Our Trip To Greenfire Farms

Last week the Chicken Scratch Poultry farmers took a road trip to Florida to visit the Greenfire farm and pick up some new breeds to work with on our farm.  It was a beautiful drive down and their road that lead to the farm was so pretty draped with in moss.

When you pull up to the farm you will need to wait at the gate for someone to let you in.  We need a gate at our farm.  You wouldn't believe how many people pull right up to our barns and just begin their own farm tour without ever even knocking on our door to see if we are around.

It was so interesting to see how another poultry farm works and operates.  I found that we are very similar in the hatching, vaccinating and shipping of chicks.  The one difference that I seen is that they don't raise up started pullets like we do.
What I was most curious to see was if they kept their flocks as small as they claimed and yes they do.  So if you wonder why it takes so long to get your chicks from us or them that is why.  We are working with small flocks also and when you get your chicks you will see the difference that it makes.  I often hear from our customers about how big and healthy our chicks are compared to large hatchery chicks.

With their warm climate in Florida they are able to keep their breeders outside all year long with no need for a 

barn.  

This is one of the new breeds that we picked up while we were there.  They are Malines.  If you notice they are the only birds here on the farm with their faces smashed up against the fence wanting attention.  Super friendly birds and suppose to be really good egg producers.  I think we're going to love this breed. Can't wait to share it with you!

We also picked up a couple others breeds but I'll share those in another blog.

This is their incubator room.  Lots of eggs in there getting ready to make some customers very happy.  

This is the room where they raise up new breeds. They mostly import  hatching eggs from other countries and not full grown birds.  It was very interesting to hear how they do it all.   

Hope you enjoy this peek into the Greenfire farm.  Please  keep in mind no matter where you order your chicks from, it's a stressful and busy time of year for farmers.  It doesn't make them able to go any faster if you call them weekly to check on your order and we can't make chickens lay eggs or grow any faster than what they already do :)  Please be patient with whatever farm you order from, It takes time to raise up beautiful birds and fill numerous orders.

Have a blessed spring!

Angie