We did it folks. We took the past 3+ years to raise broilers for our own freezer and have had varying amounts of success. Like a lot of things on a farm, even with the vast knowledge now available on the interwebs, we stubbed our toes a few times along the way but ultimately was successful in putting non GMO, non corn and non soy poultry into our freezer.
We spent a lot of time researching and ultimately deciding on what we think is the best feed. We bought and salvaged a variety of chicken tractors (Craigslist finds etc.) and although they worked for the most part, we had many repairs to make along the way due to our undulating ground here and the wet that we are known for in the Puget Sound also created problems with the wood these coops were mostly made of. We watched the peeps on YouTube who are growing birds successfully around the country and took a lot of inspiration from them, implemented the poultry netting to let the freedom rangers roam and lost a few to aerial predators (my new favorite term).
Sounds like a lot of work but was it worth it? We say yes it was.
Our last batch of meat birds, half Cornish Cross and half Freedom Ranger started at 25 and were whittled down to 22 on butcher day. Many of our cross clocked in at over 5 pounds after the head, feet, feathers and innards were removed! They were some of the most beautiful deep pink I have ever seen. They didn’t have that palish yellow that we are used to seeing from the supermarket birds. They looked awesome!
We created a plan and executed it with all the help and mentorship from so many people. On butcher day, we shrink wrapped some whole birds, spatchcocked others and broke down the rest into breasts, wings, drumsticks and thighs. All of the bones we put into “stock kits” and shrink wrapped those as well! We are ready to go!
The above experiential knowledge coupled with good friends and help from the community, plus some major upgrades in equipment have given us confidence to raise poultry for YOU! That’s right. We are going to raise birds throughout the year and will take pre orders from YOU, the community! If you are interested in finding out more and joining the email list of when these birds will be ready in late 2024 and beyond, contact us below!
