Pasture Raised Poultry

Egg Layers

Our started pullets come from Moyers Hatchery in PA. Once at the farm, they are about 17 weeks old and almost ready to start laying eggs every day. We get them right out on the pasture and acquainted with the existing layers. They quickly learn where to eat, drink, lay and roost for the night. Throughout the year, they are rotated every few days as they follow the cattle through the pastures cleaning up after them and laying beautiful, nutritious and delicious eggs. 

A Mother Earth News study found that compared to industrially raised egg layers, pasture based eggs had: • 1⁄3 less cholesterol• 1⁄4 less saturated fat• 2⁄3 more vitamin A• 2 times more omega-3 fatty acids• 3 times more vitamin E• 7 times more beta carotene• 4-6 times more vitamin D 

Broilers

It's all about the grass at GVF and this holds true for our broiler chickens as well. While chickens and pigs are not ruminates like cattle, they still need to be in the pasture to maintain health and a natural environment. The broilers arrive at GVF as day-old peeps from Moyers Hatchery in PA. They are placed in the brooder house for protection, with access to GMO-free feed and fresh water. They will spend about 4 weeks in the brooder house until they are ready to take on the elements out in the pasture. The broilers are then moved out to the pasture in our chicken tractors. Here they will have access to fresh grass, bugs and dirt as they are moved daily through the pasture. This keeps them clean and healthy with plenty of fresh air and sunlight.