Hogs
There are few hog breeds and mixes we have yet to try, but have stuck mostly to heritage breeds. In the past year or so we have been very impressed with Duroc and Duroc crosses. The do amazingly well on our wooded pasture - producing amazingly well marbled meat while not being overly fatty. And with the exception of one grumpy sow they have been quite friendly!
All of the hogs we raise are sourced within Ohio; if not born right here on the farm. After a brief quarantine period the hogs are put to pasture where they are free to root to their little piggy heart's content. While we do supplement with local non-GMO feed the pigs have free choice pasture at all times. Rain, snow or sunshine all of our animals are allowed to decide for themselves if they would prefer to snuggle in the straw out of the weather or wallow in the mud.
All of the hogs we raise are sourced within Ohio; if not born right here on the farm. After a brief quarantine period the hogs are put to pasture where they are free to root to their little piggy heart's content. While we do supplement with local non-GMO feed the pigs have free choice pasture at all times. Rain, snow or sunshine all of our animals are allowed to decide for themselves if they would prefer to snuggle in the straw out of the weather or wallow in the mud.
Chickens
Our Cornish crosses are so much more fun than most people are led to believe. While they are bred to grow very fast, we do not have leg or heart issues here. No steroids, no hormones, no antibiotics in these chicks! They forage just like any heritage breed and each batch has its very own quirks. This past year as soon as they heard me walking up the entire 350 flock would come running up to the nearest corner of their fence. Only slightly terrifying. Only slightly.
Chicks are picked up in Cincinnati at a day old and immediately put under heat lamps. At that age they have to have an ambient temperature of 95°F! The chicks are kept in the brooder until they are fully feathered and then straight to the grassy pasture. Our Cornish cross are free ranged and moved to fresh pasture weekly. They are provided shelter from wind, rain and the sun. They are also supplemented with local non-GMO feed.
Like our customers, we believe these birds are the most tender, juiciest things we have ever had the pleasure of eating. There is no end to the beautiful dishes you can make!
Chicks are picked up in Cincinnati at a day old and immediately put under heat lamps. At that age they have to have an ambient temperature of 95°F! The chicks are kept in the brooder until they are fully feathered and then straight to the grassy pasture. Our Cornish cross are free ranged and moved to fresh pasture weekly. They are provided shelter from wind, rain and the sun. They are also supplemented with local non-GMO feed.
Like our customers, we believe these birds are the most tender, juiciest things we have ever had the pleasure of eating. There is no end to the beautiful dishes you can make!
Ducks
We have two different types of duck - egg laying and meat ducks. We prefer Pekins for meat and Khaki Campbells for eggs. Much like the chicken, we source our ducks in Cincinnati, feed them local non-GMO feed and free range on fresh pasture weekly. Ducks are unique in the way they are MESSY! For that reason we do not raise the ducks with any of the other poultry. And thank goodness we have automatic waters in the summer because they drink a lot!
Duck eggs are bigger, the yolks richer and the whites firmer than your store bought chicken egg. They are highly prized for use in baking, but we love them simply fried as well. Or better yet - salt cure the yolks for a special treat.
Whole ducks are great for a small holiday meal or grab one of our duck breasts and make prosciutto!
Duck eggs are bigger, the yolks richer and the whites firmer than your store bought chicken egg. They are highly prized for use in baking, but we love them simply fried as well. Or better yet - salt cure the yolks for a special treat.
Whole ducks are great for a small holiday meal or grab one of our duck breasts and make prosciutto!
Turkeys
This year we will have ground turkey as early as July! For Thanksgiving turkeys we will be raising Artisan Golds for the smaller heritage birds and Broad Breasted Whites for the big guys. We are very excited to get into the more traditional broad breasted turkeys.
Like the rest of our poultry the turkeys are free ranged on fresh pasture, fed local non-GMO feed and are sourced in Ohio. And cuddled. Can't forget the turkey cuddles.
Like the rest of our poultry the turkeys are free ranged on fresh pasture, fed local non-GMO feed and are sourced in Ohio. And cuddled. Can't forget the turkey cuddles.
Livestock Guardian Dogs
Due to predation pressure we have had to invest in a couple livestock guardian dogs (LGD). Meet Brutus and Goliath! They are a pair of bonded littermates that we got alllll the way in North Carolina. They have singlehandedly made the biggest difference in poultry losses we've ever experienced. These two are gems - happy in the house or out in the field. Brutus is a bit of a goof while Goliath is more stoic.
The boys are Anatolian Shepherds which is a breed from Turkey. They are double coated like the more popular Great Pyrenees, but suffer far less in Ohio's humid summers. The other stand out feature for us was their life expectancy is 15 years which means they'll be around for a good long time!
The boys are Anatolian Shepherds which is a breed from Turkey. They are double coated like the more popular Great Pyrenees, but suffer far less in Ohio's humid summers. The other stand out feature for us was their life expectancy is 15 years which means they'll be around for a good long time!