Just like many others, our chicks come to us through the mail from Sunnyside Hatchery. Upon arrival they are taken to our brooder (Doug’s old electrical job trailer) which is kept nice and warm with heat lamps, fresh bedding and access to non-GMO feed for two weeks. Our feed ration contains a mix of soy, wheat, corn and barley. Once the chicks are strong enough to be moved outside, we hook on to the old job trailer and take them out to pasture. Our chicken tractors (pictured below) are open on two ends to allow for fresh air to blow through, but also are equipped with roll down tarps just in case the outside elements aren’t ideal. These chicken tractors are moved twice per day so the chickens can peck and scratch for food – as they were born to do. Just like the other animals on our farm, the chickens are free from antibiotics and hormones. We believe that by mimicking nature as much as possible, the animal is allowed to thrive and maintain optimal health.
The chickens are the final step to our multi-species grazing program. At eight to nine weeks they are ready to be processed. We take the chickens to a local, USDA inspected processor. Our chickens are sold whole as well as by the individual piece. While many people have become accustomed to cooking only boneless, skinless (and sometimes tasteless) chicken breasts from the grocery store, we pride ourselves on teaching and encouraging our customers to use all parts of the bird – right down to boiling the carcass for a nutrient dense broth.
Check our these chicken based recipes:
