Know your farmer. Know your food. Be part of the process.
Find a Farm Near YouMost farms operate one of two ways. They either sell you day-old chicks to raise yourself, or they sell you processed chickens from the freezer. We wanted to create something different.
Our family takes care of the daily responsibility of raising the birds — from the day they arrive until processing day. We purchase the chicks, prepare the brooder, provide fresh feed and water every day, move them to fresh pasture, protect them from predators, and monitor their health throughout the entire growing process.
Your part of the partnership comes on processing day. Rather than simply picking up a finished product, you'll have the opportunity to learn how your food is processed, work alongside us, and leave with chickens that you helped prepare for your own freezer.
For many families, it's their first experience seeing where their food truly comes from. We believe that's valuable — not only because you'll learn a new skill, but because it creates a deeper appreciation for the work, the animal, and the food that ends up on your dinner table. That's why we don't simply call it a purchase. We call it a partnership.
Each spring and summer we schedule batches of pasture-raised broilers. Reservations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, and our birds are often fully reserved before the chicks even arrive from the hatchery.
Long before the chicks arrive, preparations begin around the farm. The brooder is cleaned, fresh bedding is spread, heaters are tested, and feed is stocked. When the post office calls, we head out immediately. Every chick is individually introduced to fresh water, feed, and warmth before settling in.
Chicks remain in the brooder with unlimited access to fresh water and all-natural starter feed. We carefully monitor temperatures and bedding throughout each day to make sure they get off to the healthiest start possible. In week three we begin weaning them off the heaters so they're ready for outdoor life.
Birds move into portable shelters called chicken tractors — bottomless mobile coops that give them access to fresh grass, sunshine, insects, and clean ground while protecting them from predators. Every morning: fresh water and feed. Every evening: a move to a new patch of ground. After approximately eight weeks, birds typically reach a live weight of 6–9 pounds and are ready to process.
This is where the partnership truly comes together. We begin at 8 AM rain or shine and typically wrap up within 3–4 hours. Once everyone arrives, we'll explain the process, answer questions, and divide into work stations.
Most participants have never processed a chicken before — that's perfectly okay. We'll demonstrate every step and make sure you're comfortable before asking you to do anything on your own. By the end of the day, you'll leave with your chickens chilled in your cooler and ready for the trip home.
Processing day is a working day, not an open house. We ask that children under 10 not attend. Older children and teenagers who are ready to work alongside the adults are welcome.
Your chickens should remain on ice overnight. Allowing the birds to rest before freezing gives rigor mortis time to pass, resulting in more tender meat.
Plan to set aside time the following day — packaging a full order of birds takes a few hours and is best done before the ice starts to melt down. Make sure you have everything you need on hand before processing day so you're ready to go Sunday morning.
Enter your zip code to find a Pastured Poultry Partnership farm within 100 miles. Batches fill fast — often well before chicks arrive on the farm.
We're building a complete system to help small farms launch their own Pastured Poultry Partnership — tools, training, and a community of farms doing the same thing.
Learn about starting your own program →We look forward to welcoming you to the farm.
Bo & Michelle Roberts Pastured Poultry Partnership Network