By pasture ranging our heritage flock, we bring our chickens beyond the free range and intensify their scratching, foraging and exercise.
Our Cornish and slower growing Poulet Rouge meat birds — as well as our mixed flock of laying hens — live in portable hoop houses that are moved through pasture on a regular schedule timed to the seasons, the weather and the density of the fields. Because pasture-ranged chickens are constantly moved to fresh ground, they live and feed on always-lush, always-healthy grass and plants.
Pasture ranging chickens takes extra time (unlike “free ranging,” where the birds may go as they please), but it’s worth the work to ensure that what’s left behind enriches our fields, and never damages the soil in heavy concentrations. This helps our pastures thrive and diversify with a rich variety of grasses and legumes, and plenty of yummy bugs and critters.
This fresh, active diet is not only better for our chickens, it’s better for you. Studies show that pasture-raised eggs are tremendously higher in beta carotene, folic acid, vitamin B-12 and Omega 3s, and much, much lower in fat and cholesterol than those from conventionally raised birds. And, our chickens are happier too.
We also work closely with a local mill to custom grind our feeds, so that our chickens’ diet only features quality ingredients and locally produced grains. The health and well-being of our birds is our first concern. We never use antibiotics, hormones or arsenic on our flocks.