Tikkun Homestead

Winter arrived a bit late this year, and the flock has officially decided it's their time to retire. Egg numbers and quality dropped fast over the past few weeks, and instead of pretending otherwise, we’re taking the hint and using the season to rebuild and upgrade.

We’re pressing pause on egg sales while we prepare for a new flock of tougher, longer-lived heritage breeds. We’ll also be setting up to breed our own hens, reach a few new markets, and add some new products. This break gives us the chance to improve our setup, expand the operation, and make sure the eggs and products we bring back are even better than before.

Thank you all for the support so far. The chickens and the eggs may be taking the winter off, but Tikkun Homestead is gearing up for growth!

And yes—this means more updates and more posting coming soon...

Most people don’t expect eggs to come with lab results. Ours do.

After a year and a half of refining our feeding strategy, we sent our eggs in for full nutritional testing. The results confirmed what we’d been seeing all along — these eggs are in a different category.

Each egg has 60% of your daily Vitamin B12, nearly 200mg of choline (that’s 35% of your daily value), and more folate, Vitamin E, and Vitamin D3 than the average store-bought egg. They’re also packing over 3 grams of healthy unsaturated fats per egg — with balanced Omega 3, 6, and 9s — and about 10 times more Vitamin K2 than conventional eggs. Add in 7 grams of complete protein, and you’re looking at a food that hits harder than it has any right to.

None of this happened by accident. Every single number came from intentional feeding — a mix of whole foods, herbs, ferments, oils, and observation. We didn’t build this system to chase lab results, but that’s where it led.

If you want to see the full breakdown and why we built this the way we did, the new page is up now:

https://tikkunhomestead.com/why-our-eggs/

Why Tikkun Homestead Eggs Are Nutritionally Enhanced Lab-tested and naturally enhanced, Tikkun Homestead eggs contain up to 3x more B12, 10x more Vitamin K2, and nearly 200mg of choline per egg — all thanks to our custom feed program. See what makes these eggs truly different.

Big news!

Since the last update, I sent our eggs off for full nutritional testing — the real-deal, lab-certified analysis. The results just came back… and let’s just say that those eggs are nutritional power houses.

The numbers confirm what we've been working toward: these eggs aren’t just fresh and local — they’re built differently. Very high in choline, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin D, Vitamin K and much more. A powerful balance of healthy Omega fats. This isn't marketing fluff — it's now science-backed.

More to come soon, including a new look and deeper dive into what makes Tikkun Homestead eggs different and how we achieve these results. Stay tuned, and until next time, enjoy a few (very) nutritionally enhanced eggs!

Off to translate more results.

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Spring is a game changer for the flock.
The pasture’s waking up, bugs are back on the menu, and the hens are out grazing from sunup to sundown. But here’s something you might not have known:

Those bright yellow dandelions?

They’re packed with Xanthophylls and Luteins — natural pigments that boost the color and nutrient density of egg yolks. Same goes for the greens, alfalfa, and even certain bugs they’re picking through.

So if your yolks are suddenly darker, richer, and more vibrant this time of year… it’s not your imagination. That’s seasonal nutrition at work.

Here at Tikkun Homestead, we're also quietly fine-tuning their feed with fermented grains and healthy oils, but nature always leads the way.

Same hens. Same land. Just tuned into what spring offers. Drop a like 👍if you've noticed any differences lately, or if you think spring eggs hit differently

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Spring is finally here — and things are changing.

The grass is growing. The compost is waking up. The garden is being prepared. And the hens are feasting.

It’s the busiest time of the year — and honestly, my favorite.
But this spring, the biggest shift is in the feed.

We’ve been refining the feeding strategy for the hens with a mix of real fats and functional herbs — and it’s about to hit the eggs directly.

Coming soon: Nutritionally enhanced eggs from Tikkun Homestead!

Same birds. Same grit. Same honest eggs.
But we’re turning the dial.

(Behind-the-scenes look dropping soon on the website + YouTube.)

Send a message to learn more

How Do Chicks Survive the Mail?

If you’re getting baby chicks from a hatchery this spring, they’ll likely arrive by mail—and yes, they’ll be okay.

Chicks absorb the yolk right before hatching, which gives them all the nutrients they need to survive up to 72 hours without food or water. That’s how hatcheries are able to safely ship them nationwide.

Still, once they arrive, they’ll need warmth, water, and chick starter right away to thrive. So have your brooder ready before you get that "your chicks are out for delivery" notice.

Have you ever ordered chicks by mail? Tell us how it went—or what breeds you’re adding this spring!

Why Do Chickens Lay Different Colored Eggs?

Ever wondered why eggs come in different colors? It all comes down to genetics and chemistry.

White eggs are the natural base color of eggshells and contain no additional pigments.
Brown eggs get their color from protoporphyrin, a pigment derived from hemoglobin, which is added in the final stages of shell formation.
Blue eggs are colored by oocyanin, a pigment derived from bile. Unlike brown pigment, oocyanin penetrates the entire shell, making it blue inside and out.
Speckled eggs happen when pigment is applied unevenly, often due to genetics, diet, or where a hen is in her laying cycle.

But here’s the truth: Egg color has no impact on taste or nutrition. What really matters is a hen’s diet, health, and environment. That’s why at Tikkun Homestead, we focus on high-quality, nutrient-rich feed to produce strong, healthy eggs.

If you're thinking about starting a flock or just want to choose the best layers for your setup, check out these helpful guides:

Choosing the Best Layers for Your Flock – A deep dive into the best breeds for egg production, temperament, and homestead conditions: https://tikkunhomestead.com/choosing-the-best-layers-for-your-flock/

Anytime is the Perfect Time to Start Raising Chickens – Why there’s no bad time to get started and what you need to know before jumping in: https://tikkunhomestead.com/anytime-is-the-perfect-time-to-start-raising-chickens/

What color eggs does your flock lay? Or if you’re just getting started, which breeds interest you most? Drop your thoughts below!

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Eggshells: Nature’s Tiny Powerhouses!

Did you know that eggshells are packed with calcium carbonate, a vital mineral for healthy plant growth? When crushed and added to soil or compost, eggshells slowly release calcium, helping prevent issues like blossom-end rot in tomatoes and boosting overall soil health. While not a quick source of calcium like gypsum, eggshells act as a long-term amendment, gradually enriching the soil over time. Bonus: Crushed eggshells can also improve soil structure by helping to aerate and loosen compacted soil, making it easier for roots to grow.

Here at Tikkun Homestead, nothing goes to waste—even eggshells find a purpose in the garden or as part of our sustainability practices.

Have you used eggshells in your garden or compost? Share your tips and tricks below!