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| About Our Process Beginning To End |
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 Brooders are prepared each time a new batch of chickens arrive. The top layer of soil is removed using a backhoe and transported by wheelbarrow to a compost pile. A fresh coat of sawdust is brought in and dumped.  The sawdust layer is smoothed out. Feeders and water will be added just before the chicks are placed in their new brooder.  The chickens are picked up from the US Post Office and brought to the monastery farm.    The chicks are quickly moved from their boxes and their beaks are dipped into water while a blessing over them is privately said. The silver trays on either side of the water has grain for the baby chicks.  In winter, chicks are brought to a heated brooder and are immediately given water and food.  In the spring, summer and fall, baby chicks are started in open air brooders.   These are 4-week old birds and are now old enough to go outside. This was their first day outside in the pasture. The brooder door is left open and the chicks are free to go in and out of the brooder until dusk. To protect the chicks from predators the doors are closed at night.  At around four weeks of age, chickens are transferred from the brooder to a pasture pen.  Chickens are free to roam around the pen. The pasture pens are moved daily to provide fresh grass for the birds. Keeping the chickens in pasture pens protects them from predators.  To move a pasture pen, wheels are place on a metal pin built into the pens, one on each end of the width.  Metal pipes are inserted on the opposite side and the pen is lifted and moved daily. Our dog, Benedict, was on hand to help keep the chickens from slipping through the bottom of the pen while moving them. He also guarded over them at night.  We formulate our own feed using a special blend mixed at Little Portion and ground up with the grinder. The ground mix is then transported to each brooder and pasture pen to replenish the chickens' feed.  The chickens are given fresh feed and water twice daily. When the broilers are mature enough (8 weeks) they are taken to a USDA-approved commercial processor. The community always gives thanks to God for the gift they are to us and bless the chickens on their way. 
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