InterGenerate Launches Heritage Egg Co-op at John Jay Homestead

Via Intergenerate and the John Jay Homestead

For anyone who is interested in raising chickens but not ready to take the plunge, here's the perfect opportunity to learn the basics of backyard poultry farming, enjoy lots of fresh eggs, and support breed diversity: you can join the new InterGenerate new Heritage Egg Co-op at John Jay Homestead.

With the help of experience farmers you'll raise the chickens and share the harvest.  All members will be expected to attend the "Chicken Keeping Basics" workshop and take part in the weekly care and egg harvests.  Responsibilities will be shared by all members and will include visiting the chicks daily to feed and water them—as well as cleaning & moving the coop weekly.  However, since there will be 25 families working cooperatively the time commitment amounts to less than 1/2 hour per family each week.

The baby chicks arrived in mid-February and are receiving expert care until they’re ready for the great outdoors. By April, the birds will be ready to move into their new coop, innovatively designed by Peter Zander of Front Yard Coop. 

This revolutionary coop, to be unveiled through InterGenerate’s Heritage Egg Co-op program at John Jay Homestead, is the first prototype of a commercial size yet lightweight mobile coop capable of holding over 50 birds.  Within the safety of a portable solar-charged electric fence, these rare birds will roam historic pastures all day, eating bugs and fertilizing soil along the way.

John Jay Homestead is the perfect site for a Heritage Egg Co-op.  In 1787, our First Chief Justice, John Jay, created a commercial farm on this property, originally 600+ acres.  The last generations of Jays to own 'Bedford Farm' from 1915-1953, produced food here for the New York City and local food market, with eggs being their top seller.  The current site offers 62 acres, foundations of the original coops and plenty of fertile soil.  

InterGenerate is committed to promoting healthy farm practices and breed diversity.  As a result we will only be raising heritage breeds, specifically the Silver Laced Wyandotte. The Wyandotte is an American breed developed in New York State in the early 1870s. 

Online registration is now open at: www.intergenerateny.org

Three types of membership are available:

1. Combo Membership: $300/family – priority membership to both the Heritage Egg  Co-op and Garden Co-op
2. Golden Egg Membership: $500/family - priority membership to both the Heritage Egg Co-op and Garden Co-op, a two week pass from farm chores, & the privilege of naming a nest
3. Standard Membership: $200/family - membership to Heritage Egg Co-op

Applicants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis with priority given to those registering for Combo and Golden Egg memberships. 

             Registration is limited to 25 Egg Co-op members!

Heritage Egg Co-op memberships include admission to all Backyard Poultry Farming workshops as well as membership to InterGenerate & an invitation to attend all InterGenerate sponsored events and activities at the member rate.

Backyard Poultry Farming Workshops 2011:

Chicken Keeping Basics (required for all Egg Co-op Members)

Fun with Chickens! A workshop for kids of all ages

Chickens in the Garden

Intermediate Level: Keeping your Chickens Healthy and Happy

Winterizing the Coop

The Heritage Egg Co-op Project has been made possible through a generous donation from local philanthropist, Bonnie Trotta, and several Golden Egg Donors.