Mine glean quite a bit out there, even in the winter. If we have deep snows they will find whatever is sheltering green grass from the snow and graze that green. If there isn't any snow, they are constantly scratching~and finding or they wouldn't bend down to eat it so vigorously~things to eat. If I lived where the soils froze solid all winter it might be a different story, but my birds range all winter and work diligently at it....grass seeds fall and can be found then, pine nut seeds finally turn loose of the cone, bugs hibernating under the leaf layer, various grubs hibernating under the garden soils they can excavate, etc. Consequently, even though depending a lot on supplemental feeding, their yolks remain dark orange all winter long and they get fresh food, exercise and clean soils on which to spread their poop and not having to walk in it again. Lot of benefits to free range in winter if you don't live in the cold, dark and far north states.
Here's a little funny for all who sell their eggs...
My gosh, this is too funny. The ignorance is astonishing.
Funny story, my grandfather loved brown eggs. He got them from a local farmer, and swore they tasted better than store bought (obviously). My grandmother detested the brown eggs, and refused to eat them. She thought they tasted funny, and actually liked the store bought "white eggs" better! The nerve!
