Eggs packed and ready for distribution – Photo The Daily Herald
COLOMBIER/PHILIPSBURG–Fresh eggs produced on-island are once again available in major Dutch-side supermarkets. Originating from Soualiga Farm, a family farm in Colombier, St. Martin, the eggs are gathered daily, boxed mostly on the same day and delivered to the stores after a maximum of three days.
Around 750 Rhode Island Reds imported from France as chicks are tended to daily and are free to move around the coop structure, which is half indoors and outdoors. They are freely able to exhibit natural behaviour, such as walking, running, perching and ‘flying,’ – usually not the case for larger scale chicken farming. This partially justifies the higher price tag immediately noticeable on supermarket shelves.
The price is comparable to those of the certified, organic European eggs, which it is placed next to, and stands out, especially when compared to the popular large boxes of eggs from the United States. The supermarkets also set their own mark-up.
Dwayne Hodge, who studied horticulture in Canada and returned home, started the project this year and the eggs started to be sold to supermarkets about a month ago. They are available at Grand Marché, Gourmet Marché, Market Garden and are also used at Top Carrot restaurant.
Hodge tends to the hens daily, cleans the water tanks and only makes sure that they are inside after dark; as the gates are open all day. Many of the hens seen on a farm visit by The Daily Herald, were seen perched both in- and outdoors, especially on trees in the middle of the grounds, running and flying several feet.
The hens are not given antibiotics, although Hodge has not yet had to deal with sick birds. He said he would rather separate them from the flock than use antibiotics as a preventative measure; its overuse being another common concern of large-scale farming.
The hens, which are about six months old, peck outdoors at common grass and weeds which grow there naturally and are given feed from Guadeloupe – the French Government prefers this, ¬which is around double the price of typical American feed. The US agriculture industry also receive government subsidy further contributing to a difference in price in eggs seen at the supermarket.
Hodge’s family also provided eggs to supermarkets until a few years ago and has been cultivating eggs since the 60’s. When asked by this newspaper if local suppliers could cater to high demands of bigger clients such as hotels or restaurants, Dwayne’s father Dean Hodge said that in the 70’s the island had more laying hens than inhabitants and that supplying such clients was common practice.
He added that if more hotels were interested the island would be able to cater much more in terms of egg production. Also, in response to the question of higher prices to the consumer, Dean pointed out that on some islands such as Guadeloupe and Saba, local production is protected by imports of the same product being limited for parts of the year.
The family is also raising pigs and goats which they hope to sell to a slaughter house on the French side due to open soon. They also grow a variety of fruit and vegetables including pumpkin, star apples and mangoes. However, the garden was badly affected by Hurricane Gonzalo in mid-October, setting the family back for fruit and vegetable production.
The farm is also in the process of setting up a hydroponic system for a variety of lettuce. – The Daily Herald
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