Here at Maverick Farms, we raise our chickens and turkeys in large indoor/outdoor brooders. The term "brooder" refers to a man-made alternative to the underside of a mama hen. Mama hens produce a lot of heat and humidity when they are "broody" ie raising chicks and poults, and we mimic that environment by providing a nice, warm, humid area for the babies to snuggle and hunker down, just like they would beneath a hen. We don't believe a chick or poult should be kept in a heated brooder exclusively though, as mama hens will take their babies 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. Their food is organically grown without the use of corn, soy or canola.
Once our chicks and poults are old enough to be off heat, we open up barriers and allow them to free roam in a large paddock. They have lots of space to grow, free choice organically grown feed, which is corn, canola 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 and turkeys have everything they need and more, to survive, thrive, and enjoy their lives. We do not unnecessarily 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, after the first few weeks of life, pending weather. 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: