The Growing Process: Start to Finish

I’ve been getting some questions about the process of raising and processing meat chickens. I really love how curious customers are about how their food is grown here at JB’s, so I thought a quick synopsis of the whole process would be beneficial!

Weeks 1-4… chicks arrive at the post office through USPS Priority Mail and are brought back to the farm. They will spend the first 3-4 weeks of life in the brooder with access to heating plates, plenty of non-gmo feed, and fresh water.

Weeks 4-10… the chickens move out to pasture in “chicken tractors”. The chicken tractors have no floor but provide shelter from predators and the elements. Having no floor allows them access to fresh grass, and to be moved daily so they never run out!

At 10 weeks… the chickens are transported to Wilcox Poultry to be processed, packaged, and picked up later that day. The meat is brought back to the farm to be stored in our freezer room, inspected and licensed by the state of Michigan, until our customers arrive for pick up!

Any further questions can be asked through the forum on our home page, or the JB’s Pastured Produce Facebook page!