Many customers have asked me if I have thought about adding pastured chickens to the farm. Yes, I have thought about it in the past. But this week, I took advantage of the cold weather to think more seriously. I have not worked out all the details yet, but I do plan to begin raising broiler chickens on a small scale next spring.
I will probably experiment with a number of breeds in order to find one that works well on our pastures and in our climate (possibly starting with the New Hampshire Red, if only to show a little home-state pride). The goal, as always, is sustainability.
To make the planning managable this first year, I will probably raise only the amount of chickens I can presell. So pretty soon, I will be looking for a few hardy customers to sign up for a few hardy chickens. Let me know if you are interested.
Hardy chickens? Sign me up! We’d love to pick up a few whole birds when the time is right. (and to come check them out in the spring)
Hi Nate,
I will keep you updated to our progress!
We just bought a small (20ish acre) farm in Deerfield and would like to start raising chickens (pasture-raised on mobile hutches that are circulated around the 10 acre pasture) this spring. I was thinking of using the NH Reds. If you find a good source, please let me know.
We have not bought any yet, but our sources of information begin with the American Pastured Poultry Producers Association (http://www.apppa.org). One of their members is Harvey Ussery, who has his own web site with a wealth of info (http://www.themodernhomestead.us). Harvey recommends Murray McMurray Hatchery (http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com). Let us know how it goes!