Chickens

The chickens at Gunthorp Farms keep us clucking! Whenever we need a new “how did the chicken cross the road?” joke to take to a party, all we have to do is watch them for a few minutes. They are always ready with fresh material for us.  Seriously though, we raise Cornish Cross chickens (and a few Barred Rocks for those looking for a Heritage bird).  Our chickens spend the first 3-4 weeks of their lives in the brooding barn under the care and management of our children.  After that, they are moved out to pasture (the chickens, that is, not the kids.)   While being allowed to “day range”, the chickens still receive a mixture of corn, soybeans, and Hubbard’s Homestead mineral mix. 

Pigs

Our pigs get along pretty well with the comedic ways of the chickens. I guess they are just big HAMS when it comes down to it!

We raise purebred Durocs in virtually the same manner as the past 4 generations of Gunthorps.  Our pigs are raised “farrow to finish” on pasture.  No crates or A.I. here, we like to keep things natural and simple!  While on pasture, the pigs also receive a vegetarian diet of corn, soybeans, and Hubbard’s Homestead vitamin & mineral mix.  Because of the breed, diet, and production method, we are proudly able to say that we don’t bring you “Pork - the other white meat”.  Pork should have some coloring, marbling, and flavor!  (And ours does!) 

Ducks

Our winged friends enjoy keeping guard for the rest of the animals, and are sure to give you an earful if you show up unannounced! 

We raise Pekin ducks that are flown in from California at 1 day old from Metzer Farms.  They spend about 3 weeks under heat before they are turned loose on the pastures.  They receive the same feed as the chickens.  Our ducks are older at slaughter than most duck available.  This, and the fact that they are raised on pasture, makes them more like the duck available in Europe.