Our Philosophies - Poultry

Here at Maverick Farms, we raise our chickens in large indoor/outdoor brooders. The term "brooder" refers to a man-made alternative to the underside of a mama he. Mama hens produce a lot of heat and humidity when they are "broody" ie raising chicks, and we minic that environment by providing a nice, warm, humid area for the chicks to snuggle and hunker down, just like they would beneath a hen. We don't believe a chick should be kept in a heated brooder exclusively though, as mama hens will take their chicks out for adventures in the grass quite often. For this reason, our brooders have a warm indoor area, and an outdoor area with foliage to peck at, specially formulated food to snack on, fresh water to drink, and lots of room to run, play and flap their wings. 

Once our chicks are old enough to be off heat, we move them into a large covered pasture. They have lots of space to grow, free choice organic feed, which is corn and soy free, and unlimited access to fresh spring water.

We believe that happy animals produce healthy food, and we do our best to make sure our chickens have everything they need and more, to survive, thrive, and enjoy their lives. We do not vaccinate our birds, and the land where they are raised has never been sprayed with chemicals or synthetically fertilized.

How much access to outdoors do your birds have?

Our poultry is never contained to indoors, not even for the first few weeks of life. Once they are fully feathered they head outside full time with lots of shade, free choice food, and unlimited water! 

How do you ensure ethical treatment of poultry on your farm?

Our birds:

• are raised outside, free range, allowing natural behaviours and a fulfilling life
• are not physically altered such as beak trimming
• are protected from predators, removing the need for confinement
• are handled and transported to butcher by us personally
• enjoy their lives, scrapping around in the dirt, eating worms and foraging