Our target date to order the first batch of broilers is set for March 17. This would give us a butcher date around the last week of May. When the first batch reaces 2-3 weeks they will hit the pasture. It is at this time that we intend to bring in a second batch. The order and butcher dates on this second batch is yet to be determined. If there are any readers in this area (Ozark and surrounding counties of Missouri), feel free to contact us to place an order.
The reason for our order dates is simple, really. The key to Pastured Poultry is grass. Any earlier and there is not enough grass for them to consume. Studies have shown that Pstured chickens are naturally lower in saturated and monounsaturated fats (the bad stuff) and higher in Polyunsaturated fats (the good stuff). This is due to grass consumption, not the grain they receive.
In fact, if the birds can't go to pasture as soon as possible, then they cannot be called "Pastured Poultry" and can claim none of the benefits. Another point is that these Cornish X birds are a hybrid and are suceptible to disease and chill.
Look for them come March. Thanks.
Feel free to email us of post comments here.
Scott
3 comments:
Do you have any experience with a local hatchery?
Barry
Hi Barry,
Yes, actually we do. We buy from Estes Hatchery in Springfield MO. They are about an hour and a half North of us and the closest. Although, we still just order them and receive them in the mail. We have had very good experiences with them except the last batch of layers we bought. We went with "production reds" and they seem to be anything but. I think we will go back to R.I reds or N.H. reds this year. I hope you see this and if you would like, you can email me direct at sppowers@iglide.net, in case I didn't answer your question here. Thanks for commenting and I hope you are enjoying what you read.
Thanks for the reply! Yes that's what I was looking for. We're getting ready to put in our order for this year.
Barry
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