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!
I was talking to my daughter this evening about U.S. chickens being sent to China for processing. I remember reading a cook book by one of the great chefs stating Not to handle raw chicken without gloves but look at it as covered in excrement. Please let me know when you start selling chicken. Not very appetizing remarks. Sorry if I offended
We do sell chicken! We actually began selling pasture raised chicken in 2010. You can pick one up at our farm store or order a subscription for the summer!