We raise chicken in bottomless pens on grass pastures. The pens are called chicken tractors. We move the tractors every single day. No kidding. Its a lot of work, but its the only sustainable way to ensure consistent top quality with meat chickens. You simply have to force them to move to new forage on a daily basis. We are convinced that any shortcut to the daily move rule is going to result in lower quality birds that foraged less and don't have that special flavor we are striving for. here's what it takes to raise good chicken: -a clean fresh dry pen every day -a clean water supply that doesn't stop, clog, or get dirty -cool shade in the day, a warm microclimate at night -plenty of organic chick starter at least 21% protein -a good start in the brooder phase with enough room to run around, good ventilation and no stress from drafts, lack of water or food, predator attacks The ideal for us is to end the chicken's lives on the the farm, and with many of our direct marketed birds that's what we do. We feel good about being able to maximize life quality and minimize stress from start to finish. This is a good reason to order a bird or just show up at one of our chicken pickups. We take some birds to the processing plant also as necessary. We now have 2 lines of chicken: Felton Acres: a Jumbo CornishxRock fed grass pasture (never sprayed) + Modesto Milling Organic chick starter (domestic Organic grain only) $5.50/lb.  Silva Star: a Freedom Ranger (European meat bird hybrid) fed grass pasture (never sprayed) + Modesto Milling Organic soy free chick starter (same rules, but soy free) $6.00/lb.  |
   |
Felton Acres Inc. >
Chicken |