WHAT DO YOU FEED YOUR CHICKENS?
Most importantly, our chickens are rotationally grazed on fresh forage all year long. But chickens cannot subsist on grass alone, so we give them organic, non-GMO feed from Kentucky Organic Farm and Feed Inc. We additionally make available New Organics Icelandic Kelp as a free choice to them for vitamin and mineral supplementation. And, occasionally, they get treats from our dinner table because we love our birds!
ARE THE BIRDS OR EGGS EXPOSED TO CHEMICALS OR ANTIBIOTICS?
Never! We decline antibiotics from the hatchery and we never use any throughout their lives. They're not necessary! The need for such things arises from unnatural factory farming practices which will never be employed here on Green Shanty.
Our eggs are washed with warm water and light abrasion only, no cleaners.
IF THE BIRDS ARE FREE-RANGE, WHY IS THERE A FENCE AROUND THEM?
The fence is to keep predators out, not keep the birds in. We would love for the birds to roam free with reckless abandon, and some of the ornery ones still do ;) , but that makes them highly susceptible to predation, which we've learned the hard way, more than once! We love our ladies and want to keep them safe! And since they are rotationally grazed they essentially do have access to the entire farm, just a little bit at a time.
WHAT ELSE CAN WE EXPECT FROM GREEN SHANTY FARMSTEAD?
Glad you asked!
We're currently raising meat rabbits and honing our process. We will have a handful available here and there at the market but plan to make them a farm staple in the near future.
We have a few other plans coming down the pike including honey, beef and pork, but this may take some time. We'll be scaling slowly in a manner that is respectful to this land and our family. Stay tuned!