Broiler Hens:
**Our next batch of chickens will be available for purchase mid-May, 2015. Email to reserve**
These birds grow at such a rapid rate, we almost consider them visitors to the farm. Depending on their activity level, the roosters will be ready to butcher 7-8 weeks after they hatch with the hens following one week behind. Unfortunately, we learned many lessons about raising broiler chickens at the expense of the animals. We tried free range...dogs got them. We tried some portable mobile cages we pulled from spot to spot in the pasture.....fox dug under the cage and we lost most of them. We are committed to feeding our family with our own food, so we weren’t going to give up.
Our last batch arrived in August. Assuming we would lose a high percentage like we did before, we ordered 200 chicks. We decided to put them near the action down by the barn and house. BINGO!!! When butcher day came 9 weeks later, we had 184 chickens at an average of about 6 pounds!!! THAT’S A LOT OF CHICKEN!!!!
After calculating the cost of the chick, the butchering, the feed and $2 profit, each bird was sold for $11.50, which averages about $2 per pound.
These are amazing birds to raise. We leave lights on outside because they gain weight more efficiently when they aren’t in the dark.
Our Hens are NOT:
1. vaccinated
2. treated with antibiotics
3. injected with sodium solutions
4. supplemented with arsenic (do the research!!!)
5. supplemented with hormones
Our Hens ARE:
1. very docile birds who are carried by toddlers on a daily basis
2. fed wholesome blend of organic/non-GMO feed twice a day
3. free to roam (within reason) to scratch & dig for bugs
4. treated with respect for their contribution to our family and business
5. very lean, tasty additions to your table
It seems to us like a no-brainer that animals raised on pasture would be healthier than animals raised in confinement. It’s more ethical, it’s a lot better for you and it’s worth the sacrifice. Unfortunately, it’s not cheap to feed animals this way, but doing the right thing usually comes at a cost.
These are amazing birds to raise. We leave lights on outside because they gain weight more efficiently when they aren’t in the dark.
Our Hens are NOT:
1. vaccinated
2. treated with antibiotics
3. injected with sodium solutions
4. supplemented with arsenic (do the research!!!)
5. supplemented with hormones
Our Hens ARE:
1. very docile birds who are carried by toddlers on a daily basis
2. fed wholesome blend of organic/non-GMO feed twice a day
3. free to roam (within reason) to scratch & dig for bugs
4. treated with respect for their contribution to our family and business
5. very lean, tasty additions to your table
It seems to us like a no-brainer that animals raised on pasture would be healthier than animals raised in confinement. It’s more ethical, it’s a lot better for you and it’s worth the sacrifice. Unfortunately, it’s not cheap to feed animals this way, but doing the right thing usually comes at a cost.
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