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