Spring Prep

The last few weeks have been busy as we've been making calls, gathering supplies, and preparing in general for our pastured poultry operation again this year.

In less than two weeks we pick up our first batch of baby chicks. This year we're trying out an even more local hatchery, so we'll get them hours after they're born instead of day-old, and cut out the middle man (post office). It'll save some money, decrease our carbon footprint, and make life as comfortable for our chicks as quickly as possible.

Another change we're incorporating this year is a brooder box out in the pasture. A brooder is basically a transitional house for the first 2 weeks. It protects them while they're young and vulnerable, and gradually prepares them for the outdoors while their feathers grow in.

A few Saturday's ago my dad and Pete took advantage of the cold rainy weather and spent a number of hours in my parent's garage. They put some items from Dad's highly organized pack-rat collection to good use, did that male bonding thing, and at the end of the day we carted this behemoth home. I'm sure we drew a few glances driving through the square in Manheim.

The fiberglass roof allows for perpetual sunlight while the two screened doors allow for ventilation and protection from predators. And we can prop the fiberglass roof at different heights depending on how much ventilation we need.

We'll put 18" of bedding (fine wood shavings) down and use heat lamps to help maintain the warmth crucial for the chicks--they need a stable, dry, 90 degree environment for the first week especially.

Our little chickie loves the country life...so do we.  :)

This has been such a learning experience for us, and we're still learning. But it has been such a blessing to be able to grow our own meat birds. It's given us a much greater appreciation for how our food gets to the table each and every day, and deepened our respect for the animals too.

We look forward to what this year will bring...challenges and all.