Catalpa Farm raises Animal Welfare Approved laying hens in the heartland of Indiana. Farmers Jerry and Soni Fitch have raised Delaware chickens since 2006, and have been steadily improving the breed since then. “Our ultimate goal is to have a really good flock of Delawares,” says Soni, “so that we can supply stock to other farmers.”

A grant awarded through the Animal Welfare Approved Good Husbandry Grants program has funded the purchase of an incubator so that the Fitches can hatch chicks from their own breeding. The benefits of this are two-fold: chicks will not have to be shipped through the mail, and as the Delaware is a dual-purpose breed the male chicks can be raised for meat. In addition, by breeding the best birds from each generation the Fitches will be constantly improving their flock.

On her customers’ response to her eggs Soni says, “It has been 100% positive.” She believes that the way the hens are raised has an impact on their quality. “We know the eggs are richer tasting, and higher in beta carotene and calcium. I have to believe its because the chickens are healthier birds to begin with, and lay better eggs.”