To a great extent, our food choices shape the world around us. Arguably the most exceptionally flavourful fresh chicken and eggs money can't buy in Ontario are available to you.
Eggs $5/doz, raised on certified organic feed (Master Feeds, as of Fall 2014.)
We're currently not taking orders for the 2015 broiler (meat bird) season.
We've always raised our meat/laying birds on pasture without medicated starter/grower by using apple cider vinegar/lemon juice instead of medicated starter in the brooder and moving the pens daily to prevent Coccidiosis. In spring 2014 we switched to certified organic feed with considerable trepidation.
Our laying hens eat 5 bags of organic feed per month, about 1.5 tons per year. Conventional layer feed costs about $16 per bag, while Organic 18% layer costs $29.40 per bag From Ritchie's Feeds, Elmvale (Dec. 2014). 120 meat birds go through 2.2 tons of feed (about 100 bags) in 10-11 weeks, at a cost of about $1,000 per ton.
We eat these chickens /eggs as well. For us, the main factor was the possibility of antibiotic and hormone traces from red meat abattoirs in the protein used in conventional chicken feed. Also, it's comforting to know our feed choice means several acres of land somewhere is not killing bees or emasculating frogs. A growing body of research shows pesticide passes through the feed to the chicken meat/eggs and to the organism consuming it. Also the effects of GM feed detailed in a recent research paper from the UK based Soil Association was troubling. So In Sept. 2014 we switched from one organic feed producer (that in our research did not have adequate organic grain storage facilities to prevent microbial growth eg mouldy feed, which is not regulated in Canada) to Master Feeds Organic short pellets for the layers. Though we'd prefer not to support Master Feeds in general because they are a huge producer of non organic feed and by association a supporter of CAFO's.
Because our small scale is provincially legislated and organic certification is not required for under 5k in USDA revenue, we haven't gone through the certification process. However, you're welcome to visit us in Coldwater, and check out the 'operation' at any time, and check our feed labels, and see the hens, which in our opinion trumps certification.
Typically we raise two batches of 130 Cornish cross broilers, one ready mid July and another batch mid Sept. The Chickens are processed and packaged at Morrison custom Poultry; a provincially regulated facility in Omemee, Ontario. They are inspected upon arrival and during processing by an Ontario government official. We raise them to their full potential of 9.5-11 weeks, normally weighing about 5-8 pounds finished.
Also available seasonally, sustainable apples and maple syrup.
Eggs $5/doz, raised on certified organic feed (Master Feeds, as of Fall 2014.)
We're currently not taking orders for the 2015 broiler (meat bird) season.
We've always raised our meat/laying birds on pasture without medicated starter/grower by using apple cider vinegar/lemon juice instead of medicated starter in the brooder and moving the pens daily to prevent Coccidiosis. In spring 2014 we switched to certified organic feed with considerable trepidation.
Our laying hens eat 5 bags of organic feed per month, about 1.5 tons per year. Conventional layer feed costs about $16 per bag, while Organic 18% layer costs $29.40 per bag From Ritchie's Feeds, Elmvale (Dec. 2014). 120 meat birds go through 2.2 tons of feed (about 100 bags) in 10-11 weeks, at a cost of about $1,000 per ton.
We eat these chickens /eggs as well. For us, the main factor was the possibility of antibiotic and hormone traces from red meat abattoirs in the protein used in conventional chicken feed. Also, it's comforting to know our feed choice means several acres of land somewhere is not killing bees or emasculating frogs. A growing body of research shows pesticide passes through the feed to the chicken meat/eggs and to the organism consuming it. Also the effects of GM feed detailed in a recent research paper from the UK based Soil Association was troubling. So In Sept. 2014 we switched from one organic feed producer (that in our research did not have adequate organic grain storage facilities to prevent microbial growth eg mouldy feed, which is not regulated in Canada) to Master Feeds Organic short pellets for the layers. Though we'd prefer not to support Master Feeds in general because they are a huge producer of non organic feed and by association a supporter of CAFO's.
Because our small scale is provincially legislated and organic certification is not required for under 5k in USDA revenue, we haven't gone through the certification process. However, you're welcome to visit us in Coldwater, and check out the 'operation' at any time, and check our feed labels, and see the hens, which in our opinion trumps certification.
Typically we raise two batches of 130 Cornish cross broilers, one ready mid July and another batch mid Sept. The Chickens are processed and packaged at Morrison custom Poultry; a provincially regulated facility in Omemee, Ontario. They are inspected upon arrival and during processing by an Ontario government official. We raise them to their full potential of 9.5-11 weeks, normally weighing about 5-8 pounds finished.
Also available seasonally, sustainable apples and maple syrup.