Poultry

Chickens

We have a variety of chickens all year long including: Single Comb Rhode Island Reds, Black Australorps, Blue Wheaton & Black Ameraucanas, Partridge Rocks, and the spritely Belgain Antwerp (Self-Blue and Quail).

Early spring through late fall, the chickens are kept in chicken tractors, moveable chicken coops, that have grass runs and shelter for the hens to lay their eggs in. Each morning the doors are opened so the chickens can free range. Each evening they return to their 'tractor' to roost and we lock them in when we do chores to help prevent mid-night predator feasts (coyotes, owls, raccoons, etc). We have had an occasional day time massacre, but nothing so frequent as to keep us from letting the chickens have the benefits of scratching in the dirt, pickin' bugs and running to and fro around the field. Stan built both of our chicken tractors.

Garden & Orchard

At this point, this page is mostly verbage, but if you're curious about what have in our garden and orchard, click here. I've added a couple pictures of the Old Strawberry Patch and the Currant Patch. -- April 28th.

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Poultry Notes

*** We sell cage-free/free-range eggs. The chickens are allowed to run around the property from dawn to dusk except when there is snow on the ground, then they are kept in the barn. Dozens are an array of brown, blue and green eggs. $3 a dozen. ***

NOW HATCHING: Blue Wheaton Ameraucana's, Black Ameraucana's and Quail Belgian Antwerps.

The Black Australorps need to be separated so that I can start to incubate their eggs.

Depending on how the incubation goes, some chicks could be available for sale.

The Self-Blue Antwerp Belgians have not yet started to lay. When they do, their eggs will go straight to the incubator also!

What Does Free Range/Cage Free Mean?

Start here. This is an article from Mother Earth News. I subscribe to their magazine, but read everything with a 'grain of salt'.

This is the official USDA definition, "FREE RANGE or FREE ROAMING: Producers must demonstrate to the Agency that the poultry has been allowed access to the outside." Note that it only says 'access to the outside'. That doesn't mean that the birds actually go outside and peck around.

The USDA does not have an official definition of "Cage Free". Our definition is this: Birds are not confined in small cages containing a handful of birds, destined only to lay eggs for the rest of their life. Birds have access to nest boxes and roosts. During the winter they are kept confined, but in a big coop where they are free to mingle with the others in their flock. They have nestboxes to lay their eggs in and roosts to sleep on at night.

During the cold, snow covered winter months, our birds are kept in large 'houses' in the barn. As long as the weather is not frigid and the ground is clear of snow, the door to their coops are opened and out they go. Those that are in the chicken tractors get moved around the field every few days so that the run of the tractor is always on clean grass.

What We Feed Our Chickens

They do not 'live on the land alone'. We feed 16% Kent Extra Egg crumble which is available to them 24/7. They get scratch grain in the morning. They also have oyster shell available to them free choice (this helps to strengthen the egg shells). And of course, fresh water. During the height of summer, when the garden is overflowing with produce, they get all the by-products of my canning and freezing. Oh, do chickens love tomatoe pulp left over from making sauce! Any summer squash that have become overgrown, get cut in half so the chickens can dine on the seeds and insides.

Humane Treatment

We do not debeak or otherwise mangle the birds to keep them from pecking on each other. Given enough space and a clean environment, chickens will not cannibalize each other (chickens aren't necessarily the nicest creatures amongst themselves). Since our birds are turned loose in the morning and allowed to run freely where ever they want, they have plenty to keep them occupied so they are not interested in pecking on each other. Chickens usually peck at each other when they are bored or are in an overcrowded situation. And we NEVER force a molt! Since our chickens are outside a majority of the year, they also have the luxury of dusting themselves - something chickens just love to do.

Photos

green barn farm