What’s Happening in April / A Few Nutritional facts on Pasture Raised Chicken

The Cut Flower Garden

More seeds are being planted every day! Such a busy time, Getting the ground ready to plant and getting seeds started, It’s a whirlwind or activity! This year we are changing a bit of our focus. We are spreading out our planting area, not really growing more but giving ourselves more room to be comfortable. The beds are a bit narrower, less stretching over the beds, less back ache. More divided flower areas. More definition between flowers types.Last year we tried to cram too much in a tight space, which led to areas that were not easily accessible with wheelbarrows and carts. This made weeding nearly impossible! So I’m just giving myself more room to move around and enjoy.

We will have a large amount of Baby’s Breath this year. I spoke with another flower seller near by who mentioned having a hard time finding Baby’s Breath, and having the same experience ourselves last year for a few weddings. We decided to plant multiple plantings of it throughout the season to have a continual supply and we are in the perfect climate to grow it.

Vegetables

The veggies are being started right along with the flowers and the green house is filling fast at this point. Onions are in the ground, and I finally feel safe that I can plant a few more hardy plants like Kale and lettuce. I’m one that likes to be safe rather than sorry and will hold plants longer in the greenhouse rather than plant and lose them. We had a couple of nights just last week that hit the low 20’s.

Beta Hatch

We are participating in a study for Beta Hatch. If your not familiar with the company it is local to our area, located in Cashmere, WA. Their facility grows and converts mealworms and their byproducts into high-performance nutrients for animals and plants.

The product we are using is called Frass. An organic byproduct of the mealworms. We are using the Frass on flowers, vegetables and the alfalfa field this year. Our study will be comparing the Frass treated plants with plants that are treated with regular compost made from mostly cow manure and wood chips.

We will be applying with a compost tea style application, spraying directly onto plants. We will compare growth rates of plants and yields of product, flowers and vegetables. As well as pest pressure throughout the season, longevity and overall health of plants. We are super excited to be participating in this study!

Chicks

Our second batch of chicks came this week from Murray McMurry Hatchery. These are egg layers, and will be providing this falls chicken eggs.

We actually took a season off from egg layer chickens last year after we had a raccoon problem. We have had ducks over that time and just used and sold duck eggs. I’m excited to have chicken eggs again this year, mostly because the clean up of the actual egg is much easier. Ducks are messy critters! They love the mud and it shows when you collect the eggs.

Meat Birds

The first batch of meat birds are growing fast and looking great! They are getting close to the half way point already. Only 4 weeks to go till processing, I can’t wait to have some fresh chicken in the freezer! They have so much more flavor than what you get commercially.

Here are a few facts about pasture raised chicken to ponder on…

Pasture-raised chicken tends to have higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, essential for heart health, brain function, and reducing inflammation in the body. This is because they have access to a variety of foods in their natural environment. This includes grasses, seeds, and insects, which are rich sources of omega-3s. Plus the feed they are eating is soy and corn free, non-GMO and organic.

Pasture-raised chickens tends to have higher levels of vitamin D than commercially raised chicken. Because they have access to sunlight which helps them produce vitamin D in their skin. Vitamin D is important for maintaining strong bones and teeth, supporting the immune system, and reducing the risk of chronic diseases.

Commercially raised chickens are often given antibiotics and hormones to promote growth and prevent disease, which can potentially lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and other health risks. Our Pasture-raised chickens will not be given antibiotics or hormones, which makes them a healthier option.

I hope you all are enjoying some nice weather finally and getting your gardens ready! Happy planting, Happy Growing,

Jen