Pasture raised chicken... what does this mean?

1 day old chick in the Brooder Room

We are part of the Artisanal Chicken Program through the Chicken Farmers of Ontario. This program allows us to raise up to 3000 chickens on our farm, selling direct to consumers, through restaurants and grocery stores. This is an amazing program! Not only do we have access to some great resources and training, it also allows us to maintain a very high quality life for our chickens. Through the program we have to adhere to the CFO's regulations from everything to receiving the chicks to housing them to daily care and shipping to the abattoir. We have yearly inspections with the CFO to make sure we are doing the best job that we can possibly do! And every year we are able to improve our operation. 

Pasture raised chicken, GMO free, free range, cage free, free run... there are so many different terms used to describe how animals are raised now, so many that is often has us, the farmers confused! We are here to clear the air and explain how we raise our chickens and why we do it! 

We believe strongly in allowing an animal to express their true selves throughout their life. We allow our pigs an environment to root through the soil & chickens to enjoy dandelions and search for bugs. We believe that our animals are happier and healthier because they have access to the sunshine and fresh green pastures! Which in turn gives us a high quality meat and egg product. 

Our moveable chicken coops in the field on a summer day

Our meat chickens enjoying some sunshine and fresh grass!

Our chickens are pasture raised... 

...antibiotic free and free range. To us this means our chickens are able to move around as they please from feed to water to rest to sunshine. They are raised on fresh grass in movable coops. These chicken coops house 50 birds, allowing them access to feed, water, shade & sunshine. They are moved onto new grass every morning. These coops protect them from predators and the elements. Their diet is subsidizes with a feed ration that looks similar to a granola would for us! They are fed an antibiotic free grain ration made by our local feed mill. 

We get to work with some amazing local businesses... 

We work with our local feed mill to mix a perfect feed ration for our chickens at different stages of their development. Chicken, just like humans need different nutrients and energy sources throughout our lives. We are also thankful to work with our local abattoir, Schefter Poultry. We know and trust that their team does an excellent job processing our birds.

​We are so thankful to be able to raise chickens for you and your family. We are proud of the chicken operation that we run, knowing that our birds have a really great quality of life from the time they arrive to the farm to their last day. 

All of our chicken is vacuum sealed and fresh frozen. We have a fresh butcher date every three weeks all summer!