Here on the farmstead, the animals are more than just livestock. They are coworkers. Everyone has job to do. Our chickens, whether it be our laying flock or meat birds contribute. Our laying flock is our source of pest control. They are moved daily following the cows and spread out the cow manure which prevents the majority of flies and spreads that fertilizer on the pasture. They also are eating ticks, frogs, snakes, spiders, and any other small creature that so happens to catch their eye. Chickens also love fresh pasture forage. While they are doing this, they are also leaving their nitrogen-rich manure in the pastures. Now even with all that I still supplement them with organic feed. Now I only ration them a 1/4 cup each day. So with this diet, they have all those benefits passed onto the end products! EGGS! All the pests that they eat are pure protein for the most part. This creates a deep almost orange yolk. Eating fresh pasture forages helps with the overall health of the chickens. The chlorophyll found in the forages is a natural detoxifier. This helps keep all the chickens happy and healthy without any need for medications!
Pastured Poultry
When it comes to our meat chickens, they are more concentrated. They are moved daily on to fresh pasture while in our Joel Salatin style chicken tractors. They have plenty of room to roam and forage all while being protected from the elements & predators. Since they are in these tractors we are able to use their manure more effectively to fertilize our pastures. They too, like the laying flock, are rationed organic feed. Once they finish that they also forage for insects and grasses. This then is contributed to the final product. The phrase “you are what you eat”, could not be more applicable here. Eating organic feed as well as eating what Mother Nature has to offer.
Then after all is said and done you get the best, healthiest, and cleanest food you could ever hope for! Now, what did it take? It took a little time, a little skill, and an abundance of perseverance.
Chickens are one of the most common symbols of food independence. They are multi-purpose livestock animals. Most commonly they provide eggs as well as meat. I am a huge proponent of food independence. I am a firm believer that every property in America should grow something, but that is a tangent for another time. For now, let’s just stick to chickens.
Here on the farmstead, the animals are more than just livestock. They are coworkers. Everyone has job to do. Our chickens, whether it be our laying flock or meat birds contribute. Our laying flock is our source of pest control. They are moved daily following the cows and spread out the cow manure which prevents the majority of flies and spreads that fertilizer on the pasture. They also are eating ticks, frogs, snakes, spiders, and any other small creature that so happens to catch their eye. Chickens also love fresh pasture forage. While they are doing this, they are also leaving their nitrogen-rich manure in the pastures. Now even with all that I still supplement them with organic feed. Now I only ration them a 1/4 cup each day. So with this diet, they have all those benefits passed onto the end products! EGGS! All the pests that they eat are pure protein for the most part. This creates a deep almost orange yolk. Eating fresh pasture forages helps with the overall health of the chickens. The chlorophyll found in the forages is a natural detoxifier. This helps keep all the chickens happy and healthy without any need for medications!