Year after year, more people discover that eggs and meat they have raised themselves are tastier and healthier than most of the mass-produced products available in supermarkets. And year after year since 1946, Frey's Hatchery has been supplying small family farmers and hobby flock owners with chicks of the highest quality. In order to ensure consistent quality and a good variety we maintain our own breeding flocks on family farms.

Small family farmers operate in a free market, driven by demand. They are the creators of new ideas and products that are wholesome and healthy, which is what the public wants. Hobby and small-scale family farms are, and must continue to be, a vital part of Ontario's rural communities. We believe that keeping small farms profitable is essential to the health and stability of those communities. We have been continuing our efforts to convince the marketing boards that the quantity of eggs, chicken and turkey produced by small, family farmers and hobbyists poses no threat to the mega factory farms that hold the quota production. The total of all small family farm production is less than one half of 1 percent of the amount produced by corporate mega factory farms.

Many of you have enjoyed the experience of raising some chickens and sharing that with family and friends. This experience helps everyone understand the relationship between the food we eat and our own health, as well as the health of nature itself. We are seeing more and more people raising a few chickens or buying ones already grown to experience this themselves. Frey's Hatchery will continue to provide all the knowledge you need to have a successful flock.

As always, remember that small family farms and hobbyists are looked at with disdain by the mega corporate factory farms and government bureaucracies who support them. To ensure that your concerns and rights to produce food for your family and friends, or simply enjoy having a few chickens around the yard, please write/fax/email concerns to any and all of your political representatives (local, provincial, federal). There are many times more small family farms and hobbyists then there are mega factory farms – and it's important that you are allowed to exist.

Continue to visit our website from time to time for updated news and information about issues concerning the small flock owner.

As always, we remind you to order early. We look forward to serving you this year and for many years to come.