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New Free-Range Poultry Guidebook
From: Michael Cote' <cote.1@osu.edu>
Announcing a new guidebook for small farmers: "Free-Range Poultry
Production, Processing and Marketing"
The new guidebook, "Free-Range Poultry Production, Processing and
Marketing", written by Herman Beck-Chenoweth and developed with the
assistance of a USDA/SARE Producer grant, describes an innovative way of
producing and marketing "natural" poultry and eggs.
Free-range poulty production was the popular way to raise poultry in the
United States from the 1930's to the 1960's. With the expansion of
industrial agriculture this low cost, small family farm production system
was phased out here in the United States, but has enjoyed continuing
popularity in Europe. Unlike the pasture method which is based on portable
confinement pens with grass floors, the free-range system can produce
healthier birds, in larger quantities, more humanely and with much less labor.
Using the free-range poultry method, long portable skid houses, which hold
up to 400 chickens each, are towed by tractor to new locations on the
pasture every few weeks as needed. The wooden skids are enclosed by poultry
wire, have litter covered floors and tarp covered gable roofs, and doors on
both ends. The only required fencing is a strong perimeter fence to keep out
stray dogs and predators. Birds are locked on the skids at night for
protection from predators. Full construction plans for skids, feeders and
other equipment for both are included in the book. Additional sections of
the guidebook, which is made up of a three ring binder, cover artificial
insemination, incubation, hatching and brooding of chicks and poults. Two
other big sections include first- hand information about processing rules,
procedures, equipment sources and marketing with sample promotion materials
including price lists, order forms and advertising. The book has been
designed to enable a neophyte producer to build a substantial farm business
with limited capital investment. Whether a farmer is just starting out or
is ready to graduate from "pastured poultry" this guidebook will be helpful.
The free-range production model has proven itself well suited to direct
marketing and appeals to consumers interested in "natural" poultry and eggs
produced without antibiotics and growth promotants.
The guidebook is available from Herman Beck-Chenoweth for $39.50 plus $4.50
s/h at:
Back Forty Books
26328 Locust Grove Road
Creola, OH 45622
FAX: (614) 596-3079
Herman Beck-Chenoweth and wife, Linda Lee, produce free range chickens and
turkeys, eggs and vegetables and market them to buying clubs, restaurants,
and directly from their farm in Creola, Ohio.
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Michael Cote'
Ohio State University Tel (614) 890-2369
208 Ag Admin Bldg Fax (614) 292-7007
2120 Fyffe Rd
Columbus, OH 43210 COTE.1@OSU.EDU
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