Happy Chickens

We get our locally and naturally raised free range chickens from Rocky Ridge Ranch in Reardan, Washington. Gary & So Angel are quite a team as they work together to bring to market chicken, beef, duck/chicken eggs, wooly pigs and all kinds of greens and veggies in the summer months. You can buy their duck eggs and frozen chickens now at the Spokane winter Farmer's Market at the Community Building from 1 pm to 5 pm on Thursdays.

We love the way So describes the chickens. She says, "I love my chickens. They walk around, they eat, and they're so happy." We've never met someone so enthusiastic about the mental health of chickens. So is also good for human mental health because you won't get through a purchase without a warm hug and an encouraging smile.

Gary has told me some interesting information about non-free range chickens. He explains that they have been bred through the years to plump up so quickly that they can't stand on their legs, so they spend their short lives sitting in a cage. He also clarified something for me about hormones. I've seen signs that describes some poultry as hormone free but then I've also heard that all chickens are hormone free. Gary explained to me that it's not that they are injected with hormones, but that when chickens are raised packed together in small spaces the stress they experience causes them to release hormones. I guess it's kind of like when we are stressed our bodies release adrenaline and cortisol.

Maybe the opposite is also true. Just like when we are happy we release happy hormones, So's happy chickens have all sorts of good happy hormones running through their systems.

I'm sure there are a variety of perspectives on this. Maybe someone can add more information or give a different perspective.

Comments

[Keith]

This is so great!

[Karen Momany]

My supply of Wilcox milk disappeared last week at Albertson's and I have been wondering where to get my milk and what brand to buy. All I can find is Darigold in its place.. So I googled Darigold to find out if it is hormone free, local etc and somehow I found your website with all your info on the Spokane milk supply. I am going to go visit Behm's tomorrow since we are down to our last gallon. I am pleased that they also sell the cheapest milk. Your website is great. I am interested in your food preservation class. Where are you taking this class? When we bought our house 18 years ago I decided I wanted an edible yard for our family. We usually eat fresh and I make my own jams and syrups.I also dry my own fruits. But I am interested in preserving more. I will check your website periodically for more info. So nice to see someone else is interested in similar ideas. Loved the video on gardening your lawn!
Thanks
Karen

[craig]

Karen,
Glad you found the site. The master food preserver class is through the WSU extension office nearby the fairgrounds. I'll be posting regularly on the preserving class. Hope it's helpful info. It sounds like you have quite garden.
Blessings

[Judy]

Did you see this article?
http://www.newsweek.com/id/168740/page/1