After 25 years of raising poultry for both meat and eggs on our farm, we have decided that Dan and I just do not have enough hours in our days to raise chickens and keep up with all of our other responsibilities.
For about 20 years raising chickens was a family venture with Dan doing most of the day to day management of the meat chicken operation. Our daughter, Elizabeth, took over all the chickens raised for both meat and eggs about 5 years ago.
In February, Elizabeth moved to Missouri for a one year internship on a beef and sheep ranch. Because she had been an integral part of our farm for many years, we knew that we would need to make changes. Chicken production was one of those changes.
Jeff, Paige, Abraham & Theodore
After considering options, we made the decision that the meat chickens we offer in our store, Saturday Market, will now be raised by a young family in the Kankakee area. This hard working couple are utilizing the same pasture based model and non-GMO feed program we have maintained for over 25 years.
We are excited to partner with Jeff & Paige Lambert (and their two young sons) in bringing the finest pasture-raised chicken to you and your family. As we have gotten to know them, we deeply appreciate their vision for cultivating a healthier food system while bringing vitality to the land.
Jeff is continually striving to improve his poultry operation. He is currently upgrading his brooding facility with the goal of improving the health of the birds. Here’s what he recently told us about the brooder improvement project and his goals for the upcoming season.
Our biggest project this spring—the brooder improvement project—is a key part of that. The brooder is where success begins. The better the brooder, the healthier the birds will be once they go on pasture. In the past, we’ve had some strong batches, and some that didn’t perform as well. This project is designed to eliminate that inconsistency by addressing the three critical factors: heat, air, and water.
Jeff & Abraham working on the brooder
We’re installing three 10,000 BTU radiant heaters, improving and controlling air exchange more "scientifically" (not just keeping fans on 24/7), and upgrading from bell drinkers to nipple lines for sanitary reasons. To retain heat and stabilize the environment, we’ve insulated the entire trailer: walls, ceiling, and floor.
I’m very excited about this season - especially with these improvements in place. The pasture is greening up nicely, and everything is coming together at the right time.
We want to earn your customers’ trust the same way you have over the years. Our goal is to deliver the best possible chicken we can raise - and to share our journey along the way.
We love this young family’s vision, enthusiasm, and work ethic. They have assured us repeatedly that they will do everything within their means to ensure our customers receive the same level of quality they have known and trusted from us.
It’s time to reserve your fresh chickens. There are only two dates this year that we will be offering fresh chickens and the number is limited.
RESERVE YOUR FRESH CHICKENS
If we have any excess, they will be sold as whole frozen chickens and chicken cuts in the farm store.
