OUR PASTURED BROILERS
Our irish dexters
We raise Cornish Cross. Our pastured chickens are raised on sunshine, fresh air, and fresh forage in addition to GMO-free local grain and amendments like kelp and organic apple cider vinegar. After they graduate from their brooders, they are transferred to chicken “tractors” - a portable shelter with no floor and protected by temporary electric fencing. The result is a very flavorful, healthy meat, and a chicken with a happy, healthy life.
The Irish Dexter is known as the smallest cattle breed (other than true miniatures, which are really small!). Dexters are native to the southwestern region of Ireland in County Kerry, where they were loosely kept by small landholders, in an almost wild state of nature. There they learned to thrive in mountainous regions in all weather, on whatever forages were available. They provided both wonderful meat and milk to the homestead while other breeds in large commercial herds served the broader market. They are hardy and resilient, yet both meat and milk are of exceptional quality and taste. Its been said that "Dexter tastes as beef used to taste."
The Irish Dexter is the quintessential homestead cow. It is a triple-purpose animal, producing beef, excellent milk for the family, and use as a draft animal to plow or to haul loads. The Dexter’s temperament is so gentle that they can be handled by children. They are excellent mothers, rarely requiring help in calving.
The Dexter's small size makes for a family cow that can thrive on less pasture than a modern breed, full-size cow. Another advantage of the smaller frame bovine is that it’s found to be more efficient, requiring less intake per pound of growth, or per gallon of milk produced, than larger breeds.