Church View Farm
A Sustainable Artisan Farm
Pastured Poultry
Pastured Poultry is a production system in which chickens are raised directly on pasture. This includes egg production from pastured layer hens as well as the raising of pastured broilers or meat birds. Eggs produced from pasture are far superior to grocery store eggs. Grocery store eggs have pale yolks and are runny; they are often months old. Many consumers do a side by side appearance and taste comparison, at which point they never purchase another egg from the grocery store. Farm fresh eggs are also far superior for baking and any other culinary purpose. The model has been developed over the last twenty years and allows the birds to receive up to 30% of their feed intake from pasture forage. The birds are moved regularly to fresh pasture, with the use or portable pens and movable fencing. This allows the birds to be raised in a cleaner, healthier environment. Pastured poultry is raised the old fashioned way; on fresh green pasture and wholesome grain. Our broiler processing is done at an Amish farm in Pennsylvania in a clean healthy, sanitary environment. Many customers order their freezer-ready poultry in advance, assuring them a truly farm-fresh product and revitalizing the farmer-consumer relationship; a long lost aspect of our American heritage. Meat birds are generally 4 1/2 to 6 1/2 pounds although occasionally we will have larger roasters in the 7-9 pound range. People have been raising poultry on pasture for centuries. In fact most domesticated poultry was raised out doors until the 1950s when large confinement operations were begun. With vertical integration of both meat and egg production by large corporations in recent years the vast majority of poultry is now produced in huge factory confinement farms. Many farmers and consumers question whether health, safety and humane treatment of both farmer and animals have been compromised in these large operations. A number of growers have chosen to raise their poultry using elements of traditional systems, combining outdoor movable shelters and utilizing pasture and range, to produce a high quality, farm-fresh, all natural product. The pastured poultry movement has found great support among consumers for these high quality products. Producers continue to see a growing demand for pasture raised poultry and eggs.
Our layer chicken flocks include Aracauna, also know as the easter egg chicken, as well as Dominiques, a Heritage breed. Broiler chickens are generally White Rock or Cornish Cross. Eggs are available year round and are $2.50/dozen. Broilers are available generally from June though December and are $2.50/pound. Be sure to check the Church View Farm Blog for any current specials.
