The eggs from Weide Ei (which translates to “pasture egg”) are not just free-range: on farmer Habel’s land in Falkenhagen, Brandenburg, you will find some of the happiest hens around. The reason is Habel’s self-developed mobile coop, which allows him to move his birds regularly so they have constant access to new grass. The farm’s motto is “For the love of the chicken” and means that the farming methods used go way beyond those used on typical free range, organic farms. In the industry male chicks are considered surplus to requirements and typically slaughtered, but at Falkenhagen they are raised to become adults. As for the hens, they are retained for another 3-4 years after their 12-month laying period so they too get a fuller life. If these are the kind of principles you want to support, you can become part of the Weide Ei community by sponsoring your own chicken. The scheme gives you the right to 144 eggs over 12 months as well as your very own hen which you can name and even visit on a guided tour of the farm.
If 144 eggs is a bit too much for you, you can of course start small by picking a half-dozen at one of several Berlin markets (see below) or at Blomeyer’s Käse, m|a Feinekost and online from Archipel. Farmer Habel likes to experiment with the feed his brood is given, with the likes of black cumin added for a particularly intense flavor. With all this care and attention, you can eat (and hunt) your eggs this spring season with a perfectly clear conscience. On that note: have a very Happy Easter if you celebrate it and a wonderful long weekend if you don’t!
Text: Annika Hillig / Photos: Weide Ei & Olya Kobruseva
For updates on where you can buy Weide Ei eggs check out their Instagram. You can buy the eggs at the following markets:
Tue at Maybachufer 11–18h & Wittenbergplatz 8–14h; Wed on Karl-August-Platz 8–13h; Thu at Akazienstraße (Bio-Bauernmarkt) 12–18h, Preußenallee 8–13h, Rüdesheimer Platz 8–13h, Maybachufer 11–18h30; Sat on Karl-August-Platz8–14h, Weberplatz (Babelsberg-Potsdam) 8–13h, Boxhagener Platz 9–15h30, Mexikoplatz 9–15h and Südstern 10–16h
@weideei
