Henry The Rooster, with some of his happy hens.
I have a secret that I would like to share with all the lovely readers and supporters of this blog.
I have discovered the most amazing eggs in Cape Town. They are called, very appropriately,Happy Eggs . These little golden wonder orbs are laid every day by very happy chickens, clucking their way around a paddock in Sweet Valley, Constantia.
That really is the name of the valley.
These eggs taste simply delicious, and why wouldn’t they? When you see where the hens live and how they scratch and peck around their grassy field all day you can understand why their eggs would have to taste amazing. And they do. Take my word for that.
Ingrid Regnass has been raising and tending to her chickens for the last four years.
A hen doing what a hen should do, scratching and pecking.
She has sixty chickens in total and two big roosters one called Henry, and other, Chicken Licken’.
They don’t like each other, in fact, they are enemies.
In the meantime, the hens get on with laying their eggs, usually at around 10am each morning. Their home is a really lovely wooden shed. Fresh sawdust is put down daily.
The hens sleep at night in their little box sections and funnily enough, all lay their eggs in one or two of the cubicles only. Being the nurturing types that hens are, they tend to go to lay the eggs in pairs, clucking advice and encouragement to each other as they produce their goods.
I could move in myself and feel happy. Between 30 and 40 eggs are produced every day.
Ingrid’s husband, Mickey, built the hen’s wooden home.
The henhouse, with laying rooms below.
So why does Ingrid do this? “It’s a way of getting back to nature. It’s a way of making a difference.
Some days when I’m cleaning out the pooh I wonder, is it worth it?”
I interject, “It’s so worth it, you’ve made a big difference to me, I’m getting to eat your amazing eggs’ Ingrid smiles ”That makes me so happy, you see it is worth it”.
She continues, “Look, I don’t make a profit, it’s not about making money for me”.
In fact, Ingrid thinks everyone should have a few chickens in their back garden.
When Ingrid is not looking after her chickens she is dealing with clients who come to her because she a therapist of some renown, helping people to get balance back into their lives.
But it’s not all harmony on the farm, there are predators, who would snatch a hen in a split second.
Mongoose are a problem, and caracals, or rooicats, come down off the mountain to see if a free lunch is available. A large net covers the run to protect the hens from Sparrowhawks, which swoop out of the sky.
I ask can I pet one of the hens. Ingrid picks up one and I stroke its downy feathers.
Ingrid with one of the Happy Hens.
Do you know how good it feels to soft boil one of these eggs and crack it open to see the gooey gold contents spill over the cracked shell?
They taste richer and better than the regular supermarket bought eggs. The yolk is large and yellow, and the eggs are all slightly irregular. Some are smaller, some are more pointy, just as nature intended.
So come on Clare where do I get these eggs ? Ok, this is the tricky bit. The best place to buy is from Ingrid herself.
You can drive to her place and buy them. Ingrid’s contact number is 082 925 0076.
The Organic Shop in Constantia Shopping Centre sells them also.
Posted in 
Hi Clare
Great article. Thanks for the visit yesterday. I just loved your enthusiasm for my chickens and their happy eggs. They enjoyed the attenton so much they laid extra eggs today. After you left I immediately checked your site out, and discovered the free range chickens from Stellenbosch. I had a great chat to Marcelle and now will be ordering free range chickens from her. So thank you – you too have made a difference to my life.
Ingrid,
Thank you so much. It was such a pleasure meeting you and seeing your hens and the two roosters. I am so happy to know that the eggs I eat are produced in this happy place called Sweet Valley. We need more food producers like you, who are completely devoted to the welfare of the animals and not motivated solely by profit. Bless You.
Hi Ingrid!
Do you have an email address? Would love to order some of your chicken’s eggs!
All my best,
Deon
(deon@hlokomelwa.co.za)
Hi Deon
You can give me a call on my cell phone and place an order. 082 925 0076.
Warm regards
Ingrid
I am sold! Just a query – Ingrid, do you have a minimum order size? I would only be looking to buy about 12 at a time (unless I am planning a big baking weekend, whereas then I’d obviously need a few more!)
Thanks Ingrid! Speak to you soon.
Hi Linda
12 at a time is fine. If you need more for baking just give me a couple of days notice and i will keep them aside for you.
hi guys will you please advise on pricing on your eggs aswell as size i’m looking to buy wholesale for re sale
thanks
riyaad
Please give me the address so i can come and buy
Rob, call her on 082 925 0076 and she’ll give you directions to her farm in Constantia.
Hi Ingrid
I grew up in Durban, on a large property, with every type of fowl you can amagine. i know have a guest house in Cape town /green point.
i would love to buy some eggs from you and treat all my international guest with organicallly free range eggs[real ones]
i try my best to keep all my breakfast items as organic as possible.
could i have directions to your small holding, and when would be the best time for me to come out.
i use about 12-15 doz a week,depending on the guest.
would i be able to set up a regular supply and at what cost
thank you bradley
Bradley, You need to call Ingrid on 082 925 0076 to arrange to call and collect some eggs.
Hi Ingrid
We are planning to have a couple of backyard chickens but I am struggling to find out where to get some hens from? Can you advise me?
Many thanks
Hi,
I have been inspired by the article to keep my own chickens. We live in stellenbosch. The only thing I’m struggling to find is where to buy chicken food?? Any suggestions???
Mary
Call up Spier, as they do free range chickens, pretty good ones too. I am sure they can assist. From my experience chickens are happiest just rooting in the dirt, eating seeds, grubs etc. However they will need a feed suppliment.