SANDWICH, Mass. — While many businesses are suffering from the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic across the world, one farm in the Cape is struggling to keep up with the demand.
Fluffy Butt Farm in Sandwich, named after a breed of chicken, raises chickens that produce eggs typically sold at farmer’s markets. Since those have been closed as coronavirus concerns grow, customers have been calling the farm directly hoping to get their hands on their fresh organic eggs.
On a normal week, the family-run farm receives about 10 to 20 calls - now, they’ve fielded more than 100 calls in the past five days.
With chickens producing 100 eggs per day, the farm has been keeping a running waiting list and trying to prioritize their older customers.
“They want to know, ‘Can I get on the list? and if I can’t get on the list how long will it be and do you have something different or do you know someone else?' it’s ridiculous, just ridiculous trying to keep up with it all,” said Katie Richardson, who runs the farm. “I’d say we have at least 10 times as many inquires as we normally do.”
Richardson says the chickens cannot produce enough eggs fast enough to meet their high demand. Luckily, they have been able to feed the chickens during the pandemic.
The farm has about 100 chickens, plus several turkeys, ducks and quails. According to Richardson, each chicken typically lays one egg per day, but those 100 eggs are being sold before they’re even laid. Some customers even offered to buy up every single egg for double the price.
Besides prioritizing older customers in need, the farm has even been delivering eggs to their doorsteps so they don’t have to leave their homes.
“There have people we have put at the top of the list that we’re trying to get food to before we’re putting them in a situation where they have to get out, or maybe don’t get anything at all,” said Richardson.
Richardson says it’s nice to thrive during such difficult times, but that it’s a bittersweet feeling as many are suffering financially.
“Now the business has actually turned into a need, so it’s nice to feel like you’re actually providing something that people really need in a time of need,” said Richardson.
To help entertain the kids and bored adults at home, the farm has even started live streaming quail chick hatchings on their Facebook page.