Cornerstone Farm
Ventures
|
Cornerstone Farm
|
|
|
PASTURED POULTRYClick on button below for information on information on poultry processing, miscellaneous poultry information, Poultry Rations, how to deal with Coccidiosis in poultry, Soy Free Poultry rations, as well as going to the poultry processing equipment page.
What is Pastured Poultry? Pastured Poultry is a production
system based on a model developed by Joel Salatin of Swoope, VA. It employs
raising chickens in bottomless cages directly on pasture.
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 poultry
is raised on fresh pasture and feed, with no growth enhancers of any kind. This
also allows the birds to be raised in a cleaner, healthier environment as the
cage is moved daily. The other aspect of the model is that all processing is
done on the farm allowing for value adding by the producer. By not moving birds
off the farm and incurring costs associated with custom processing this allows
for greater profit potential. Brooder Stage Order the chicks through the mail and they are delivered to your post office where you pick them up. They are in the brooder for a 3-week period. The brooder must be draft free and rodent and animal proof. Keep the chicks warm (90O for the first week), clean and dry and ensure proper carbon-nitrogen ratio throughout the addition of wood shavings. This will eliminate odor, promote natural decomposition of manure and will ensure a healthy environment. Begin to introduce grass clippings to the chicks at 2 weeks to prepare them for pasture. Out to Pasture At 2 to 3 weeks of age move chicks to a mobile grazing shelter
with approximately 1.5 square feet per bird per grazing shelter.
Move the shelter a minimum of once a day. Provide water, feed, and fresh
pasture for approximately 5 weeks. Feed should be a 22-28% protein broiler
ration available at most feed stores. Keep feed and water in front of them at
all times. Check birds mid day in
the event of extreme heat (90O and above) and raise side of cage to
allow for better ventilation.
Processing
In
approximately 8 weeks, birds will yield from a 3 to 7 lb. carcasses. Processing
should be done on-farm to maximize profits. Volunteer to assist an existing
producer to learn the process. There is a reward system built in, by processing
in the morning and selling fresh in the afternoon you receive payment at time of
sale and have cutout the middleman.
Why
Raise Pastured Poultry?
Who
Should Raise Pastured Poultry?
Agricultural
entrepreneurs with a self motivated personality, a willingness to adopt a new
production and marketing model and livestock.
A minimum number of acres are required.
Getting Started
You
are ready to go!
This system is based on Joel Salatin’s Polyface, Inc. book “Pastured Poultry Profits” For More Information On Pastured Poultry Click On The Links Below
JOIN *Some products are available for UPS
Shipping call
Toll free: 1.800.249.1585 or We Ship NationwideIn New York State to order or for more information Cornerstone Farm Ventures
|
|
This page was last updated on 05/12/2008
•
| ||||||
