The chickens we raise for meat are called Freedom Rangers. Late in the evening of July 4th, with fireworks going off in all directions, I hauled the freedom rangers in the above pictures to the processor. I like to haul our birds to the processor at night so the temperatures aren't stressful. And as you can see from the pictures, their daily lives aren't very stressful either. Notice that with completely full feeders, these chickens are just as happy to forage some grass and peck around on the ground for an unlucky bug. Today, less than a week later these chickens are in our freezer ready to be ordered.
I was tempted to end this week's email with the last paragraph, and not include this one. Some people have asked me not to put pictures on the email of animals that we have processed. They know what's in that plastic package was a chicken, but they'd rather not think about it. Out of sight, out of mind. I just can't do that. I don't raise plastic packages, I raise real chickens. Real chickens that live a relatively stress-free life out on pastures where they get to run, scratch, and peck just like chickens are supposed to do. Presumably, tell me if I'm wrong, our customers come back over and over to purchase our products because of the protocols we use. I want to tell you about, show you pictures of, and explain those protocols the best way I can. Posting pictures of the animals we raise helps to tell that story. A customer could theoretically purchase from our farm, get that order delivered, and still be disconnected from the source of that food. I do not want that. I want you to feel as connected to this food as I do. Ultimately, some animal has to die for us to enjoy meat. For some, that sounds like a harsh sentence. For me it raises the level of respect and reverence we should give to those animals, in death yes, but primarily in life. I share the photos so that you can share in the respect and honor we pay to these creatures.
