Chickaletta Family Coop
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About
Our small poultry farm was started in 2021 and our flock consists of 57 hens and 2 roos. Chicken Eggs • Hand Gathered • Farm Fresh • Raised on an Organic & Holistic diet and practices • Pasture Raised & Free Ranged
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Production Practices
Pastured Free Range Antibiotic And Hormone Free Use Only Organic Materials Non Gmo Holistic Management
At Chickaletta Family Coop we practice safe and appropriate Biosecurity to keep our flock happy & healthy and take every measure to prevent illnesses and diseases.
We take as natural and holistic of an approach as possible to care for our flock. Our flock is raised on Organic feeds and organic all natural vitamins and supplements as needed. We strive to follow organic practices and requirements(1). The chickens provide food for you and I; but are also pets, and we want the best for them. "You are what you eat."
All our hen’s (and roo’s) receive ample time outside to roam and forage and are fed a life stage specific diet of organic, non-GMO, corn & soy free feed from Scratch and Peck Feeds. Due to supply chain issues, we occasionally find it difficult to get Scratch & Peck and will substitute feed for other Organic feeds such as Kalmbach Feeds or New Country Organics.
Our hens and roos are vaccinated day of hatch from the hatchery for Marek’s. After that, there are no other vaccinations. They are also dewormed as needed with HomeoPet Wrm Clear, Land of Havilah Herbals- Parasite Formula (herbal supplement added to their feed). We also supplement with pumpkin and squash seeds to act as a natural de-wormer- and the chicks LOOOOVE them!
On occasion it is necessary to supplement our hens and roos with pre/ probiotics, electrolytes, and extra vitamins and minerals in addition to what is already included with their feed. When this is necessary, we strive for the purest, most natural, and organic sources.
All stages of Scratch & Peck Feeds contain an optimum level of protein for each stage of growth. Feed is comprised of a special blend of cracked organic grains, organic flax meal, and select vitamins and minerals to provide enough nutrient-rich food to continue their journey toward becoming layers or meat birds. All ingredients are sourced from North American farms (Scratch and Peck Feeds, 2021).
Our newly hatched chicks start out on Stage One Feed: Scratch and Peck Feeds Naturally Free Organic Starter. This feed is appropriate for chicks 0- 8 weeks and ducklings 0-4 weeks. At 8-9 weeks, our chicks’ transition to Stage Two Feed: Scratch and Peck Feeds Naturally Free Organic Grower. This feed is appropriate for pullets and cockerels (female and male teenage chickens) 9-20 weeks and ducklings ages 5 to 20 weeks. When our laying hens reach 20+ weeks, they transition to Stage Three Feed: Scratch and Peck Feeds Naturally Free Organic Layer Feed 16%. This feed is appropriate for laying hens and ducks at 20 weeks of age or when laying begins. The higher levels of calcium found in this blend help to produce stronger eggshells. When our hens begin to molt in the fall and winter, we move them to Naturally Free Organic Layer Feed 18%. This feed is appropriate for laying hens ages 20+ weeks that may require extra protein to support increased egg production during molting season. This feed also contains the higher levels of calcium found in the 16% blend to help produce stronger eggshells (Scratch and Peck Feeds, 2021).
All of our hen’s and roo’s are supplemented, as needed, with life stage appropriate grit, oyster shells or sea kelp, and organic herbs. They are treated to grubs, mealworms, black sunflower oil seeds, squash seeds, and 3-grain scratch.
(1) Disclaimer: we are NOT certified organic although, we do our best to follow the USDA and NOP standards and requirements for raising organic poultry and offering organic eggs.
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