag of Flock Party every now and then, you can donate. [Link pending; check back here.]