Raising Chicks. At Old Plank Farm we raise the majority of our chickens from hatchlings. They spend their early days in the brooder, a warm house protecting them from weather and predators. Here they grow up on unlimited organic feed, rich with probiotics and natural mineral supplements. Old Plank Farm’s feed is made from certified organic grains, along with Fertrell¹ brand natural supplements. Fertrell has the highest standards in the industry of organic products. By caring for our birds from day one, with our own special ration, we can ensure that each flock of chicks will grow into healthy, productive hens.

Rotated Pasture. Simply crack open an egg to see their story! The bright, full yolk is a sign of ample fresh pasture in our hens’ diet. After brooderhood, their days are spent roaming the pastures at Old Plank Farm, ingesting fresh greens and grubs, both essential parts of chicken health. Pasture plus organic grain amounts to top quality eggs.

Naturally Healthy Birds. Our hen-raising model allows us to avoid the common crutches used in the egg industry (by both conventional and organic growers). Through careful planning and observation of our laying flocks we are able to prevent any widespread health problems that could occur. The nesting and feeding sites are kept clean by simply moving them to new pasture on a regular basis, and letting the sun (a natural sanitizer) do the rest of the work. Thus no vaccines or antibiotics are needed to maintain bird health.

Naturally Clean Eggs. Hens lay eggs in nests specially designed to keep the eggs clean. This allows us to pack most of the eggs in cartons without having to wash them. By avoiding contact with water, eggs retain their natural protective coating that prolongs shelf life. No chemical treatments necessary to enjoy our eggs long after they have been laid.

No Beak-Trimming. Beak trimming, a common practice for both conventional and organically raised birds, is another crutch that we avoid. A long, sharp beak helps our chickens to peck through the pastures more effectively. These birds have enough space, fresh air and sunshine to keep them happy and stress-free, thereby eliminating their desire to peck at each other and eliminating the need to trim their beaks.

Winter Get-Away. When our pastures are no longer green, the hens move into a greenhouse. Here they wait out the winter in animal luxury. Visit this temporary henhouse on a sunny January day and you’ll find hens dust-bathing (a favorite hen pastime) in a balmy 70-degree room, heated only by natural sunlight. No dark, dank, cold chicken coops at Old Plank Farm! Greenhouses are a great alternative to vacationing in Florida for the winter.

Right in Plymouth. You can visit the hens without leaving town. These birds are raised on our farm just outside of downtown Plymouth on County Road C. This 25-acre farm gives the hens plenty of room to run. They are also an integral part of our diverse organic vegetable production, providing the fields with valuable natural fertility. Purchase our eggs from Goodside Grocery in Sheboygan, Cafe 1505 in Mequon, from numerous CSA farms in the area, or stop by Old Plank Farm and purchase from our roadside produce wagon, July through September.

Non-Industrial Organics. Old Plank Farm’s hen-raising model far exceeds national organic standards, which allows for industrial-style egg farms to qualify as certified organic. The Cornucopia Institute published an article in October 2010 detailing the flaws of many large-scale organic egg producers. In “Scrambled Eggs: Separating Factory Farm Egg Production from Authentic Organic Agriculture” researchers shed light on the poor living conditions faced by hens who, because they are eating organic feed, lay “organic” eggs. These hens are often crowded into large buildings, sometimes with flocks as large as 85,000, where outdoor access amounts to a small cement patio accessible by only about 1-2% of the flock². These organic confinement facilities are over-taking the egg industry, but Old Plank Farm is here to offer a better alternative for truly organic eggs.

 When the sun comes up and the roosters start crowing, you can be certain that the hens of Old Plank Farm are already hard at work creating the best eggs in town.