What is Pastured Poultry?
From left: Chicken tractor, Cornish-Cross chick at two weeks, and full-grown Cornish Cross — all from Nieder Farms.
A Different Approach to Raising Chickens
Pastured poultry quite literally means, raising poultry on our pasture! Using a chicken tractor (shown above), we move our chickens to fresh grass every day, and feed them a corn mix 1-2 times a day to support growth. The chicken tractor offers safety from predators, as it’s surrounded not only by chicken wire but also an electric wire, as well as shelter from the rain and shade from the sun on warm days. Each chicken tractor measures 12 feet by 8 feet, offering up to 25 chickens plenty of space to move around, spread their wings, and engage in natural behaviors.
Better Treatment, Better Chickens, and Better Land
There are a variety of reasons why pastured chicken is beneficial – from nutrition, to humane treatment, to building sustainable relationships with our farm and our livestock. Below are a few reasons why we think pastured poultry an excellent choice.
Natural Sunlight & Fresh Air
Pastured chickens are exposed to natural sunlight and fresh air, which are vital for their physical and psychological health. These factors contribute to better quality of life and better quality meat.
Reduced Stress
Pastured chickens experience less stress, leading to healthier and happier animals. They are able to express natural behaviors, resulting in improved overall well-being. Even during processing, which we do ourselves at the farm, we prioritize keeping our chickens calm and treating them humanely.
Nutrient-Rich Meat
Pastured chickens are exposed to a diverse range of food sources (plants, seeds, grasses, bugs), which typically results in meat that is higher in essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and Omega-3 fatty acids. Studies have shown that pastured poultry tends to have better nutritional profiles compared to conventionally raised chicken. We never use antibiotics, hormones or any other additives on our poultry. Allowing them to grow up naturally in an open-air environment with fresh grass and bugs each day keeps them perfectly healthy for us.
Sustainability & Biodiversity
Pastured poultry systems promote a more sustainable use of land. The rotational grazing approach prevents overgrazing and promotes soil health. Our chickens encourage the diversity of plant species in the pasture, will naturally help us reduce flies and unwanted weeds, and contribute to a healthier ecosystem. In our first year, we’re using our chickens to fertilize and prepare the location for a new orchard!
It’s Local!
You can drive past our farm and see the chickens on the pasture for yourself, come pick up your chickens on the farm where they were raised, and know exactly how and where your food was raised. Supporting local farms - especially one focused on sustainability - helps support the local economy and ensure that you can keep eating locally raised food for years to come.
