OVERVIEW of 2008 Season

NOTE: Although in our 2.5 years here in Esparto, we have never used herbicides, pesticides, or other chemicals on our land, we are not a certified organic farm. In order to keep our birds affordable, we are not currently guaranteeing our birds will be raised on 100% organic chicken feed. We do guarantee our birds are raised on pasture without medications, antibiotics, GMO feed, arsenic or any of the other nasties that most poultry fed. We use organic preventatives to raise healthy birds, and would love to discuss them with you if you are curious!

Broilers

For 2008 we will be growing multiple batches of meat birds. The birds will be available fresh from our farm and delivery locations from the end of May through November. Actual dates will be posted as we know them. Our birds will be available by placing an order on our site. If there are no birds available when you place your order, we will contact you and place you on our waiting list.

Information on how to receive your birds is available on the Prices and Pick-Ups page.

Broiler Batch 1: Ready May 30 & 31, 2008

Broiler Batch 2: We have decided to hold off on ordering our second batch of chicks, as the pasture will need time to become re-established following our grading project.  Future batch dates will be listed as soon as we know!

We will be growing several breeds including:

  • The Golden Ranger hails from the famed Label Rouge program of France. We expect these birds to average 4.5 pounds and be the most flavorful, as these birds are bred to excel on pasture
  • The traditional full-breasted Slow Cornish-Cross birds will be the largest, likely averaging 6 pounds with good flavor and very moist. These will be the most familiar to you - similar shape to what you see in the grocery stores.
  • The Red broilers should be the happy medium - averaging roughly 5 pounds, great flavor
We chose these specific breeds as they take slightly longer to reach maturity - approximately 10 weeks, as opposed to the standard 6-8 weeks - which means their taste is richer and deeper than traditional breeds.

Turkeys

Later this year, we hope to try our hand at raising heritage turkeys for Thanksgiving. As these birds need 4-5 months of growth, we will post more information prior to July.

Eggs

We have just ordered our first batch of egg layers. We will have Rhode Island Reds, Marans, Welsummers, Brown Leghorns, Black Sex Links and Ameraucanas. These ladies should start laying sometime in August of September, when they are five months old.

This mix of breeds was chosen in part for their ability to lay eggs, and for the color of their eggs. As they mature, we'll be sure to post pictures of the white, brown, chocolate, copper, blue and green eggs!