Net $25,000 in Six Months on 20 Acres by Joel Salatin
Advice from a farmer experienced in raising poultry for profit If you’ve ever yearned to farm for a living, then raising pastured poultry might be the ticket to your success. Poultry is a staple in American homes, but the typical chickens we purchase at the store are not particularly healthy–or tasty. Poultry are intensively raised in confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and subject to great stress, an unhealthy diet, and “supplements” to aid their growth, such as antibiotics and arsenic. Additionally, the processing of such poultry results in a bird with up to 10 percent of its weight comprised of fecal-contaminated water from chill tanks! It’s no wonder that pastured poultry is becoming increasingly popular to those who care about their health, humane animal husbandry, return of the family farm, and the pleasure of the taste buds. Pastured chickens still receive a mix of grains but, more importantly, they are set out on pastured grasses and moved daily to forage for greens and bugs. Pharmaceuticals are not typically needed, because these chickens enjoy exercise, sunlight, and nutritious, species-appropriate food. And their manure builds the fertility of the soil instead of becoming future food for cattle. Salatin claims that it is possible for a couple to earn a living on a farm working only six months per year using his tried-and-true model. In Pastured Poultry Profits, he shares his years of experience raising these delicious, healthy birds, including: Choosing a breed Acquiring chicks Caring for chicks in a brooder When and how to move chicks to pasture Housing in the brooder and in the pasture Potential diseases and how to treat them nutritionally Dealing with the weather and predators Labor and feed requirements Essential supplements Equipment for slaughtering Instructions on how to slaughter and process Composting slaughter waste Marketing Other poultry livestock possibilities I would very much like to see this book updated and professionally published. The pictures are of poor quality and need updating. A section with building plans for the various houses Salatin describes would be very appreciated. Recommended reading for anyone who’d like to humanely raise healthy and delicious poultry for profit.
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AuthorMarilyn Foster is a founder of this blog about education and books. She is a professional essay writer and takes part in write my essay contest, conducted by Edusson. Marilyn attended a prep academy in Washington, D.C. ArchivesCategories |