Grass fed, grass finished. Our beef is all-natural and enjoys a quality of life second to none...in fact, they might even be considered a bit spoiled, as they get catered to quite a bit!
Here's a few facts about grass fed beef:
- Excellent source of high quality protein
- Grass fed provides more vitamins
- Vitamin E…one of the most important antioxidants protecting us from free radicals, boosts our immunity and may lower our risk of coronary heart disease, why? Grass and clover have 20 times more of this nutrient than corn or soy.
Naturally raised meat has:
- Lower overall fat
- Fewer calories
- More omega-3 fatty acids
- A healthier ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids
- More CLA
- More Vitamin E
- More Beta-carotene
Our "Herd Sire" is named "Goldie". He's a full Devon and came to us already named from Thistle Hill farm in northern Virginia.
Our broilers are fed a diet of non-gmo feed (i.e. - free of genetic modification) along with seeds, bugs and grass every day. They have unlimited access to fresh air and sunshine and are moved regularly to a fresh area to roam, eat and rest in.
Here's some of the health benefits based on lab tests comparing pastured poultry to regular confinement house poultry commonly found in stores:
Pastured broilers are higher in omega-3s
- Higher amounts Vitamin E
- Higher amounts Vitamin A
- Higher amounts folic acid
- Higher amounts carotenoids
- No antibiotics
- No vaccines
I'd heard and read the testimonials about how good pastured chickens tasted but had yet to try one until last week. After helping with the processing of the chicken on Elim Spring farms I was graciously awarded with some of my very own and very fresh chicken to take home.
The next night I rushed home to get started. It was the most simple and delicious meal I have ever made. I roasted the chicken for two hours at 325 with onions, fennel, carrots, and celery and the usual salt and spices. Two hours later my friends and I were reveling in the delicious fall off the bone meat and the rich flavor of the chicken. Everyone who dined with me that night agreed that it was the best chicken that they had ever tasted. I now understand the hype and all the testimonials and agree that I will never settle for briny, mediciny, confinement chcken flavor again.
Eggs
Our hens have unlimited access to bugs, seeds and grass. Research shows that pastured hen eggs are far more nutritious than those hens that are factory confined. Grass is a rich source of omega-3s.
Pastured eggs have:
- 1/3 less cholesterol
- 1/4 less saturated fat
- 2/3 more vitamin A
- 2 to 10 times more omega-3 fatty acids
- 3 times more vitamin E
- 7 times more beta carotene
- 4 to 6 times more vitamin D
We are currently producing in excess of 60 dozen eggs a week and they are available for sale for $4.00 per dozen.
Here's some shots of our birds and their mobile home - aka the Egg Mobile - as well as a sampling of other shots of our pastured broilers and heritage birds. A few brooder shots are thrown in for good measure.
Like our beef & chicken we also raise our pork naturally. They begin their time on our farm in a barn while they gain wait and get to a point where they can defend themselves against unwanted visitors. Once they get to about 75 pounds we move them out to a section of pasture - give them some shelter, food and water and let them enjoy themselves!
We have a back pasture where they are currently roaming. They get a new section periodically so they don't over work any one area. There's a mixture of grasses and shade so they can choose how to spend their day.
Like our chickens we also feed them non-GMO feed and suppliment with a variety of vegetables, eggs, and other tidbits they find appealing. We never use growth hormones, antibiotics or other synthetic elements when raising our pork.
