Edible Sacramento Summer 2022

Q uail breeder Linda Easton of Gully Rumpus Farm in North Highlands and her partner, chicken expert Wendee Miller of Featherbaby Farm in Shingle Springs, have hatched a great idea for an interesting, education al activity for families. The duo’s new Hatching at Home program is a fun and innovative way for people of all ages to play mother hen. Bothwomen have backgrounds in ear ly childhood education and know how egg incubation — and baby chicks — fascinate children. Easton’s itty-bitty quail eggs are a beautiful turquoise blue, but Miller also offers colorful eggs from nine different specialty chicken breeds. “The quail grow so fast!” Easton says, while holding a chick. “This little guy is only four days old and already has its first wing feathers.” Designed originally for the classroom, the four-week program allows partici pants to incubate eggs and watch them hatch. A dozen Japanese quail eggs or sev en chicken eggs fit into the domed incuba tor, which is about the size of an inverted salad bowl. With many parents schooling their children during the pandemic, the Hatch ing at Home program proved to work well in the home setting, too. It’s also a good summer activity for farm-curious kids. “It’s very simple,”Eastonexplains. “The incubator is automatic; you just turn it on.” The rental kit costs $200 and includes fertilized eggs; a digital incubator; an egg candle to see the developing chick inside the shell; an easy-clean brooder box with bedding to house the baby chicks; a heat ing plate to keep them warm; a waterer, feeder, and food; and a hatching guide. The guide includes step-by-step photos and a how-to video. Home hatching is not just egg watch ing; there are tasks to do before the chicks appear, such as taking a peek at what’s go ing on inside the shell. “The egg candle is like a little flash light to see the developing chick,” Easton

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says. “It’s a really cool experience.” The chicks hatch in about three weeks, Easton says. “After they hatch, you watch the chicks grow for about a week, then bring them back to the farm. Or you can keep them if you like,” she says. If you’re interested in renting a kit, you can pick one up, along with the eggs, at GullyRumpus Farm or Featherbaby Farm by appointment. Emai l any questions about the prog r am to Ea s ton at L i nda@ hatchingathome.com. Miller can answer questions about current chicken breeds available from her flock; email Wendee@ hatchingathome.com. “After they hatch, you watch the chicks grow for about a week, then bring them back to the farm. Or you can keep them if you like.”

• Family & womxn-owned • Temple Co ee & Kalani Kakes • Indoor/outdoor dining • Open for private reservations • Camping-themed kids’ play area • Weekly events

9257 Laguna Springs Dr. Ste 130, Elk Grove (916) 538-3482 aseatatthetablebooks.org @aseatatthetablebooks

For details, visit Hatchingathome.com.

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