Green Circle Farm Animals
Green Circle Farm is dedicated to raising our animals in the most humane, sustainable, natural way possible. Our small animals live on pasture, protected from predators by electric net fencing. We use moveable shelters to provide them protection at night and during inclement weather and shade during the heat of summer. Our animals are moved frequently to fresh, clean pasture where they can forage for the insects and plant foods that help produce the highest-quality, most nutrient-dense meat and eggs.
Based on our first-season experience with animals that are highly-bred for high production, Green Circle Farm has transitioned to more traditional, heirloom breeds like our Freedom Ranger broiler chickens and our Black Astralorp, Golden Laced Wyandotte, Speckled Sussex, and Welsummer layers, and Broad Breasted Bronze turkeys. Though somewhat slower-growing and lower-producing, these breeds are hardier, forage better, and produce higher-quality meat and eggs, do better on our old-fashioned soy free feed, and a prone to fewer problems. In addition to pasture forage, our poultry receives soy free organic feed and organic whole grains. The vast majority of our feedstuffs are grown locally, many on Mickley Organic Farm, where we are located.
Though we do not have our own breeding stock of lambs, we have been fortunate to find a local source of young lambs raised by their mothers on grass. When they reach our farm, they are raised on pasture during the warm months and organic hay and vegetables during the winter.
Our beef is raised entirely on pasture at Willow Springs Farm. Though not certified, the farm and herd have been managed organically for ten years. The calves are born on farm and raised by their mothers. The cows are mixed breed, including Limousin, Angus, and Hereford.
