Frequently Asked Questions
What animals do you raise?
We currently raise, process, and sell pasture-raised chicken on our farm. We also raise woodland-raised pork which is processed at a USDA inspected facility.
How are your chickens raised?
We purchase our chicks from a local hatchery and pick them up the day after they hatch. They are then kept in a brooder for three to four weeks, depending on weather conditions. After that time has passed, they are then put out on pasture into chicken tractors where they spend the rest of their time. We move them daily onto fresh grass where they can forage for things chickens eat. They are supplemented with non GMO, soy-free, corn-free feed that we purchase from a local farm supply store. All of our chickens are processed in our on farm licensed processing facility.
How are your pigs raised?
Our pigs are raised in large wooded paddocks with constant access to fresh water from an underground spring and free choice feed that we buy from a local feed mill.
Are your animals vaccinated?
NO! Our animals never receive any vaccines or antibiotics. Our pigs are wormed as piglets and as needed throughout their life.
Who processes your animals?
Our chickens are processed on farm at our licensed facility by our family! Our pigs are processed at Potts Family Meats, a USDA inspected facility in Jefferson, GA.
Tell me about your beef.
We offer both grass-fed grass finished beef and grass-fed grain finished beef. Our grass finished beef comes from Rose Hill Farm in Elberton Georgia. Rose Hill raises some of the best South Poll cattle in the country and we are lucky to carry their ground beef. Our grain finished beef is grown and processed by Potts Family Meats in Jefferson Georgia. They have generations of time and experience in their cattle and it shows on your plate. We carry all cuts of their beef and also offer half and whole shares.
How much beef will I take home from a whole or half share?
The average hanging weight is 800 lbs on a whole or 400 lbs on a half. The typical yield in take home beef is roughly 60% of the hanging weight depending on cut selections!
Tricky Sales Tactics Used By Others
Since beginning our journey in farming, we have seen a lot of other businesses attempt to trick people into thinking their product is superior to big grocery store chains' products by using deceptive labeling and marketing tactics. I'm going to share some of the tricks and marketing tactics they use, plus questions you can ask to avoid being tricked into paying more for the same thing you could get at any grocery store. Labels: "All Natural" - This label doesn’t mean anything about how the animal was raised. According to the USDA, it simply means the meat was minimally processed and contains no artificial ingredients, added color, or preservatives. It says nothing about vaccines, GMO feed, antibiotics, or living conditions. So “all natural” chicken can still receive vaccines, antibiotics, and GMO feed, and can still be raised in large confinement houses. Broilers live on litter 24/7, meaning they walk, eat, and rest on the same bedding where they continuously defecate. That litter breaks down into dust and ammonia. Birds inhale fecal dust, dander, and ammonia gas their entire lives. The label only applies to post-slaughter processing. Marketing Tactics: One misleading marketing tactic is when a business advertises their product as "locally raised" but sources chicken and other meats from large distributors. The business isn’t technically lying. The USDA defines "locally or regionally produced" as food raised, produced, and distributed within the same state or within 400 miles of where it’s sold. So the average chicken in Georgia traveling less than 200 miles from plant to table can legally be called "local," even if it came from a massive commercial facility you’d never consider a "local farm." Another marketing tactic we see is "heritage pork." Heritage pork just means the pig is from a "heritage" breed. For example, Yorkshire is a heritage breed and is a common breed used in commercial pig farming. Heritage breed alone doesn’t guarantee how the pig was raised. The pigs can be kept in large barns with limited space. Tail docking is also common in confinement systems to prevent tail biting caused by stress and boredom. The label by itself only tells you genetics, not husbandry. Another thing we have seen, believe it or not, is a small local business flat out lying about their product. So, when you see someone advertising "locally raised" or "heritage" meats, ask them these questions. If they are reluctant to answer, refuse to answer, or don’t answer the question directly, it’s safe to assume they were attempting to mislead you: 1. Which farm was this animal raised on? 2. How was the animal raised? 3. Was the animal raised in confinement? 4. Did the animal receive vaccines or antibiotics? We don't intend to bash any particular farming style, but we do intend to inform you about your food and help you ensure that you are getting exactly what you think you are.