Poultry Page

touch the earth farm

feed the body; nourish the soul

Poultry

Here at Touch the Earth Farm we pride ourselves on the quality of our poultry, emphasizing health and sustainability over rapid growth and double breasts, which reduce life span and depend upon artificial means of reproduction.

Our breeds are carefully selected for their ability to forage and thrive in our climate, for their meat quality, for egg production throughout the winter months, and for egg color and quality.

Free-range at Touch the Earth Farm means the birds are out walking free on large pastures, not confined to chicken tractors, pens, or houses. All our birds are free-ranged on pasture rotation, ensuring their own health as well as the health of the grasses and soil. Our birds range from dawn to dusk when they roost themselves in a range shelter for predator protection.

Confinement-raised birds never enjoy the sunlight, and many large-scale operation free-range birds still live in severely over-crowded conditions without outside access for any length of time, or remain confined within a small, outdoor pen with little room to roam. The only way to be sure what the term "free-range" means for the birds you eat is to know the farm and see for yourself.

Source: http://www.eco-labels.org

Our hens' egg yolks are a rich, golden yellow because of the high grass and protein content of the their diet. The eggs are also packed with flavor. Once you eat true free-range eggs, you'll never want to go back to pale, tasteless confinement eggs again!

Besides enjoying a diet rich in protein and nutrients from ranging, goats' milk, and kitchen/ garden goodies, our birds are supplemented with grain feed free of any animal by-products, hormones, or medications. Our birds are healthy and active with bright combs and plumage—they are truly a joy to watch!

According to a recent USDA study, eggs from true free-range chickens compared to confinement chickens tested as a hands-down healthier option with up to half the cholesterol, twice the vitamin E, four times the essential Omega-3 fatty acid, and whopping six times the beta-carotene! All that in addition to increased folic acid and B12. Nature does know best!

Source: http://motherearthnews.com/eggs and http://eatwild.com

For our heritage meat birds, we offer both Delawares and Buckeys, which are slower growing, single-breasted birds that dress out to about 3-4 lbs in 16 weeks or so.

Contrast these natural growth rates with the commercial broiler crosses bred to pack on breast weight in just 6-8 weeks—often resulting in leg and circulatory problems that make a longer life span nearly impossible. We do occasionally offer slow-growing double breasted birds, which take twice as long to grow out, do well on range, and suffer few health problems.

Touch the Earth Farm offers free-range Narragansett turkeys available for Thanksgiving. Our numbers are limited, so contact us early to reserve a delicious heritage bird for your table.

2009 Price List:

Free-range eggs:
$3.50 a dozen for large
$3.00 a dozen for pullet eggs, limited availability in early Fall

Heritage Chicken: email for prices and to reserve for early July

Slow-growing Broilers: email for prices and to reserve for early July

Heritage Turkey: email for prices and to reserve for Thanksgiving week

Narragansett Turkeys

Developed in New England, Narragansetts are one of the oldest turkey breeds. Their meat is moist and packed with flavor, and as a free-range heritage breed, tends to have more dark meat than breast meat from all their exercise. They are featured on both the American Livestock Breed Conservancy and the Slow Food Ark of Taste lists.

Buckeyes

A photo of a Buckeye and a Delaware helping prep a seed bed in the high tunnel. The Buckeye is a dark red, dual purpose heritage breed out of Ohio, the Buckeyes are known for ranging, meaty thighs, and even mouse hunting abilities. They're featured on both the American Livestock Breed Conservancy and Slow Food's Ark of Taste lists. We are hoping to breed these birds in 2009.

Delawares

As their name suggests, they were developed in Delaware in the 1940s. Like Buckeyes, Delawares are a dual purpose breed, prized for their meat and light brown eggs. They hold a place on both the American Livestock Breed Conservancy and Slow Food's Ark of Taste lists. They make a lovely dressed bird because of their white pin feathers. We are hoping to breed these birds in 2009.

Our Heritage Breed Laying Flock

We feature several rare breeds in our laying flock, including Buckeyes, Delawares, Dominiques, and Silver Gray Dorkings. We also have Ameraucanas, who lay the lovely green eggs, as well as Welsummers and Cuckoo Marans for dark chocolate colored eggs.

Farm Fresh Eggs

A beautiful rainbow of colors, every day is like Easter here at Touch the Earth Farm. The large white egg in the foreground is a goose egg, excellent for baking.