Chicks on Grass

Around here, you know it’s spring when the chicks arrive.  It’s kind of like watching for the first robin or the swallows.

Spring is arrived when the phone rings and it’s the Post Office and they say, “You’re chicks are here!” 

Spring isn’t the best time for brooding chicks. Really, August is the best and easiest time. When we’ve had hens hatch out nests they often do it in August, providing new little hens that’ll start to lay right off in the spring, so that’s a good system. However, if we get our meat birds that late we’ll miss out on chicken through the summer. So, we sstart brooding chicks in March and enjoy fressh chicken in June.

Another perk to this timing is the spring grass.  The first grass in the spring is lush and rich. It helpss us keep the chicks healthy thanks to the vitamins and minerals and clorophyll in the grass. All that rich nutrition translates into FLAVOR. Have you ever had chicken you didn’t have to season at all and it tasted amazing? We can tell the chickens from the first batch because they are the most flavorful. 

Any reason to have to be outsside in the spring is great, and the chickens provide that, as well. The chicks in the brooder get tended three times a day. The chickens in the tractors (mobile pens) get tended twice a day. The kids do most of it, as part of our character development program. Well, it’ not a formal “program” but the farm is great for teaching kids reliability, responsibility, problem solving, building and other skills, and appreciation for life. We don’t have to preach or prod too much. The feedback they get in the form of healthy, happy chicks (or not) is more reinforcing than anything we parents may say.  

Spring is here! Chicks are on grass. Life is good.

Are you ready to raise your own pasture