Chickens Take Mattituck

 
 
It was a busy week for us at Browder's Birds. Chris and Dennis successfully moved three of our five Prairie Schooners - that house our laying hens - from Southold to Mattituck.  It was quite a feat and you can find more pictures of the move on our Facebook page. We are very excited to announce that Browder's Birds has a new and permanent home in Mattituck.  We'll give you more details in the coming months!
 
 
Meanwhile, Holly was attending the New York State Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in Syracuse this week as a Long Island Farm Bureau delegate. It is important for farmers on Long Island to stay involved in all issues of farming that affect New York state as well as the NYFB's position on those issues.  As one farmer put it, "If you are not at the table, you are probably on the menu."  
 
Our farmstand is now closed for the season. Locally, our organic eggs are available for purchase at Fork & Anchor General Store Provisions & Ingredients  and The Village Cheese Shop.
 
 
Holly & Chris 

Today is a Big Day!

 
 
This afternoon we will undergo our annual Certified Organic inspection administered by NOFA-NY (Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York). 
 
The inspection is typically rigorous, thorough, yet cooperative.  While we have a certain amount of angst related to this important event, we understand that having a third party approved by the USDA inspect and certify us annually as organic gives us credibility when we say our chicken and eggs are certified organic.  
 
These days, the term "organic" is thrown around without much thought regarding what it means.  Many farmers say that they follow organic practices, but how do you really know?  If that's true, why aren't more farms certified?  At least if your farmer is certified organic, you know that there is an organization that audits your farmer and insures to the best of their ability that the products are in fact, in compliance with organic practices.  We complain about the audit trail and the paperwork we must maintain, but we understand why it's important and we support the discipline required.  
 
One week soon, we will discuss what exactly it means when we say our chicken and eggs are certified organic.  We think you will find that interesting.  Wish us luck!
 

Birds and the Bees


This week we added two beehives to our farm. We'll keep two types of honeybees - Italian and Carniolan.  The Italians are gentle bees and excellent honey producers.  The Carniolans originated in Middle Europe, are extremely docile and are good builders of wax honeycombs. We're happy to report the bees approve of their new home and immediately set to work collecting pollen from a field of early Golden Rod blooms.  We look forward to offering local honey to our customers soon!

The Sag Harbor Express has published a great Harvest Magazine this month. There is a piece on North Fork 'Meat with a Local Pedigree' that talks with the farmers at McCalls Ranch, 8 Hands Farm and Wells Farm.  And check out the article on Browder's Birds and 'Chicken 101'.
 
Our organic eggs continue to sell out quickly each week so please come early to purchase them at your local farmers' markets!
 
Holly and Chris

RAISE YOUR OWN BACKYARD HENS


PRESENTATION BY HOLLY BROWDER AT THE SAG HARBOR FARMERS’ MARKET ON JUNE 29, 2013

CONSIDERATIONS

1.       TIME:  FED, CLEANED UP AFTER, LET OUT EACH MORNING AND LOCKED UP SAFELY FROM PREDATORS AT NIGHT.  EGGS NEED TO BE COLLECTED DAILY.

2.       MONEY:  BULK OF COSTS ARE START-UP:  COOP, FEEDER & WATERER AND CHICKEN FEED.  AND THE CHICKENS THEMSELVES. 

3.       SPACE:  BASED ON SIZE OF FLOCK BUT IN GENERAL FOR BIRDS W/OUTDOOR ACCESS 2 SQ FT PER BIRDSIN THE COOP AND 4 SQ FT PER BIRD IN THE RUN. CONSIDER INCREASING THE SPACE PER BIRD I THE COOP IF YOU PLAN TO KEEP THEM THROUGH WINTER AND PERIODS OF INCLEMENT WEATHER KEEP THEM ‘COOPED UP’. 

4.       NUMBER:  CHICKENS LAY JUST ABOUT AN EGG A DAY SO DETERMINE HOW MANY EGGS YOU WILL NEED TO FEED YOUR FAMILY WHEN DECIDING HOW MANY CHICKENS TO RAISE.  SINCE THEY ARE SOCIAL ANIMALS SO PLAN FOR AT LEAST TWO BIRDS.

 
 
BREED
OVER 200 BREEDS OF CHICKENS THAT RANGE IN WEIGHT FROM 1 TO 12 POUNDS.  BREEDS VARY IN TEMPERAMENT AND CLIMATE NEEDS. 

EGG COLOR DETERMINED BY BREED: 
    WHITE: LEGHORNS
    BROWN: RHODE ISLAND REDS, NEW HAMPSHIRE REDS
    PASTELS: ARAUCANA

HEAT TOLERANT -  RHODE ISLAND RED, LEGHORN

COLD-HARDY -  ARACUCANA, PLYMOUTH ROCK

BOTH – NEW HAMPSHIRE RED AND BRAHMA


ROOSTER? ONLY NECESSARY TO BREED CHICKENS; OTHERWISE JUST PLAN TO REPLENISH YOUR STOCK AS HENS AGE; ALWAYS A DOMINANT FEMALE THAT WILL MAINTAIN ORDER

 

CHICKS, PULLETS OR HENS
ORDER CHICKS IN THE SPRING AND THEY USUALLY ARRIVE IN THE MAIL; WILL NEED TO BE KEPT IN A BROODER FOR ABOUT 16 WEEKS 

PULLETS ARE CHICKENS BETWEEN 16 AND 20 WKS OLD; MUCH CLOSER TO LAYING (AROUND 6 MONTHS)   

MATURE BIRDS:  PURCHASE HENS ALREADY LAYING FROM A FARM YOU TRUST; WILL LAY FOR ABOUT 2 YRS THEN EGG PRODUCTION WILL DROP OFF
**RESOURCES:  MOYERS CHICKS  www.moyerschicks.com  OR LOCAL AGWAY

 
 

HOUSING:
PURCHASED OR DIY COOP:  NEST BOXES, ROOST, VENTILATION, SECURE DOOR

CONSIDER A CHICKEN ‘TRACTOR’ (ON WHEELS)
**RESOURCES: CHICKEN COOPS  45 PLANS FOR HOUSING YOUR FLOCK BY JUDY PANGMAN

FEED:
TYPICALLY PURCHASED IN 50 –LB BAGS; CONSIDER ORGANIC (NO GMOS, NO HERBACIDES, PESTICIDES AND CARCINOGENS LIKE ARSENIC) AND STORE IN A BRUTE CAN WITH TIGHT-FITTING LID TO KEEP OUT MICE, RATS AND RACOONS.

ALLOW DAILY FORAGING

TABLE SCRAPS: FRUIT, GREENS, WEEDS, STALE BREAD, COOKED MEAT SCRAPS.  NO SPOILED/MOLDY FOOD, FISH, CITRUS.

ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER AT ALL TIMES

GRIT (GRANNY GRIT) OR SMALL STONES/PEBBLES

PREDATORS:
ON LONG ISLAND, HAWKS, OWLS, FOXES, WEASELS, RACOONS AND CATS/DOGS.  MOST ATTACKS OCCUR AT NIGHT SO ALWAYS CLOSE UP YOUR HENS SECURELY AT DUSK.  CONSIDER AN ELECTRIC FENCE TO CONTAIN YOUR HENS AND KEEP PREDATORS OUT DURING THE DAY. 

**RESOURCES:  PREMIER 1   www.premier1supplies.com

 

 


A SAMPLE DAY OF RAISING YOUR OWN HENS: 

MORNING:  LET CHICKENS OUT OF COOP, FILL WATERER AND FEEDER

AFTERNOON:  COLLECT EGGS, CLEAN AND REFRIGERATE

EVENING: REPLENISH WATER AND FOOD; LOCK UP HENS AT DUSK

Chicken Barbecue from South Carolina & Backyard Hens in Sag Harbor

We've had several friends visit us from the city and beyond this past week, including Chris's buddy from college, Mark.  Not only did Mark assemble our new grill but he also christened it with a South Carolina-style barbecued Browder's chicken.  It was delicious and we are including this secret recipe, handed down to Mark 30 years ago, since it would be perfect to serve at your 4th of July party:   
  
 
 
FARMERS' MARKETS and FARM HOURS
This Saturday, find Holly at the Sag Harbors Farmers' Market and Noah at the Greenport Farmers' Market.  Chris will be at his usual post at the Westhampton Beach Farmers' Market.    
 
We will miss the Shelter Island Farmers' Market for this Saturday only and we apologize to our loyal Shelter Islanders.  
 
Information on all of our markets this season can be found on our website and updated regularly on  our Market Calendar. 
 
 
Holly will give a special talk on the topic of Raising Backyard Hens at the Sag Harbor Farmers' Market at 11:00 am this Saturday.  If you can't make it, check out the interview with the Sag Harbor Express.   
 
On farm sales available this Saturday afternoon from 3:00 - 5:00 PM and on Wednesday, July 3rd from 3:00 - 5:00 PM during our CSA Pick-up. Remember to pick-up your chicken for the 4th of July!  
 
 

New Lambs and Opening Day at Shelter Island


Our baby lambs went out onto pasture today to help mow down the tall grass as a result of all this rain.  We expect to have lamb available for sale in December and again next Spring.   Be sure to check our facebook page to see more pictures of their first day on grass.   
 
FARMERS' MARKETS
This Saturday, June 15th is Opening Day at the Shelter Island Farmer's Market!   Also find us on Saturday on the North Fork at the Greenport Farmers' Market and on the South Fork at the Westhampton Beach Farmers' Market.   
 
Information on all of our markets this season can be found on our website and updated regularly on  our Market Calendar. 
 
Red Broilers will be available this Saturday!   Our "Reds" are slower growing chickens with more dark meat and richer flavor.   If you prefer legs & thigh-meat than this is the chicken for you.  
 
If you are looking for a great Father's Day dinner, check out the Brick Chicken recipe on our website.  Our Browder's Blends organic dry rubs for sale at the markets and online also make a great gift.  
 
On farm sales available every Saturday afternoon from 3:00 - 5:00 PM and on Wednesdays from 3:00 - 5:00 PM during our CSA Pick-up.   
 
You can also purchase our organic eggs at Fork & Anchor General Store in East Marion and at Provisions & Ingredients in Peconic.  
 
CHICKEN & EGG CSA
Full chicken and egg shares should pick-up at your designated market on Saturday.  As a reminder, half shares should pick up if they skipped the previous Saturday.
 
CSA pick-ups are also available on Saturday & Wednesday from 3:00 - 5:00 PM at the farm.  Or just stop by during those hours and visit with the baby chicks in the barn. They'd love to see you!
  
Have a great weekend and eat local!
Holly & Chris
  
  
 
 
 

Farmers' Market & CSA News plus a North Fork film Premiere!

At the farm we are looking forward to having our first batch of lambs out on pasture this coming week.   Be sure to check our facebook page to see the first pics! 

 FARMERS' MARKETS
This Saturday, June 8th find us on the North Fork at the Greenport Farmers' Market and on the South Fork at the Westhampton Beach Farmers' Market.   

 Information on all of our markets this season can be found on our website and updated regularly on  our Market Calendar. 
 
 
Red Broilers will be available in limited quantities this Saturday - please plan to come early to the market to purchase one.  The "Reds" are slower growing chickens with more dark meat and richer flavor.  The Cornish Cross, our White Broilers, offer more white meat and more chicken breast. 

NEW!  We are offering cuts of organic chicken at our farmers markets. Look for organic chicken breasts, thighs, drumsticks and wings for sale.  We also offer chicken liver and chicken hearts (our cats love hearts).  If you like to make your own organic chicken stock, ask for specially-priced bags of chicken back & neck.  Feet always available by advance reservation.  

On farm sales available every Saturday afternoon from 3:00 - 5:00 PM and on Wednesdays from 3:00 - 5:00 PM during our CSA Pick-up.  Please note that if we sell out of chicken at the farmers' markets only eggs will be available for sale on the farm. 
You can also purchase our organic eggs at Fork & Anchor General Store in East Marion and at Provisions & Ingredients in Peconic.  

CHICKEN & EGG CSA
Full chicken and egg shares should pick-up at your designated market on Saturday.  As a reminder, half shares should pick up if they skipped the previous Saturday.
CSA pick-ups are also available on Saturday & Wednesday from 3:00 - 5:00 PM at the farm.  Or just stop by during those hours and visit with the baby chicks in the barn. They'd love to see you!

GROWING FARMERS
This Saturday at 3pm at the Cutchogue Library there will be a screening of the documentary film, Growing Farmers, followed by a panel discussion that will include Chris.  Please come out and see this film at its North Fork premiere!
If you can't make it on Saturday, you can still watch this important film by downloading the link on our website.
We look forward to seeing you this weekend!
 Holly & Chris